BionorthTX, the North Texas organization that promotes the development of life sciences economic development in the area, has named Harold Strong as president and CEO.
Strong joins bionorthTX at a time of escalating interest in the region’s life sciences innovation and industry development. Founded just two years ago, bionorthTX has more than 80 members, including multinational corporations, start-up companies, and major research universities.
“Our region is a global leader in life sciences industry development and university research,” Mr. Strong said, “and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to its growth.”
Strong, along with the expansion of the bionorthTX’s board of directors reflects the organization’s own growth from a start-up founded in 2015 to becoming a regional trade association, according to the group.
Strong brings to bionorthTX vast experience in developing partnerships between universities and industry, defining and executing economic development plans, and developing and managing business incubators. He served as director of the University of North Texas Discovery Park and the school’s technology transfer department; and he was executive director of the Texas A&M University Research Park. He also is a board member and past president of the Association of University Research Parks.
Joining the bionorthTX expanded board are François Fournier, president of North America Advanced Wound Care at Smith & Nephew; Dr. Duane Dimos, vice president for research at The University of Texas at Arlington; and Maxwell Lea, managing director at Fort Worth-based DFB Pharmaceuticals.
“Mr. Strong has the leadership and industry experience to help us take bionorthTX to the next level,” said Kay Tieman, the organization’s cofounder and former chief operating officer. “I look forward to working with him to expand membership and marketing of bionorthTX and the region’s life sciences industry. The incredible growth of bionorthTX shows how important the life-sciences are to the economic health of our communities, and I am very proud I could play a pioneering role in this organization.”
Tieman, who has been named vice president of sales and marketing of AmeriPac, Inc., a Dallas-Fort Worth-based FDA regulated contract packaging, relabeling, and distribution company, will remain on the bionorthTX board of directors and executive committee.
BionorthTX is about embark on its second annual iC3 Life Science Summit Oct. 26 at the University of Texas at Arlington’s College Park Center. The day long summit will feature 32 expert speakers from industry, academia and government focused on the themes of Innovation, Collaboration, Capital Formation and Commercialization. More than 400 executives, scientists and local elected officials are expected to attend.
North Texas is home to 1,000 life science and medical technology related companies, six major universities and more than 26,000 industry professionals.
http://bionorthtx.org/life-science-summit/