Track and follow our Side Car series devoted to Seattle's biggest influencers as they answer questions related to brands, campaigns and themselves. To learn more about these amazing thought leaders, we invite you to check back every Thursday.
Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association
- What do you love about your company's/organization's brand?
Life Sciences in WA state is one of our top 5 industries today, growing strong and with tremendous potential. It has been enjoyable to reposition the WBBA and life sciences in the state. WA can become a global leader in this sector with coordination and teamwork!
- What aspirations do you have for the future of your brand?
I am not sure aspirations is the best term. If we are successful, our sector will become recognized in the same context as; Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon and Starbucks. When we get there in Olympia and with WA citizens, we will have done our job.
- Do you see campaigns that inspire or depress you?
Health care reform is at the top of the list. I don't have an opinion that this reform inspires or depresses me. Life sciences will adapt to the ultimate legislation in the US, it will definitely have an impact on our sector and our state. That being said, I believe that WA is in a very good position based on our leadership in Global Health (this community has been working on delivering health care at a reasonable cost to parts of the world for the last several decades that did not have health care before), personlized medicine, medical devices, biotech and the work that's happening in bio-ag and bio-fuels in our state. I believe that by partnering with our GH community, and other leadership areas of R&D, we will learn a lot, and become the US leader in many of these areas, which will create thousands of jobs. In speaking with my colleagues in markets with companies that are much larger, they are struggling to try to replace the losses due to M&A (such as Genentech/Roche Astra/Medimmune, etc.). We have a long way to go, as well as a very bright future ahead of us if we focus on supporting this sector.
- If you weren't doing what you do now for a living, what is it you would like to be doing?
Wow, great question. I played basketball in college and had an opportunity to play overseas and in South America. I decided to go to grad school instead, which ultimately led me to my career in life sciences. That being said, I am too old and have really bad knees to play basketball anymore. I truly believe this life sciences has been one of the most dynamic industries in my lifetime, I am not sure what I would do instead of trying to start companies, and build our sector here in our state. During my time at Genzyme, I learned that if you can help patients improve their outcomes and survival, it is a very gratifying sector to work in. I have worked wiht technology tha has saved countless lives, it is hard to say I would want to do something else. I guess if I did not have to work, I would still do something like I am doing now, trying to help patients improve their quality and quantity of life.
- Where is your favorite local spot to take out-of-town guests?
Depends if they have been here before and what their interests are. The usual, Space Needle, Pike Place Market, waterfront, Snoqualmie Falls, Mt. Rainier if they have not seen those sites. If they are skiers, I love Crystal, and everyone that I have taken there feels the same (even hard-core skiers). The peninsula is also a great trip, then you have to start talking about the restaurants...
- If you were to write a book, what would it be about?
My experiences in working with some of the brightest people in the world and helping to deliver revolutionary products that have saved thousands of people's lives!
Leave a comment at the bottom, and we'll make sure your thoughts are heard! =)
Interview with Tammy Blount ~ President and CEO, Tacoma Regional Convention + Visitor Bureau
Interview with Ray Heacox ~ President and GM, Belo Seattle
Interview with Jim Tune ~ President & CEO, ArtsFund.
Interview with Barry McConnel ~ CEO, Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Interview with Emory Thomas ~ Publisher, Puget Sound Business Journal.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Leave a comment! This is way more fun when we hear from you. ;)