Southeast BIO (SEBIO) Names New Executive Director
Southeast BIO (SEBIO), a public/private partnership formed in 1999 to promote the growth of the life sciences economy in the Southeast, has named Stephanie Adams, Ph.D., as its new Executive Director. Dr. Adams replaces Anne Wein, SE Bio’s first Executive Director. Wein announced her resignation in early January in anticipation of the birth of her first child in March.
Adams graduated from Washington and Lee University with a B.S. in Neuroscience and Emory University with a Ph.D. in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology. Adams has worked for King & Spalding LLP for the last six years as a patent agent counseling life science clients. That role helped prepare her for the new position, notes Rebecca Kaufman, chair of the SEBIO Board of Directors and Counsel with King & Spalding. “Stephanie has worked directly with venture capital firms, emerging companies and research institutions - SEBIO’s core constituencies,” Kaufman explained. “She has learned how to work with busy people and get things done. Stephanie also has a familiarity with the SE life sciences community through her involvement with organizations and events like SEBIO, the Georgia Biomedical Partnership and the Atlanta Biotech Network. She also has a solid understanding of what it’s like to be on the prospective sponsor’s side of the table. All of those things will really help her to hit the ground running.”
While welcoming Adams, Kaufman was quick to praise Wein for her efforts. “Anne served for almost two years as SEBIO’s first Executive Director. In that role, she made significant contributions both within the greater southeastern community on our behalf, and internally,” Kaufman said. “In particular, she established the Web site, the job board, planning for SEBIO 2006 and 2007, the creation of BioPlan, and reached out to the state organizations (i.e., the state BIO affiliates) and other regional groups (such as the Southern Growth Policies Board) to establish close ties.” BioPlan is a new program designed to foster the formation of fundable new companies. “Internally, [Anne] was invaluable, and her biggest accomplishment was probably pressing our large board of directors into service, organizing the board and making sure that the many newly established committees are actively working together for the good of the organization,” Kaufman added. “We will miss her, but Stephanie is going to be great, building on the foundation that Anne has established.”
“I am honored to join SEBIO” said Adams. “I am excited to be on the forefront, supporting the growth of the life sciences community in the region.”
The ninth annual Southeastern BIO Investor Forum will take place November 7-8, 2007, at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, NC.
For more information on SEBIO, visit www.sebio.org or call 404-424-1640.
