and life sciences communities in Maryland and the
region by providing outstanding education, advocacy
and business networking opportunities.
TCM News
For Immediate Release Contatcs:
Ellie Whims
Robin Jones Consulting
301-696-0318
Rabab Pettitt
Brightline Media
703-739-2424 x108
Tech Council of Maryland and MdBio Merge to Form New Trade Association Biotechnology and advanced technology divisions formed to support growing industry needs
(Rockville, MD)- February 7, 2006 -The Tech Council of Maryland, Inc. (TCM) and MdBio, Inc. announced today that they are merging to form a new trade association which will support both life science and advanced technology businesses throughout Maryland with advocacy, networking opportunities and educational initiatives.
"This helps to unify the technology community across the state of Maryland," said John Nyland, Chairman of TCM and Managing Partner, IBM Public Sector Consulting Services, "and it demonstrates the commitment of the Maryland technology community to collaborate on issues of interest to both information technology and biotechnology/life sciences companies."
"The biotechnology members of TCM have always seen the benefit of aligning with other high technology businesses," said Ed Rudnic, Vice Chairman of TCM and Chairman of TCM's new MdBio division as well as President and Chief Executive Officer of Advancis Pharmaceutical Corp in Germantown. "As technology advances, the boundaries between different disciplines of technology are blurring-such as what we are seeing with the use of nanotechnology and information technologies in healthcare delivery. It's a logical technology progression, and it makes perfect sense to mirror that convergence by combining TCM and MdBio."
"MdBio, Inc's primary objective in combining with TCM is to unify, empower, and advance Maryland's biotechnology community," said Jim Leslie, outgoing Chair of MdBio, Inc, and Senior Vice President of Kincannon & Reed. "We believe this integrated approach is the right answer for the biotechnology and advanced technology communities in Maryland."
"We will actively solicit input from biotechnology companies throughout the state, asking what they would like to see from their new membership association. This will enable us to refine and further develop our portfolio of programs and services to ensure the long-term growth of our industry," said Bob Eaton, who will serve as President of the new MdBio organization (a division of TCM) and President of the renamed MdBio Foundation.
The combined organization will be called the Tech Council of Maryland, with members belonging to the advanced technology division, the Tech Alliance, or the biotechnology division, MdBio, or in some cases, both divisions. All members will be welcome at the networking and educational events of both divisions. TCM members will also benefit from having stronger voices for advocacy at the state and national levels. Julie Coons, current President of TCM, will be appointed CEO of TCM and member of both the Tech Alliance and MdBio boards of directors.
###
Note to Editors: Please See Accompanying Fact Sheet.
About the Tech Council of Maryland:
The Tech Council of Maryland's mission is to serve its members as the preeminent technology networking association where executives discuss ideas, innovate and solve technology issues that advance the interests of technology companies in Maryland. TCM members are from industry, government, academia and the service provider industry and provide an environment where technology companies meet, learn and collaborate and to be Maryland's best technology networking organization. TCM has more than 600 member companies representing more than 200,000 forward thinkers throughout the state. For more information, please visit www.mdhitech.org. TCM is supported in part by a grant from Maryland's Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED).
About MdBio
MdBio, Inc seeks to unify, empower and advance Maryland's biotechnology industry, providing comprehensive support services to the biotechnology community in Maryland. Areas of emphasis include corporate and business development, networking and community building, education and workforce development and communications. The organization works to catalyze industry growth, commercial development and global recognition of bioscience in Maryland. For more information, please visit www.mdbio.org.