Virginia Bio CEO Jeff Gallagher Stepping Down

Virginia Bio, the statewide non-profit trade association for the life science industry, announced today that after seven years of service Jeff Gallagher CEO will step down from his position as CEO later this year, then will continue to serve the association on select special projects. A national search for a new CEO will begin immediately, conducted by the Virginia Bio Board of Directors.

Under Mr. Gallagher's leadership, Virginia Bio has prioritized service to its many members, built important new collaborations, woven together the state's diverse and dynamic industry, and provided a vision for the growth and development of the industry in all corners of the state and across its many domains. "It's been a great honor to help our members and stakeholders grow life science innovation," said Mr. Gallagher, "as they tackle the extraordinary challenge of developing discoveries into real products and services available in the clinic and marketplace. And it's been a joy to see the fruits of their work - new cures and treatments, new ways to promote health and avoid illness, breakthroughs in agriculture, industrial processes and environmental care, new companies and great jobs."

During his tenure Virginia Bio broadened its membership base, expanded its offering of services to members, and increased the range of educational programs and networking events. Virginia Bio worked across Administrations and General Assemblies to spark statewide strategic initiatives and advocate for improved public policies, then helped implement those programs. Virginia Bio convened first-ever statewide meetings in Ag and Industrial Bio, Big Data and Bio, Virginia Innovations impacting Military and Veterans Health, the Life Science Innovation Workforce, the Medical Device and MedTech sector, the recognition and development of women leading the life science industry, and championed regional collaboration with colleagues in North Carolina, D.C., Maryland and through the BioHealth Capital Region initiative.

Testimonials

Jeff set a very high bar for the organization and helped to bring national prominence to the Commonwealth's life science industry. His integrity, passion, and intimate knowledge of the industry allowed him to be a great connector, an honest broker, a creative thought leader and a driving force for positive change. Because of Jeff's tremendous vision and his consistent leadership over the last seven years, Virginia Bio, our members and our entire state have benefited greatly.

- Andrew Krouse, Chairman of the Board Virginia Bio, CEO Cavion, Inc., Charlottesville, VA

Virginia Bio, under Jeff's leadership, has set and made great progress toward important priorities: increasing access to capital including a Virginia Reception at the famed JP Morgan Healthcare week in San Francisco; workforce, including STEM, internships and diversity, highlighted by the unique regional Women Building Bio annual conference; unlocking the promise of Virginia's global leading resources in data science for the life sciences and medicine; agricultural and industrial bio; and helping life science innovation companies meet the needs of our military and veterans.

-Crystal Icenhour, Immediate Past Chair Virginia Bio, CEO of Aperiomics, Ashburn, VA

Virginia Bio is a critical partner to the translational research universities in the state and to the Catalyst. Jeff is not afraid to roll up his sleeves, and he's not afraid to take a leading role. He's helping our research universities optimize how they create and nurture innovation, and our industry learn how better to work with our universities, ultimately creating companies, investment and jobs in Virginia.

- Michael Grisham, CEO, The Catalyst (Virginia Bioscience Health Research Corporation (VBHRC)), Richmond VA

Thanks to Jeff's strategic leadership and vision, Virginia Bio has become a broader, stronger and mutually supportive community, a sustainable platform to continue to grow and help our members and the Commonwealth achieve a brighter future. Virginia Bio members embody a deep knowledge of life sciences R&D, commercialization, innovation, entrepreneurship, economic development, access to health care, specialized professional support and more. Virginia Bio is poised and willing to be the honest broker, trusted voice, dependable support and collaborative leader for the life sciences industry in the state.

-Alan Connor, Vice Chairman Virginia Bio, CEO Cadence, Staunton, VA

About Virginia Bio

Virginia Bio is the statewide non-profit trade association that serves and promotes the life sciences industry in Virginia. Approximately 300 companies spanning biopharmaceuticals, medical device, med tech, diagnostics, digital health, bioinformatics, agriculture and industrial bio and related fields are based in Virginia, mainly clustered around research universities and medical institutions in Blacksburg/Roanoke, Charlottesville, Richmond, Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. Virginia Bio is a the sole state affiliate or works closely with key national industry organizations BIO, AdvaMed, MDMA, PhRMA and We Work for Health. For more information about the bioscience industry in Virginia, please visit www.vabio.org.