Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority Names New President & CEO
Following an extensive national search, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA) has named Steve VanNurden as its new President & CEO. VanNurden, a seasoned leader in the life science/bioscience space, comes to FRA from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Aurora, CO, March 16, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Following an extensive national search, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA) has named Steve VanNurden as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, beginning in late May. The announcement is made by John M. Shaw, Chair of the FRA Board of Directors, who said: "Steve, a seasoned leader in the life science/bioscience space, comes to us from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota."
The appointment of Mr. VanNurden is further evidence of the FRA's continued commitment to support the development of life science companies in Colorado in partnership with the State’s research institutions. He will be working with universities, local economic development agencies, state and local governments, and the bioscience industry to promote the successful development of the 180 acre Colorado Science + Technology Park, which is adjacent to the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.
Steve Hogan, Mayor of the City of Aurora and FRA Board member stated, “Steve is the partner we need to fulfill the promise of the bioscience industry park. His working relationships span nationally and internationally, which will be a great advantage for us.”
Steve VanNurden is currently Chair of Mayo Clinic Ventures, the invention arm for Mayo Clinic. Under Mr. VanNurden’s direction, this division is responsible for patenting and commercializing Mayo’s discoveries, inventions and other intellectual property. Since 1986, Mayo Clinic Ventures has successfully commercialized over 2,000 technologies and has been granted more than 1,200 patents. Under the guidance of Mr. VanNurden, Mayo’s technology based ventures efforts have paid off, resulting in the formation of 45+ Mayo Clinic start-up companies.
Prior to leading Mayo Clinic Ventures, Mr. VanNurden held a variety of positions at the Mayo Clinic. VanNurden was instrumental in helping Mayo Clinic establish an on-line presence in 1995, today known as mayoclinic.com. He also served as an industry liaison to the U.S. Health and Human Services Committee on the Emergence of Interactive Health Communication.
Prior to joining the Mayo Clinic, Mr. VanNurden’s industry experience included management positions at Cargill, Inc., US Bank, and Aerodrome Airline Services, Inc. VanNurden holds degrees in Accounting and Finance and a Masters Degree in Business Administration.
Bruce Benson, President of the University of Colorado and a member of the FRA Board, commented on the appointment by stating, “Steve has the sophisticated understanding of the linkage between our outstanding research programs and the translation of new discoveries into new drugs, devices, and therapies. We have always envisioned the FRA as a key partner in our commercialization efforts and Steve brings the perfect background to make this partnership successful.”
In 2011, as the first phase of its strategic refocus, FRA announced the restructure of its board to include bioscience industry leadership. Those additions include Donald M. Elliman, Jr., recently appointed as Interim Chancellor of the University of Colorado at Denver and former Chair of the Children's Hospital Colorado Board of Directors; William Freytag, PhD, former Chairman and CEO of Myogen, Inc.; James C. T. Linfield, Partner-in-Charge of the Colorado office Cooley LLP; and David Perez, President and Chief Executive Officer of CaridianBCT, becoming TerumoBCT. Also recently appointed is Bill Mosher of Trammell Crow, who brings real estate and development experience to the Board.
The second phase of the organization’s strategic refocus is the expansion of its Bioscience Park Center (BPC) by roughly 50% with an $8 million, 37,000-square-foot accelerator structure, which will be completed in the summer of 2012. The new accelerator space will be leased to existing tenants graduating from the incubator and other companies in the modest growth stage.
The third phase of the FRA’s strategic refocus is the identification of new management to lead the organization and coordinate its partners. The appointment of Mr. VanNurden completes this phase.
About the Colorado Science + Technology Park
The Colorado Science + Technology Park is the center of The Fitzsimons Life Science District, one of the nation’s largest bioscience developments and the heart of Colorado's bioscience community. As the development partner with the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, Forest City Fitzsimons, Inc., offers a full range of purchase, lease and build-to-suit opportunities for world-class research, resources and facilities in a 184-acre, walkable environment featuring open space and other amenities designed to enhance the quality of life for employers and their employees.
About Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority
The FRA directs the commercial developments in the Fitzsimons Life Science District, along with its partner, Forest City Science + Technology Group. In this role, the FRA is dedicated to providing life science companies: an environment where they can thrive; success-enhancing resources like the District’s business incubator and accelerator facilities; and services that help form connections between private industry and the University of Colorado. Aurora’s Fitzsimons Life Science District is becoming what its founders envisioned: a functioning community that directly supports the health and well-being of life science companies. For more information, visit: http://www.fitzscience.com.
Contacts:
Denise M. Brown, Interim Executive Director, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority - http://www.fitzscience.com - 303-915-9762 - Denise@dmbrownllc.com
Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, Principal - Absolutely Public Relations - http://www.absolutelypr.com - 303-984-9801 and 303-669-3558 (cell), maggie@absolutelypr.com
The appointment of Mr. VanNurden is further evidence of the FRA's continued commitment to support the development of life science companies in Colorado in partnership with the State’s research institutions. He will be working with universities, local economic development agencies, state and local governments, and the bioscience industry to promote the successful development of the 180 acre Colorado Science + Technology Park, which is adjacent to the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.
Steve Hogan, Mayor of the City of Aurora and FRA Board member stated, “Steve is the partner we need to fulfill the promise of the bioscience industry park. His working relationships span nationally and internationally, which will be a great advantage for us.”
Steve VanNurden is currently Chair of Mayo Clinic Ventures, the invention arm for Mayo Clinic. Under Mr. VanNurden’s direction, this division is responsible for patenting and commercializing Mayo’s discoveries, inventions and other intellectual property. Since 1986, Mayo Clinic Ventures has successfully commercialized over 2,000 technologies and has been granted more than 1,200 patents. Under the guidance of Mr. VanNurden, Mayo’s technology based ventures efforts have paid off, resulting in the formation of 45+ Mayo Clinic start-up companies.
Prior to leading Mayo Clinic Ventures, Mr. VanNurden held a variety of positions at the Mayo Clinic. VanNurden was instrumental in helping Mayo Clinic establish an on-line presence in 1995, today known as mayoclinic.com. He also served as an industry liaison to the U.S. Health and Human Services Committee on the Emergence of Interactive Health Communication.
Prior to joining the Mayo Clinic, Mr. VanNurden’s industry experience included management positions at Cargill, Inc., US Bank, and Aerodrome Airline Services, Inc. VanNurden holds degrees in Accounting and Finance and a Masters Degree in Business Administration.
Bruce Benson, President of the University of Colorado and a member of the FRA Board, commented on the appointment by stating, “Steve has the sophisticated understanding of the linkage between our outstanding research programs and the translation of new discoveries into new drugs, devices, and therapies. We have always envisioned the FRA as a key partner in our commercialization efforts and Steve brings the perfect background to make this partnership successful.”
In 2011, as the first phase of its strategic refocus, FRA announced the restructure of its board to include bioscience industry leadership. Those additions include Donald M. Elliman, Jr., recently appointed as Interim Chancellor of the University of Colorado at Denver and former Chair of the Children's Hospital Colorado Board of Directors; William Freytag, PhD, former Chairman and CEO of Myogen, Inc.; James C. T. Linfield, Partner-in-Charge of the Colorado office Cooley LLP; and David Perez, President and Chief Executive Officer of CaridianBCT, becoming TerumoBCT. Also recently appointed is Bill Mosher of Trammell Crow, who brings real estate and development experience to the Board.
The second phase of the organization’s strategic refocus is the expansion of its Bioscience Park Center (BPC) by roughly 50% with an $8 million, 37,000-square-foot accelerator structure, which will be completed in the summer of 2012. The new accelerator space will be leased to existing tenants graduating from the incubator and other companies in the modest growth stage.
The third phase of the FRA’s strategic refocus is the identification of new management to lead the organization and coordinate its partners. The appointment of Mr. VanNurden completes this phase.
About the Colorado Science + Technology Park
The Colorado Science + Technology Park is the center of The Fitzsimons Life Science District, one of the nation’s largest bioscience developments and the heart of Colorado's bioscience community. As the development partner with the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, Forest City Fitzsimons, Inc., offers a full range of purchase, lease and build-to-suit opportunities for world-class research, resources and facilities in a 184-acre, walkable environment featuring open space and other amenities designed to enhance the quality of life for employers and their employees.
About Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority
The FRA directs the commercial developments in the Fitzsimons Life Science District, along with its partner, Forest City Science + Technology Group. In this role, the FRA is dedicated to providing life science companies: an environment where they can thrive; success-enhancing resources like the District’s business incubator and accelerator facilities; and services that help form connections between private industry and the University of Colorado. Aurora’s Fitzsimons Life Science District is becoming what its founders envisioned: a functioning community that directly supports the health and well-being of life science companies. For more information, visit: http://www.fitzscience.com.
Contacts:
Denise M. Brown, Interim Executive Director, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority - http://www.fitzscience.com - 303-915-9762 - Denise@dmbrownllc.com
Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, Principal - Absolutely Public Relations - http://www.absolutelypr.com - 303-984-9801 and 303-669-3558 (cell), maggie@absolutelypr.com
Contact
Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority
Maggie Holben
303-984-9801
www.fitzscience.com
Maggie Holben
303-984-9801
www.fitzscience.com
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