ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, July 23, 2012 – BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI), a regional private-public partnership focusing on commercializing market-relevant biohealth innovations and increasing access to early-stage funding in Central Maryland, announced today that it has located its corporate headquarters in the historic Wire Hardware Building at 22 Baltimore Road in Rockville. BHI also announced the creation of two new staff positions filled by recent hires Ethan Byler as Director of Innovation Programs and Amanda Wilson as Operations Manager.
“Choosing the historic Wire Hardware Building as operational headquarters for BHI is symbolic of the marrying of the deep roots of this region with the untapped potential for truly inspirational advancement of the biohealth industry here, which is a primary goal of BHI,” said Richard Bendis, BioHealth Innovation, Inc. President & Chief Executive Officer. “Opening our new offices in Montgomery County and welcoming our new staff are key steps to ensuring the success of BHI and demonstrate our firm commitment to Central Maryland.”
Along with its headquarters offices in Rockville, BHI will conduct operations from Baltimore in offices it shares with the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore (EAGB), which is located in the heart of downtown Baltimore. In June 2012, EAGB announced it will serve as Greater Baltimore’s primary business partner with BHI. The two organizations will work together in implementing BHI’s Central Maryland Health-Regional Innovation Cluster (H-RIC). From its two offices in Rockville and Baltimore, BHI can easily serve constituents and engage with partners across Central Maryland.
New Hires Complete BHI’s Initial Staff Line-Up
Joining the BHI roster of Mr. Bendis, Entrepreneur-in-Residence Todd Chappell, Executive Administrator Renee Enright and Intern Adam Hafez are new hires Ethan Byler and Amanda Wilson.
Mr. Byler has spent his career supporting the growth of entrepreneurial enterprises by working as a practitioner in innovation-based economic development at a biomedical research institute and technology accelerator, an economic development consulting firm and at a global engineering professional society.
He most recently served as the Manager of Engineering for Global Development at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers where he managed innovation programs. He also has served as Business Manager of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County and the Institute for Hepatitis & Virus Research and Coordinator of the Keystone Innovation Zone program. Previously, Mr. Byler was a consultant focused on county, city, regional, state, and national innovation-based economic development strategies. He holds a Master’s Degree from the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. from the University of Charleston.
Before joining BHI as an Operations Manager, Amanda Wilson held the role of Communications & Events Manager for Rockville Economic Development, Inc. There she served as lead point for the STEM Postdoctoral Conference and Career Fair, managed logistics and scheduling, and promoted Rockville Economic Development, Inc. through social media outlets. Amanda also has extensive volunteer experience as a Graduate Mentor for the 2+2 Program with The George Washington University, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and other various organizations. She graduated Magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from State University of New York at Oswego, and is currently working towards a Masters of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship from The George Washington University.
About BHI’s New Rockville Headquarters: The Wire Hardware Building
The historic Wire Hardware Building dates back to the downtown area of Rockville in the late 19th century. This two-story brick building features the last cast-iron front remaining in the city. The building itself represents how Rockville grew along with the B&O Railroad and the railroad’s depot, which was located across the street. Following ownership changing hands multiple times since the the original construction in 1897, restoration began on this Maryland landmark in the 1990’s and now has been converted for office use.
About BioHealth Innovation, Inc.
BioHealth Innovation, Inc., is a regional innovation intermediary focused on commercializing market-relevant bio-health innovations and increasing access to early-stage funding in Maryland. Learn more at www.biohealthinnovation.org.
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Media contact:
Rich Bendis, President & CEO, 215-496-8102, rbendis@biohealthinnovation.org