Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo Presented 2017 BIO Governor of the Year Award
Providence, RI (July 14, 2017) – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) today presented Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo with its 2017 Governor of the Year award in recognition of her leadership and commitment to strengthening the bioscience industry within Rhode Island. Governor Raimondo received the award at the National Governor’s Association Summer Meeting, held at the Providence Convention Center.
“As Governor, I wake up every morning focused on creating jobs for Rhode Islanders,” Raimondo said. “Thanks to our investments in skills training and economic development, our state’s biotechnology industry is strong and getting stronger. We will soon break ground on the Wexford Innovation Complex in Providence’s I-195 District, and are preparing to launch an innovative workforce program in partnership with the biotechnology industry to provide Rhode Islanders with the skills they need for the biotech jobs we are creating here. I am proud of the progress we’ve made, and am deeply honored to receive this award.”
“Governor Raimondo is a tireless advocate for initiatives that support the unique needs of early-stage companies. She works every day to enhance Rhode Island’s biotech growth through her strong support for policies that benefit a pro-jobs environment,” said Gary Andres, Senior Executive Vice President of Public Affairs of BIO. “Her leadership on the creation of a major life-sciences campus has provided the foundation for attracting and supporting industry growth. The Governor’s leadership in this field will continue to benefit her state, in terms of jobs and innovation, for years to come.”
“From the moment she was inaugurated, Governor Raimondo has been a champion of innovative growth strategies in Rhode Island,” said Carol Malysz, Executive Director of MedMates. “By attracting and supporting industry growth and university research, she has been a driving force behind our growing biotech community. On behalf of Rhode Island’s life-science community, I commend Governor Raimondo for this well-deserved award.”
Photos available upon request.
About BIO
BIO is the world's largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIOtechNOW is BIO's blog chronicling “innovations transforming our world” and the BIO Newsletter is the organization’s bi-weekly email newsletter. Subscribe to the BIO Newsletter.