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TECH COUNCIL OF MARYLAND/MdBIO

APPOINTS RICHARD ZAKOUR

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OF MdBIO AND MdBIO FOUNDATION

Rockville, Md. (August 6, 2007) - The Tech Council of Maryland/MdBio (TCM/MdBio) announced today that it has appointed Richard A. (Ric) Zakour, Ph.D. to lead MdBio and the MdBio Foundation as executive director. Zakour is a 23-year veteran of the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry and is tasked with the daily management, membership recruitment, event promotion, education and other programs for the MdBio division of TCM/MdBio and the MdBio Foundation.

“The search committee conducted a thorough exploration to identify well-qualified
candidates, and I truly believe we found the best person for the job,” said Jim Leslie, chairman of the MdBio Foundation. “Ric has a stellar reputation and is highly capable of taking the charitable mission and programs of the MdBio Foundation to a new level.”

Before joining TCM/MdBio, Zakour was the general manager for Fisher BioSciences, where he was responsible for a 300-employee unit that included both government and commercial business divisions providing pharmaceutical and biological support services. Prior to his time at Fisher, Zakour held various senior management positions with McKesson Clinical Services, DynCorp and Cambridge Biotech Corporation. Zakour’s research and studies have been published in numerous national publications. He is active in the local community and holds a Ph.D. in biology from Rice University.

No stranger to TCM/MdBio, Zakour served on TCM’s board of directors from 2003 until earlier this year as well as on the MdBio Foundation board. He has participated in the organization’s volunteer program and awards committees, chairing both groups. “Ric’s dedication to TCM/MdBio has been unwavering. He’s a proven industry leader and well known in the community and within our organization. As a long-time volunteer and executive, he fully understands TCM/MdBio’s strategic objectives and goals,” said Steve Trevisan, chairman of the MdBio board.

The MdBio division of TCM/MdBio produces educational programs, collaborative member roundtables and benefits specifically for TCM/MdBio members that specialize in life sciences. The MdBio Foundation is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the growth of bioscience in Maryland through a variety of programs, with a special emphasis on education, training and communications. Zakour’s position complements the recent promotion of Rick Harris to executive director of the Tech Alliance.

“TCM/MdBio has grown into the preeminent technology association in Maryland. We have assembled a first-class senior management staff to lead us as we continue to expand. Ric is a wonderful addition to our talented team,” said Julie Coons, CEO of TCM/MdBio.

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The Tech Council of Maryland (TCM) is Maryland's largest technology trade association that brings its 500 plus members access to technology industry leaders in Maryland, DC and Virginia. TCM has two divisions which provide valuable resources and benefits to help businesses succeed. The Tech Alliance serves the advanced technology community and MdBio serves the Maryland biotechnology community. TCM helps the region's technology organizations grow through its membership and activities such as networking events, cost saving programs, and advocacy initiatives. TCM is the preeminent technology professional association for you! Our mission is to promote the technology industry and to create an environment where technology companies can collaborate, grow and succeed.  The Tech Council of Maryland is supported in part by a grant from Maryland's Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED).

Jackie Eder-Van Hook, MSOD, Executive Vice President, Transition Management Consulting, Inc. provided executive search services to the Tech Council of Maryland.