I’ve heard from many of you over the course of the last few weeks and I truly appreciate your notes of congratulation and support for my appointment by Senate President Steve Morris to the Kansas Bioscience Authority (KBA) Board of Directors. It is a privilege and an honor to be appointed for this important job and we’ve already started to work toward tremendous progress. You can read about the newly passed program outlines in this eNews and see the significant progress we are making.

Just to be clear, I will continue in my role as President of KansasBio, in addition to serving on the KBA board. My appointment represents a synergistic relationship as both KansasBio and the Kansas Bioscience Authority are part of the same team -- Team Kansas. Our fundamental missions are the same: to support and grow the bioscience industry in Kansas. Together, and with our other statewide and regional partners, we are charging onward to maximize growth opportunities in this industry.

I continually witness progress, whether at BIO in Boston or Chicago, or at regional economic development, planning or entrepreneurship meetings across the state. One thing is abundantly clear: we can have a huge impact when we work together.

The passage of the Kansas Economic Growth Act is a perfect example of how our state’s leaders got together in a bi-partisan, bi-counsel way to pass one of this nation’s most enterprising bioscience industry-focused stimulus programs. It is up to us to continue to follow that lead and stay strong – and stick together -- as we hone and implement the strategic plan that guides the Kansas bioscience initiative.

KansasBio’s work is evidenced not only by our organization’s growth in membership or our collective successes at BIO, but most importantly here in the state where we plan and coordinate industry tours for legislators as well as high school, undergraduate and graduate students. We also conduct media, academic, and community outreach programs to share your successes and industry information with those who wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to the biosciences in such a broad-reaching way. Each of these efforts furthers our collective mission to grow the industry and assist in keeping our best and brightest here to help us expand, innovate, and create new opportunities.

I was most recently in Wichita where I met with an engaged group of civic and business leaders. It was such a great encouragement to not only hear about their great work in the SC Kansas area, but to begin working together on projects.

KansasBio has also worked diligently to keep our legislature aware and engaged. What has emerged is a strong, supportive and interested group who attended the legislative bus tour, joined us in Boston for BIO, and formed a bi-counsel, bi-partisan Bioscience and Technology Caucus in Kansas. This group of more than a dozen highly-engaged legislators is committed to staying abreast of bioscience and technology issues. I have no doubt this caucus will benefit you and our industry with pillars of support throughout the legislative sessions to come. Please meet some of them on July 10 at the KBA Annual meeting as many will be in attendance.

Angela Kreps
KansasBio President