BIO Alabama has named a new CEO.
Jeremy D. Blanks of Arab has been appointed to the role. He fills the position vacated by Rachel Lane who stepped down to join the Tulsa Innovation Labs Canopy Virtual HealthTech program in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Under Lane’s leadership, BIO Alabama and the state’s bioscience industry grew, marked by accomplishments including the annual conference, which gathered over 200 statewide industry partners and featured leaders and speakers from across the country. It also implemented the Inaugural RALLY, a reverse-pitch event, which connected local and national industry companies with Alabama academic institutions for collaboration and a workforce development initiative aiming to upscale Alabama’s bioscience workforce and SBIR/STTR award workshops, which connected innovators with federal agencies and information about non-dilutive funding.
Blanks is a native of Albertville and attended the University of Alabama for his bachelor's degree in chemistry and mathematics as well as his doctorate in chemistry. After graduating from the University of Alabama in 1995, Blanks joined DuPont, where he had a career of over 20 years serving in progressive leadership roles in R&D, manufacturing technology, operations and supply chain.
He then joined a series of private equity firm-owned companies in executive roles and spent time with Huntsman Chemical. Most recently he was the COO for Sigura, owned by Platinum Equity.
"As an Alabama native and scientist by training, it is personally important to me that we grow this area to bring in more and better bioscience jobs as well as improve economic investment in our beautiful state to ensure a prosperous future," Blanks said.
BIO Alabama is an advocate for growth in the biosciences and health care-related industries throughout Alabama. It represents the state on a national and international stage, promoting the intellectual and innovative capital that attracts investors and business owners. BIO Alabama is the state partner of the life sciences trade organization Biotechnology Innovation Organization. Its members consist of bioscience organizations, universities, research facilities and service partners.
