Ross Bricker has been with AVAC Ltd. since 2000 and currently serves as President and CEO. Mr. Bricker has extensive experience working with and investing in early stage technology companies, and has served as a director for a number of companies and not-for-profit organizations. Previously, he has held senior positions in finance, corporate banking and provincial policy and industry development, and his early career working in molecular biology research. Mr. Bricker is also an active partner in the family’s Century farm north of Calgary. Ross holds a Diploma and a B.Sc. in agriculture, and an MBA in strategic planning and finance.  Ross Bricker joined BioAlberta's Board of Directors September 2007.

Dr. David Cox was appointed President and CEO of Radient Technologies Inc. in September 2009. Prior to joining Radient, Dr. Cox was the CEO of TEC Edmonton for several years. He is an experienced leader in the public and private sectors with direct involvement in biotechnology organizations and has extensive C-Level executive experience in medium-sized pharmaceutical companies as well as small biotech companies, and has substantial experience with capital markets in Canada and the US.  He has been intimately involved in technology commercialization activities for most of his career and has participated in the creation, growth and expansion of numerous technology-intensive start-up enterprises. Dr. Cox holds a PhD in Microbiology from Leeds University.  Dr. Cox began serving on BioAlberta’s Board of Directors in October 1998.

 

Dr. Robert Foster has been a director and officer of Isotechnika since founding the company in 1993. He brings to the company expertise acquired through his education, his teaching responsibilities, and the publication of over 125 scientific papers, articles and book chapters focused on drug development and analysis. As part of his diverse career, Dr. Foster was a tenured Associate Professor (clinical pharmacokinetics) in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Alberta, for a period of approximately nine years. Dr. Foster became a part of BioAlberta’s Board of Directors in January 2004.

 

Kevin Giese, who has earned a B.A. in economics, a law degree, and an M.B.A., is the founding President and CEO of BioMS Medical. Prior to this role, Mr. Giese practiced law in Vancouver, has been the past president of Mr. Lube U.S. and was a director and the chief financial officer for NQL Drilling Tools (a TSX listed oilfield equipment company). Mr. Giese became a member BioAlberta’s Board of Directors in October 2006.

Al Gourley, who acquired his undergraduate degree from the University of Alberta, has played a leading role in building several technology companies during the past 20 years as CEO and Director, as well as in other senior executive positions. Previously, Mr. Gourley practiced as a management consultant for about 18 years, 12 of those years as a partner and practice director of Woods Gordon (now Ernst & Young). Mr. Gourley joined BioAlberta’s Board of Directors in October 2005.

 

After joining ATB in 1998, Ed Knash has become Vice President of Corporate Financial Services and Agri-Industry and Food Group. He holds a B.Sc. in agriculture and a B.Ed., both acquired from the University of Saskatchewan. Prior work experience includes 14 years in agriculture with a major Canadian bank in Alberta and several positions with the provincial Agriculture Departments for both Saskatchewan and Alberta. Mr. Knash has been a member of BioAlberta’s Board of Directors since October 1998.

 

Rick Pawluk is a partner in McCarthy Tétrault LLP’s Business Law Group in Calgary. Mr. Pawluk has extensive experience in securities law, as well as public and private mergers, acquisitions and disposition transactions. He has acted for several reporting issuers from incorporation to completion of their initial public offering. He has also advised public companies as to ongoing regulatory compliance and has acted for them in a variety of transactions.

 

Mr. Pawluk has extensive experience in the growing area of agricultural biotechnology and agribusiness law and is familiar with regulatory and intellectual property issues related thereto.

 

Mr. Pawluk also regularly advises clients on competition and foreign investment law matters, including regulatory compliance matters involving mergers and acquisitions. In addition, he has represented clients in initiating or defending investigations by the Competition Bureau and has regularly advised clients in relation to reviewable business practices such as tied selling, abuse of dominance, pricing practices and refusal to deal.

He is a member of the Law Society of Alberta, Canadian Bar Association and Calgary Bar Association. Rick joined the BioAlberta Board of Directors in February 2009.

 

Ryan Radke, a graduate of the University of Alberta, began his career at BioAlberta in 2003 as Vice-President, Operation and Programs before being appointed President in December 2005.  Prior to joining BioAlberta, Mr. Radke held international trade, technology and bio-pharmaceutical positions within the Government of Alberta in the departments of Economic Development and Innovation and Science.  Mr. Radke is a past member of the ABIC Foundation Board and the Government of Alberta’s Task Force on Value-added and Technology Commercialization.  He is a current member of the ASTECH Foundation Board and the NSERC-Prairie Advisory Committee.  Mr. Radke became a part of BioAlberta’s Board of Directors in November 2006.

 

Dr. Jacqueline Shan, co-discoverer of Afexa's [formerly CV Technologies Inc.] lead product, COLD-fX®, became President and Chief Scientific Officer of the company in 2003. Starting her university education at the early age of 15, she has since acquired doctorates from two countries – one in pharmacology and the other in physiology. She holds ten patents, is the author/co-author of 50 peer-reviewed papers, is recognized by universities in three countries, is an internationally noted speaker and is a past or present member of 20 government, industry, science and research bodies. Dr. Shan has been on BioAlberta’s Board of Directors since October 2005.

 

In addition to being Chair of the Board of Cevena Bioproducts, Rick Smith is also Chair of the Board of SemBioSys Genetics and an independent director of Commercial Solutions Inc.  He has previously held senior management positions in the life sciences area, including human pharmaceuticals, animal health and plant sciences with Eli Lilly and Company, as well as several commercialization initiatives in plant biotechnology.  Mr. Smith became a member of BioAlberta’s Board of Directors in October 2002.

 

Mr. Gordon Sustrik practices in all areas of business law with an emphasis on technology, including national and international technology licensing, transfer and development. He assists research-based organizations as well as life sciences and other technology-based corporations in all aspects of the business life cycle. A frequent writer, Mr. Sustrik writes articles on obligations of confidentiality, trademark licensing and technology transfer. He became a part of BioAlberta’s Board of Directors in September 2000.

 

Mr. Webster is a Leader of Deloitte’s Financial Advisory Services practice specializing in alliances, partnering, licensing, mergers & acquisitions, valuations, due diligence, business planning and financing for Life Sciences organizations. He is the National Leader of Deloitte’s Biotechnology practice in Canada and a leader of Deloitte’s Life Sciences Practice Globally. He is the leader of Deloitte’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications practice in Western Canada.  Mr. Webster joined BioAlberta's Board of Directors in November 2009.