Hello members of the BIO IT Coalition.  My name is Chris Royse and I am proud to serve as your new Co-Chairman.

Please allow me to tell you a little bit about myself.  I am a former United States Army Special Operator or "Green Beret" as described in the popular media.  Upon completion of my re-enlistment my wife, Kathy, and I returned to our home in Dayton, OH where I earned a Bachelors Degree in Political Science, with a minor in health sciences, and a Masters of Humanities degree; my thesis focused on biological warfare.  While attending university I worked at local hospitals, adult and pediatric, in various Technician capacities in the Laboratory and Emergency, Anesthesia and Pathology Departments.  10 years ago Kathy and I, along with our two boys, moved to the National Capital Region when I accepted a job with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to handle the formulation and presentation of its Laboratory Division's annual budgets.

In 2000, I joined the Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and worked as a support contractor to the Department of Defense's (DoD) Cooperative Threat Reduction program.  In that capacity I lead a team responsible for advising the DoD on Biosecurity, Biosafety, Bioscience research portfolio management and Biosurveillance throughout the Former Soviet Union.  My teammates and I worked extensively in Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia and Azerbaijan.  During this time I also: joined the BIO IT Coalition, served as the Chairman of the Northern Virginia Biotechnology Council's BioMedTech Committee, celebrated the birth of our third child and only girl and I completed George Masons University's Master of Science in Bioscience degree.

In 2005 I served as the Program Manager for the United States Navy, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery's Research and Development program.  In 2006 I joined the Tauri Group where I have served as a consultant to the DoD through my leadership and participation in numerous studies to combat the threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction.  During this time I was also appointed to, and continue to serve upon, George Mason University's Institutional Biosafety Committee.

Our family has resided in Prince William County since we moved to the NCR.  We are very active in our Church, where I teach English as a Second Language, and in our community and in local politics.  Kathy is the Legislative Aid to our delegate from Virginia's 52nd District and I serve the Board of County Supervisors as the current Regular Representative to the County's Economic Development and Transportation Strategic Goal Task Force and the School Board as its At-Large representative to the Safe Schools Advisory Council.  I am also the former At-Large appointee to the Conventions and Visitor's Bureau.

I have always sought challenging leadership positions at the cutting edge of technology, specifically in the biosciences, throughout my career.  From parachutes to pipettes, to the sometimes aggressive inner workings of business development and the compassionate approach to caring for it's neediest employees during the Hurricane Katrina natural disaster at a fortune 500 company, to navigating safely and solving problems around the globe and on Pennsylvania Avenue and Main Street in my home town.  I have seen the convergence of many technologies, whether out of necessity or common sense, but I believe none are as important as the convergence of the Biosciences and Information Technology.  I'm a believer in the great work the BIO IT Coalition does to network organizations and individuals in order to facilitate that convergence.

In the coming year we have many great initiatives underway.  First, we are establishing a Government Affairs and Policy Committee.  I believe the BIO IT Coalition can play a more active role in advising business and political leaders throughout this region and the nation on legislative issues regarding the convergence of the Biosciences and Information Technology.  Our first goal is that the Committee will reach an initial operating capacity before the inauguration of the United State's 44th President.  We believe that as the new Presidential Administration takes charge and it's staff members begin to arrive in DC, they will look to us for help on these issues as the convergence of the Bioscience and Information Technology will be most important of the 21st century for improving the care of all citizens espeacially our aging Baby Boomers and veterans returning from the Global War on Terrorism.

We will also be engaged in an aggressive strategic planning initiative, based upon guidance we received from our Advisory Board in July, and will be stepping up our membership and fund-raising efforts during the coming year.  And don't forget April 22, 2009, the date of our 8th annual conference!

In closing it is important for me to mention how honored I am to serve in the position held by the BIO IT Coalition's first Chairman and Founder, Steve Mandell.  As I write this letter, I have the last letter Steve sent me on my desk, a thank you note for attending the 6th annual conference.  Over the years, Steve became a friend and mentor, I think of him often and I miss him.

The BIO IT Coalition is going through a period of change.  We have recently lost our founder, our current marketplace is bleak and we are working hard on our brand.  For those of us that have been through tough times before, we know that this period of change is actually a period of great opportunity if we plan appropriately and work together.  The BIO IT Coalition has had a great run and its best days are ahead of it.  Our branding is coming together through excellent stewardship from our Advisory Board, the market will be back and when it is investors will be looking for the "next big thing" and we all know that will be investing in the convergence of the Biosciences and Information Technology, and our Founder remains with us in spirit guiding our every step.  These things coupled with our exceptional members and sponsors equal a formula for future success!

I look forward to working with you all and thank you for this opportunity to serve.

Christopher A. Royse
BIO IT Coalition
Co-Chairman

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