On Oct. 18, 2005, the Arizona BioIndustry Association (AZBio) announced a three-year grant from the Flinn Foundation to help the growing non-profit organization build its infrastructure through the addition of professional staff, and assume a greater leadership role in the development of Arizona’s bioscience sector.

Upon receiving the grant, the ABA Board voted unanimously that Jon W. McGarity, a seasoned pharmaceutical executive and consultant to the bioindustry nationally who has served as the ABA’s board chairman for more than a year, should undertake the new role of president and chief executive officer. Dee Harris, executive director of the Arizona Angels Venture Group, agreed to immediately assume the position of chairman.

In partnership with the Flinn Foundation, the ABA will expand efforts to educate Arizona leadership on the importance of the biosciences in Arizona, provide outreach and membership services to Arizona’s existing and emerging base of biotech firms and those that service the industry, and aggressively support Arizona’s growing bioscience industry. The grant, effective immediately, will expand the organization’s infrastructure and add staff members.