Personalities (updated on September 28, 2016)
Former Commanding General of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to drive Worldwide Deployment of Oxitec’s Friendly(TM) Mosquito
Intrexon Corporation, a leader in the engineering and industrialization of biology to improve the quality of life and health of the planet, announced the appointment of Lieutenant General (Ret.) Thomas P. Bostick, Ph.D., P.E., as head of the Company’s Environment Sector. He will oversee the Company’s strategies and programmes to deploy biologically based solutions for the protection and remediation of the environment
“Intrexon’s approach to address pressing global challenges through the engineering of biology has broad applications and significant potential to drive meaningful change for the betterment of mankind. One such formidable mission that Zika has brought to the forefront is the ongoing battle against harmful Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, a fight that we have been losing for decades. Combatting these disease-transmitting insects through Oxitec’s environmentally responsible Friendly(TM) Aedes platform represents a paradigm shift in mosquito control that is necessary to end the devastating damage this single species causes worldwide,” said Dr. Bostick.
“Based on my visits to Oxitec headquarters in the UK and field sites in Brazil, the company has clearly demonstrated the ability to successfully scale production to meet operational goals and bring this unparalleled pest control method to where it is needed globally. I am excited to join the Intrexon team and look forward to expanding the beneficial impact its bioengineering has begun to have on the environment,” Dr. Bostick added.
Intrexon’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Randal J. Kirk commented, “Our commitment to a safer, healthier, and more sustainable planet continues to drive Intrexon to engineer biology responsibly and create solutions that drive beneficial impact to, and yet do not uncontrollably propagate in, the environment. As we work toward highly targeted impactful solutions, we shall show that applications of sound engineering principles to biology can produce effective, safe and cost-efficient answers to many global challenges. We are thrilled to welcome Tom to our team to lead us in our environmental efforts.”
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Bostick brings to Intrexon extensive experience in environmental sustainability, tremendous leadership skills, and an established track record in engineering solutions for the Nation’s toughest challenges. After 38 years of distinguished service to the U.S. Army, he recently retired as the 53(rd) U.S. Army Chief of Engineers and the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). In this position, he served as the senior military officer overseeing and supervising most of the Nation’s civil works infrastructure and military construction, hundreds of environmental protection projects, as well as managing 34,000 civilian employees and military personnel in over 110 countries around the world. Lt. Gen. Bostick’s responsibilities at USACE included the operation and maintenance of the Nation’s waterways and ports, the regulatory permit program to protect, restore and enhance wetland areas, environmental preservation and restoration projects, the Nation’s largest hydroelectric power programs, as well as emergency response missions supporting the efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“Tom’s expertise in environmental protection and infrastructure investment that is positioned toward environmental objectives will prove invaluable to our partners as they deploy our platforms. I look forward to working with Tom to achieve our goals across the environmental sector, in particular the global distribution of Oxitec’s innovative solution to reverse the incursion of invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes,” noted Geno Germano, President of Intrexon.
Before his command of USACE, Lt. Gen. Bostick served in a variety of command and staff assignments with the U.S. Army both in the U.S. and abroad including the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, Personnel, U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Assistant Division Commander, 1st Cavalry Division, Executive Officer to the Chief of Engineers, Executive Officer to the Army Chief of Staff, and Deputy Director of Operations for the National Military Command Center, J-3, the Joint Staff in the Pentagon. Additionally, he was a special assistant to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs during his time as a White House Fellow. Lt. Gen. Bostick graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and later returned to the Academy to serve as an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering. He holds Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and a Doctorate in Systems Engineering from George Washington University.
Intrexon Corporation is Powering the Bioindustrial Revolution with Better DNA™) to create biologically-based products that improve the quality of life and the health of the planet. The Company’s integrated technology suite provides its partners across diverse markets with industrial-scale design and development of complex biological systems delivering unprecedented control, quality, function, and performance of living cells. We call our synthetic biology approach Better DNA(®).
Intrexon, Powering the Bioindustrial Revolution with Better DNA, and Better DNA are trademarks of Intrexon and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Han Bekke appointed president of IAF, the International Apparel Federation
The members of the International Apparel Federation have today appointed Han Bekke (chairman of MODINT, Netherlands) as its new President. He succeeds Rahul Mehta (chairman CMAI, India) who has held this position since 2014. The decision was taken at the general assembly of IAF as part of the 32nd IAF World Fashion Convention that runs in Mumbai (India) this week of September 25, 2016
The IAF is the world’s leading federation for national clothing and textile associations from more than 40 countries, representing over 150,000 companies and over 5 million employees. Also individual companies from industry and retail as well as suppliers to this industry and educational institutes can be a member of IAF.
Han Bekke has a long career in the Dutch and international fashion and textile industry and has held different management positions. Since 2013 he is chairman of the Dutch Trade Association for Fashion and (Interior)Textiles MODINT, member of IAF. From 2006 till 2014 Han Bekke was secretary general of IAF and became its board member in 2014.
During the general assembly other industry leaders were nominated to the board:
– Ed Gribbin, President of Alvanon Inc (USA)., was elected as treasurer
– Jiang Hui, chairman of CCCT (Chinese Chamber of Commerce for Textiles and Clothing) was elected as member of the Executive Committee
– Faruque Hassan, senior vice-president BGMEA (Bangladesh) as member of the board
– Les Miller, ceo American & Efird (USA) as member of the board