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MOBIO STAFF
Kelly Gillespie - Executive Director
gillespie@mobio.org
Kelly Gillespie has served as Executive Director of the Missouri Biotechnology Association (MOBIO) since June, 2005. MOBIO is a statewide nonprofit trade association dedicated to development and growth of the Missouri biotechnology and biomedical industry, with an emphasis on state advocacy efforts benefitting the life sciences. Prior to his appointment as MOBIO’s Executive Director, Gillespie was vice president of governmental affairs with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. At the state chamber, he served as the group’s head lobbyist and oversaw the legislative and political initiatives of Missouri’s business and employer community.
At MOBIO, Gillespie advocates for public policies that support the state’s building of its research capacity, the enhanced development of a highly educated work force, and policies that promote a positive environment for creating, attracting, and retaining life sciences business growth in Missouri. His work is to coordinate the statewide collaboration necessary between the academic and research institutions as well as the private life science companies that share the common vision of making biotechnology a preeminent economic force in Missouri.
MOBIO is the designated state affiliate of the Biotechnology Industry Organization. Gillespie is active in the Council of State Bioscience Associations, serving on the CSBA executive committee for the past four years. Through May 2011, Gillespie has been elected by his counterparts in other states to serve as national Chairman of CSBA.
Prior to joining the Missouri Chamber in 1998, Gillespie served as director of annual funds for the Southwest Missouri State University Foundation in Springfield. A native of Kansas City, Gillespie earned his bachelor degree in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Gillespie and his wife, Diane, and their daughter, Sarah, reside in Jefferson City.
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Alex Eaton - Assistant Director, Member Relations and Governmental Affairs
eaton@mobio.org
Alex Eaton joined the Missouri Biotechnology Association in May 2007, and serves as Assistant Director, Member Relations and Governmental Affairs. In this role, Eaton oversees MOBIO’s legislative agenda, the recently formed MOBIO PAC and several committees which impact the life sciences industry in Missouri. Furthermore, Eaton focuses on operations within the organization as well as membership development.
Eaton has been instrumental in building MOBIO’s legislative education program, BIO Benchmarking, as well as the development of the Legislative Biotech Caucus and Biotech Speaker Series programming. Eaton also played a role in developing conferences, including the BIO International Convention (BIO), Drug Information Association (DIA), AdvaMed, MOBIO Life Science Day at the Capital, BIO Fly-In and Medical Device & Manufacturing (MDM). Eaton has traveled as part of a Missouri delegation to Atlanta, Boston, Canada, Puerto Rico, Saskatoon, San Diego and Washington, DC.
Eaton, a native of Warsaw, MO, is a graduate of Drury University with a B.A. in political science and a minor in global studies. While at Drury, Eaton studied abroad at Regents College in London, England and Santa Reparata International School of Art in Florence, Italy. Eaton resides in Columbia, MO. |
Jessica Winschel - Assistant Director, Programs and Events
jessica@mobio.org
Jessica Winschel joined the Missouri Biotechnology Association in September 2008, and serves as Assistant Director for Programs and Events. In this role, Jessica focuses on expanding Missouri’s bioscience investments and economic climate through local and international programs and conferences that MOBIO hosts and attends.
Furthermore, Winschel has been instrumental in developing MOBIO’s statewide workforce development campaign, Discover Your Talent.
Winschel leads MOBIO’s global marketing campaign, promoting Missouri as a site for international research and business investments. Through the ILSI Biomed Conference, the BIO Japan World Business Forum and the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, Winschel is continuing to increase Missouri’s presence in Israel, Japan and Canada.
On the national level, Winschel has expanded Missouri’s efforts at the annual BIO International Conference and additional conferences focused on MOBIO’s member interests. Winschel also handles MOBIO’s Life Sciences Summit, annually drawing together Missouri’s biotechnology leaders from each sector of the industry.
Prior to joining MOBIO, Jessica served in the Office of Missouri Governor Matt Blunt as Assistant Scheduler.
A native of St. Louis, MO, Jessica is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.A. in political science and history and currently resides in Columbia, MO.
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Tony Dunavant - Communications and Science Outreach Coordinator
tony@mobio.org
Tony Dunavant joined the Missouri Biotechnology Association in October 2010, and serves as the Communications & Science Outreach Coordinator. In this position, Tony focuses on communication development and strategy for MOBIO while implementing a strong life science foundation in area schools using portable science labs.
Prior to joining MOBIO, Tony worked for the Missouri Department of Agriculture in the Plant Industries Division.
A native of Fulton, MO, Tony is a graduate of Westminster College in Fulton, MO with a B.A. in biology and currently resides in Jefferson City, MO. |
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