Cheryl McMurry named director of Western Office

BT Catalyst,  Sept-Oct, 2005  

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Cheryl S. McMurry, an executive with extensive experience in biotechnology business development, commercialization and recruitment, has been hired as director of the Western Office of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in Asheville. She succeeds Dr. Charles Moreland, who retired.

"Cheryl McMurry brings vision, deep experience and commitment to the region," said Jack Cecil, president of Biltmore Farms of Asheville and chairman of the Advisory Committee for Biotechnology in Western North Carolina. "We are fortunate that she has taken up the challenge of leading this highly creative venture."

George Briggs, executive director of the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville and vice chairman of the Advisory Committee, said, "The hiring of Cheryl McMurry marks an important milestone of sustainability in building Western North Carolina's natural biotech industry. Like the industry itself, Cheryl possesses enormous innovative energy. It's a great match. We are fortunate as a region and state to have recruited her leadership."

McMurry, who started the job Aug. 1, will work with companies, schools and institutions throughout Western North Carolina to both identify and strengthen their capabilities for biotechnology development. She will administer the Advisory Committee for Biotechnology in Western North Carolina, which has determined that native plants and biotechnology are a significant strength and opportunity for the region. She also will serve as direct conduit for Western North Carolina to the funding programs and other resources of the Biotechnology Center.

Prior to joining the Biotechnology Center, McMurry was manager of the N.C. Community College System's BioNetwork BioBusiness Center at A-B Tech. Before her move to Asheville, she spent three years as senior vice president of Emergent Technologies Inc., a venture capital company headquartered in Austin, Texas, and was president of Emergent Technologies, Oklahoma, a partnership fund with investments in five Oklahoma biotechnology companies.

A native of Ardmore, Okla., McMurry has a bachelor's degree in education from Auburn University, a master's degree in education from Winthrop College, and a master's degree in public administration and a law degree from the University of South Carolina.

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