Ben Franklin Board of Directors Honors Members

Posted on January 20, 2012 in News & Announcements

PHILADELPHIA, PA (www.sep.benfranklin.org) – The Board of Directors for Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP), at its Annual Meeting on December 14, 2011, honored three of its corporate leaders who are stepping down from their roles. The Board formally recognized the many years of leadership and service of Robert E. Keith, Jr., Managing General Partner of TL Ventures, who served as Chairman since 2006; and Walter D’Alessio, Vice Chairman of NorthMarq Capital, who served as Vice Chairman since 2006. Both are stepping down from their roles but will remain on the organization’s Board and Executive Committee. The Board also recognized the contributions of Brenda D. Gavin, D.V.M, Managing Partner of Quaker BioVentures, and Ben Franklin Corporate Secretary, who has served the organization for twenty-one years and is stepping off of the Board in January. In addition, it expressed its appreciation to John C. Carrow, Carrow Consulting, who is also leaving the Board. Both Gavin and Carrow will join the organization’s Chair’s Leadership Council.

The Board also formally recognized RoseAnn B. Rosenthal, for fifteen years of continued leadership and service as President, CEO, and Board member of Ben Franklin.

A complete list of Ben Franklin’s Board of Directors can be found here.

Mr. Keith has served as a Board Member since 2000, and has provided outstanding support in several roles, particularly with regard to his work on the Executive, Finance, Governance and Investment Committees. Mr. Keith was integral in the effort to organize and launch the Emerald Stage2 Venture Fund, an initiative of Ben Franklin.

Mr. D’Alessio has served as a Board Member since 2000, and has provided outstanding support in several roles, particularly with regard to his work on the Executive Committee and leadership of the Governance Committee. Mr. D’Alessio also advised the organization’s strategic decision to undertake the development of the Building 100 Innovation Center at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Dr. Gavin’s involvement with the organization dates back to 1991, as a member of its Life Sciences Investment Advisory Committee. She joined the Board of Directors in 1995, and has represented the organization in Harrisburg on both the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority Board and its predecessor, the Pennsylvania Technology Investment Authority, since 2001.

About Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania is a national, award winning model for technology innovation, and a catalyst for Stimulating Entrepreneurial Potential. For more than 28 years, we have invested in innovative enterprises and created commercialization pathways and partnerships that generate wealth through science and technology. We offer entrepreneurs and established businesses the Capital, Knowledge and Networks to compete in the global marketplace. We have invested more than $155 million to grow more than 1,750 regional enterprises across all areas of technology.

Ben Franklin’s programs and partnerships with universities, corporations and investors strengthen the region’s innovation infrastructure. Together with partners across the region, we are fostering the formation of a Greater Philadelphia energy cluster…Power Valley. We are the commercialization partner for the Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster (GPIC) national energy hub, and the founding partner of the Energy Commercialization Institute (ECI). We are founding partners of The Nanotechnology Institute (NTI), Emerald Stage2 Venture Fund, and numerous other programs and initiatives.

Ben Franklin is part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Ben Franklin Technology Partnership.

For additional information, please visit www.sep.benfranklin.org, Facebook, LinkedIn & Twitter.