C. Michael Cassidy, President and CEO
Mr. Cassidy shapes and guides the strategic direction of the Georgia Research Alliance, a private, non-profit organization that brings together the state’s academic, industry and government leaders to grow Georgia’s economy through scientific discovery. Key programs are recruitment of top scientific talent (GRA Eminent Scholars), development of centers of research excellence, and commercialization of university R&D (GRA VentureLab). He also serves as liaison to other local, regional and national organizations with an economic development mission and helps to promote Georgia as a leader in science and technology worldwide.
Before joining the Alliance in 1993, Mr. Cassidy managed the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) Georgia's technology incubator. Prior to that he worked for the IBM Corporation where he held various staff and management assignments. Mr. Cassidy holds a Master’s degree in Technology and Science Policy from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a BBA degree in Marketing from Georgia State University.
Mr. Cassidy serves on the Board of Directors of the State Science and Technology Institute, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, the Council of Biotechnology Centers, the Georgia Cancer Coalition, Georgia Advanced Technology Ventures, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and the Technology Association of Georgia and is a member of the Regional Panel of Experts of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness.
Susan G. Shows, Senior Vice President
Ms. Shows manages GRA's investment portfolio, which includes the award-winning Eminent Scholars Program and more than $600 million of strategic research infrastructure at Georgia's six leading research universities. She led the launch and development of the GRA VentureLab program in 2002, and managed its growth until 2008.
Prior to joining the Alliance in 2001, Ms. Shows worked at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she played a leading role in the development and growth of several university-industry initiatives in partnership with the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and key industry organizations in Georgia. She also served as general manager of the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), a technology incubator based at Georgia Tech. Before moving to Georgia in 1987, she worked for Square D Company, and was part of the company's start-up team for a major manufacturing facility in North Carolina. Ms. Shows holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Xavier University and a BS in Industrial Management from the University of Tennessee.
H. Lee Herron, DVM, Vice President of Commercialization
Just prior to joining the Georgia Research Alliance, Dr. Herron was General Manager, Biosciences, for the Advanced Technology Development Center. In this capacity, Dr. Herron advised start-up and early stage companies regarding the growth and development of their organizations. Through the GRA VentureLab program at Georgia Tech, he worked with faculty at Georgia Tech to evaluate commercial opportunities and to pursue new venture formation or licensing opportunities. He also served as CEO EmTech Bio, a collaborative program of Georgia Tech and Emory.
Before joining ATDC, Dr. Herron worked with BRAHMS AG, a German manufacturer of in-vitro diagnostic products, to establish its North American operations. Earlier, he was the founder, President and CEO of SeaLite Sciences, Inc., a company focused on the development and commercialization of diagnostic products and molecular biology reagents. Dr. Herron was also a founding team member of three other bioscience companies, Biopool International, Inc., CytRx Corporation and Theragenics Corporation. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Georgia.
Mr. Elliott, a 36-year telecommunications industry veteran, has a broad base of experience. An Atlanta native, he owns a patent as co-inventor of an Asymmetric Data Communications System, has been published in the California Management Review writing on the forces of change in service industries, and has worked in six different areas of business for BellSouth, AT&T, and Southern Bell, including public policy. Mr. Elliott holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from Georgia State University in business administration. He has also completed executive education programs at Duke University and Rutgers University.
Bernadette Kight, Executive Assistant
With more than 25 years of administrative experience, Ms. Kight is the Executive Assistant to the President and Senior Vice President of the Georgia Research Alliance. She also provides administrative and office support for other staff members. Prior to joining the Alliance in 2002, she was an Administrative Supervisor for AT&T.
Kathleen K. Robichaud, EdD, Director of Communications
Dr. Robichaud manages the Alliance’s marketing communications program. During her career, she has held program development positions with a number of universities, including Ohio State University, the University of Chicago, Florida State University and Georgia Institute of Technology. She also has led marketing programs for the Atlanta-based corporate law firm of Long Aldridge & Norman (now McKenna Long & Aldridge), the Atlanta Market Center and Compass Management and Leasing.
Dr. Robichaud earned her Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Duke University, her Master’s in journalism from Ohio State and her doctorate in education from the University of Georgia.
Ms. Todd is responsible for the administrative management of the Georgia Research Alliance including accounting and personnel. She also handles special projects and serves as Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees. Ms. Todd has been with the Georgia Research Alliance since its founding in 1990. Prior to that she was with the Woodruff Health Sciences Center at Emory University.
Ms. Vogt is a Program Manager for the Georgia Research Alliance, focusing primarily on the Alliance's Next-Generation Vaccines and Therapeutics Initiative.
Ms. Vogt has more than 20 years' experience in nonprofit management. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Emory University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Georgia State University. She currently serves on the board of Georgia Bio.
GRA staff