Breath of Life Member Assigned to Governor’s Advisory Board

By Beth Michaels

Governor Martin O'Malley recently signed legislation into law creating the 15-member Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board (LSAB) within the Department of Business and Economic Development. One of the new board members is Hercules Pinkney, EdD, an elder, Small Group Ministries and Bible study leader, and spiritual gifts facilitator for the Allegheny East Conference’s Breath of Life church in Fort Washington, Md. 

The establishment of the board is an important milestone in the governor's mission to make Maryland the life sciences capital of the world. Maryland is currently home to more than 370 bioscience companies, one of the fastest growing clusters in the United States. 

The board will bring together, for the first time, key leaders in the state to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for biosciences. Pinkney, vice president and provost for the Germantown Campus of Montgomery College in Montgomery County, Maryland, is among the leaders the governor has appointed to a two-year term on the board. 

“I am both humbled and honored to have been appointed by Governor O’Malley to such an important advisory board,” comments Pinkney, “particularly with respect to the future economic development of the state of Maryland.” 
Governor O’Malley signed Senate Bill 104 in May 2007. The legislation established the LSAB to help Maryland: 
- Promote life sciences research, development, commercialization and manufacturing in the State; 
- Promote collaboration and coordination among life science organizations in Maryland; 
- Develop a strategy to coordinate state and federal resources to attract private sector investment and job creation in the life sciences; 
- Develop a strategy to support federal life sciences facilities located in the state, including support for education, transportation, housing and capital investment needs; and 
- Make recommendations to address critical needs in the life sciences, including access to venture capital and capital construction funding. 

“Growing Maryland’s life sciences industry is a critical step toward a brighter future for all citizens,” said Governor O’Malley. “We are fortunate to have brought together some of the greatest scientists, educators and business professionals to help us in the important task of developing a roadmap to move this industry forward."

Hercules Pinkney, EdD, of the Breath of Life church in Fort Washington, Md., poses with (left to right) Senator Jennie Forehand (17th District); H. Thomas Watkins, chair of the new Life Sciences Advisory Board assigned by Governor Martin O’Malley and president and CEO of Human Genome Sciences, Inc.; and fellow board member David Edgerley, secretary for the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.

The new 15-member Life Sciences Advisory Board poses with Governor Martin O’Malley.The new 15-member Life Sciences Advisory Board poses with Governor Martin O’Malley.

Hercules Pinkney, EdD, poses with his friend and supporter Alfred Johnson, Adult Ministries director for the North American Division.