Center Adds New Member to Board of GovernorsBuster Houchins, an executive search professional, brings industry-knowledge and business-insight to Packard Board.
Earlier this month, the Packard Center Board of Governors unanimously elected Buster Houchins to a two-year term, increasing the number of voting board members to twenty. Houchins is a Vice Chairman at CTPartners, a global leader within the executive search industry. With headquarters in New York City and offices across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, CTPartners counts as clients some of the world's leading Fortune 1000, FTSE 100, DAX, CAC 40, Bogota IGBC, private equity and venture capital firms and their portfolio companies. He is regarded as one of the industry’s foremost experts on leadership issues in the global healthcare and life science industry. Drawing on over 20 years of experience as an executive search professional, Houchins has helped leading companies find new CEOs and other executive leadership. A former United States Army combat officer in Vietnam, Houchins is a graduate of Marshall University in West Virginia and holds a master’s degree from Webster University. Although Houchins has no direct connection to ALS, he felt compelled to become involved in the Center on the advice of fellow Packard board member and friend, Ralph Terkowitz. After attending the May board meeting, Houchins was eager to get involved. “Jeff Rothstein and his team provide the leadership component that will lead to even bigger discoveries if provided the right resources to get there,” Houchins noted after the meeting. “This collaborative research model is unique in my experience. The recent discovery of the gene C9orf72 demonstrates what can be achieved in discovery and therapies for ALS.” For Houchins, the timing was perfect. “It's the right time in life for me to take on the responsibility of a Board,” he notes. “I wanted something meaningful where there are talented people focused on a big problem together with strong leadership that could accomplish great results.” Houchins found that at Packard. “We’re excited to have Buster Houchins join the board,” notes Packard Development Director Milan Karol. Karol, who works closely with the board on development and fundraising is excited at the opportunities Houchins brings to the Center. “He adds to the diverse set of skills and talents that the board brings to the work of ensuring that Packard funded investigators will have the resources needed to continue doing great work.” Houchins is looking forward to diving right in. “My strength is doing,” Houchins states. “The role I expect to play is to help secure the funding needed for the Center to continue in its collaborative mission.” His predilection for action and hard work are sure to bring much success to Packard. – Suzanne Connelly | | |
