After Successful Seven Year Tenure Jill Felix to Step Down as First Female CEO of the Science Center.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 6, 2004 -- Illustrious career saw Science Center turn profitable, lease nearly 100% of available space, raise international profile, and establish over 100 high-tech startups in the Philadelphia region. After an exciting seven years, Jill R. Felix, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of The University City Science Center, today announced her intention to leave the organization in September, 2004, after the Science Center's 40th anniversary celebration. Felix, the Science Center's first female chief executive officer as well as its first private sector executive, joined the organization in 1997 after serving as a partner of Liberty Property Trust. Under Felix's stewardship, the Science Center achieved profitability; leased 93% of available space; and supported over 100 high-tech companies now generating revenue, jobs and ideas for the Delaware Valley The Delaware Valley is the name of the metropolitan area centered on the city of Philadelphia in the United States. The region is named for the Delaware River which flows through it. . Felix also established the Science Center's 'business mentoring program', and recently encouraged the Japan Technology Group, the first Japanese-owned technology transfer firm based in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , to establish its U.S. headquarters in Philadelphia's Science Center. She has just returned from Ghana as a member of the first of several United Nations missions to West Africa West Africa A region of western Africa between the Sahara Desert and the Gulf of Guinea. It was largely controlled by colonial powers until the 20th century. West African adj. & n. where Felix was asked to bring her expertise in research park development, as well as international investment to the project. "I was chosen to transition the Science Center from a financially struggling research institution to an economically viable business," says Felix. "I am proud to have fulfilled my assignment. We are now profitable, have over 1.7 million square feet of research park leased and have supported start-up businesses that are creating wealth in our region. I believe that now is the best time for a change in leadership as we continue to grow and prosper." Felix's colleagues at the Science Center applaud her years of hard work, dedication, and accomplishments for the organization. "During her tenure, Jill built a new board and recruited top management talent," says Richard P. Jaffe, chairman of the Science Center. "She leaves the Science Center in a firm financial position. Jill has created an important legacy of which she and the shareholders can be proud." Judith Rodin Judith Rodin (born 1944) Ph.D., is the first female president of an Ivy League university. She served as the seventh president of the University of Pennsylvania from 1994-2004 and in 2005 was named president of the Rockefeller Foundation. A Penn alumna, she received her Ph.D. , president of the University of Pennsylvania (body, education) University of Pennsylvania - The home of ENIAC and Machiavelli. http://upenn.edu/. Address: Philadelphia, PA, USA. , the Science Center's largest shareholder agrees, "As CEO of the Science Center, Jill made an important contribution to the technology and West Philadelphia communities. Her energy, creativity, and enthusiasm will be missed." Felix will continue to play an important role in the region's civic, cultural and technology communities, serving on the boards of International House, Walnut Street Theater, University of the Arts University of the Arts may refer to:
ABOUT THE SCIENCE CENTER The Science Center (http://www.ScienceCenter.org) nurtures entrepreneurial technology companies by providing research space, commercialization services, and advisory oversight. Support for the organization comes from top area academic and research institutions, including Thomas Jefferson University It began as Jefferson Medical College in 1824. On July 1, 1969 the institution officially became Thomas Jefferson University. The university is made up of three colleges:
For more information about the Science Center and the programs it offers, please contact Garrett Allen at Gregory FCA FCA Abbreviation for the Free Carrier Communications Inc., at 610-642-8253, or Garrett@GregoryFCA.com. |
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