Huntsville, Ala. – The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology announced today that Danny Windham will join the Institute as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Windham brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to HudsonAlpha, serving as President and COO at Adtran (2005 – 2007) as well as CEO at Digium (2007 – 2018). He is actively involved in the entrepreneurial community — as a mentor and board member — and has supported the development of multiple startups including HudsonAlpha associate companies Discovery Life Sciences (formerly Conversant Bio) and Kailos Genetics.
“I have great admiration for the founders and leaders of HudsonAlpha,” said Windham. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to work alongside such a talented team and help ensure the Institute’s mission endures for years to come.”
Windham earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from Mississippi State University, where he was named a Distinguished Engineering Fellow in 2001, and an MBA from Florida Tech.
“Danny is well-known to the Huntsville research and technology community for his leadership, advocacy and wisdom,” said Rick Myers, PhD, HudsonAlpha president and science director. “We are honored and excited to have him join the HudsonAlpha team.”
Windham also has a strong commitment to giving back to his community. In doing so, he serves on multiple boards including the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, Biztech and Leadership Alabama. He was also chairman of the Madison YMCA fundraising committee and a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight, a nonprofit organization that provides free air transportation for individuals with any legitimate, charitable, medically related need.
Windham also has served on the HudsonAlpha Board of Directors and on Committees of the Board for the past nine years, providing advice and insight as the Institute has continued to grow.
“Danny’s guidance as a board member has helped us accomplish the vision that Lonnie McMillian and I dreamed of for HudsonAlpha,” said Jim Hudson, HudsonAlpha co-founder. “His leadership experience and expertise will help advance our commitment to discovery, education, genomic medicine and innovation. We are thrilled to welcome him as COO.”
About HudsonAlpha: HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is a nonprofit institute dedicated to developing and applying scientific advances to health, agriculture, learning, and commercialization. Opened in 2008, HudsonAlpha’s vision is to leverage the synergy between discovery, education, medicine, and economic development in genomic sciences to improve the human condition around the globe. The HudsonAlpha biotechnology campus consists of 152 acres nestled within Cummings Research Park, the nation’s second largest research park. The state-of-the-art facilities co-locate nonprofit scientific researchers with entrepreneurs and educators. HudsonAlpha has become a national and international leader in genetics and genomics research and biotech education and includes more than 30 diverse biotech companies on campus. To learn more about HudsonAlpha, visit hudsonalpha.org.
Media Contact:
Margetta Thomas
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