Presentation and Discussion to Focus on Moving beyond Start-up Mode toward Long-Term Success
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 8, 2010) – The Utah Technology Council today announced that Gary L. Crocker, 2010 inductee into the UTC Hall of Fame, will lead a discussion with Utah entrepreneurs and other business leaders about how to create major, sustainable enterprises at a UTC industry breakfast Nov. 12.
At this event, Crocker will explore the capital cycle planning techniques and management strategies and structures Utah companies will need to put in place to grow their organizations for long-term success – rather than selling out prematurely for a fraction of their true value.
“Gary is a tremendous champion of the idea that with the proper planning and relationships in place, dynamic Utah technology companies can build market caps in excess of a billion dollars,” said Richard Nelson, UTC president and CEO. “Given Gary’s vision and track record, and the number of brilliant Utah entrepreneurs and companies, I see no reason to disagree with him. This promises to be a can’t-miss event.”
Crocker is president of Crocker Ventures, a privately-held life science investment firm funding differentiated technologies in the areas of biotechnology and medical devices. He is also chairman of Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, an innovative and rapidly-growing personalized oncology drug company, a position he has held since 2004. Crocker has served as chairman of ARUP Laboratories, director of Interleuken Genetics and LineaGen Genetics LLC, and co-founder and director of Theratech, which was acquired in 1999 by Watson Pharmaceuticals. Gary was the founder of Research Medical, Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of specialty cardiac catheters and related medical devices utilized in open heart surgeries that was acquired by Baxter International in 1997 in what was the largest medical device merger in Utah history.
Crocker was inducted into the UTC Hall of Fame Oct. 30, 2010 along with former Utah Gov. Michael O. Leavitt and the late medical device innovator Dale H. Ballard. Crocker’s presentation, “Moving Beyond Start-up Mode: Doing the Hard Work of Creating Sustainable, Scalable Utah Businesses” will be held Nov. 12 2010 from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at the Little America Hotel. For more information or to register for the event, visit:www.utahtechcouncil.org
About Utah Technology Council
Utah’s premier professional association, the Utah Technology Council has grown 20% a year for the past 8 years becoming the essential business resource for high-tech, life science and clean-tech companies seeking to achieve greater success. At its core, UTC exists to foster the Growth of the state’s over 5,700 technology companies, ensure Utah develops the highest Quality Workforce in the nation, and attract an ever-increasing array of Funding. Members join UTC to share insights with industry peers, counsel with government and academic leaders, and receive help from professional service providers and funding resources. To become a member of this “must-join” organization, visitwww.utahtechcouncil.org or call 801-568-3500 today.