The I-270 Life Sciences and Biotech Corridor

Brian is the Director of Manufacturing at the Kite Pharma manufacturing facility in Frederick, MD. He has experience in biotechnology process development, clinical and commercial manufacturing, project management, and Manufacturing Sciences spanning 20 years at Eli Lilly, MedImmune / AstraZeneca, Lonza, and Kite. He has led or contributed to multiple facility design and startup programs, in addition to leading Manufacturing teams and Manufacturing Sciences teams. Brian lives in Middletown, MD with his wife and three teen-age daughters.

Judy Costello is the Managing Director, Economic Development for BioHealth Innovation, Inc., which works to grow the biohealth industry in the BioHealth Capital Region (Maryland, DC and Virginia). A longtime supporter of the region’s entrepreneur and innovation communities, Judy joined BHI in 2017 after serving as Director of the Maryland Department of Commerce's Office of BioHealth and Life Sciences and as Deputy Director of the the department's BioMaryland Center. She previously worked for fifteen years as Executive Director of the Business Alliance organizing venture pitch forums, entrepreneur bootcamps, technology transfer showcases, educational seminars, and other programs connecting entrepreneurs, faculty innovators, students, and industry leaders in Maryland, DC and Virginia with each other and with those providing funding and other resources to young companies.

Christy Wyskiel is the Senior Advisor to the President of Johns Hopkins University on matters of innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship. In this role, she leads Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures, a division of the university responsible for technology transfer, industry research partnerships, and company incubation under the brand ‘FastForward’. Since her appointment in 2013, Christy has transformed the culture of commercialization at Johns Hopkins, opening 44,000 square feet of FastForward innovation space to support startup companies, securing over $100mm of new corporate partnership revenue, and facilitating the creation of 50+ companies. JHU companies have raised over $2.0 billion in venture capital during her tenure. Christy is a fierce advocate for the future of Baltimore and the role that Johns Hopkins University can play in populating the city skyline with companies borne, built and grown locally. Christy is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and ecosystem builder with 25 years of experience primarily focused on the life sciences and healthcare industries. Prior to her role at Johns Hopkins, Christy co-founded two Baltimore based startups and served as a formal and informal advisor to many others. Prior to that, Christy worked as an institutional investor where she had a long track record of successful investing in both public and private companies. In 2018, the Baltimore Sun named Christy as one of 25 Women to Watch. Also in 2018, the Baltimore Business Journal named Christy to the Power 10, a group of leaders who are making a significant impact on their companies and communities. In 2016, she was a Baltimore Business Journal “Tech 10” Award recipient, and in 2015, one of 10 “Faces to Watch.” Christy serves on the Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board as an appointee of Governor Hogan, working across sectors to drive Maryland’s preeminence in the life sciences industry. Christy also co-chairs Baltimore’s Next Generation Investing Event, an event she co-founded in 2009, which has raised over $500,000 for three K-8 education initiatives in Baltimore City. In 2015, Christy served as a member of the Maryland Economic Development and Business Climate Commission, known as the “Augustine Commission.” In 2014, she was added to the Board of Trustees of the Abell Foundation and the Baltimore Development Corp. From 2012-2014, she served on the board of the Maryland State Retirement Plan (MSRP), which oversees $3 billion in defined contribution assets of state employees. She was part of Leadership Maryland’s 2016 Class. Christy has a BA in Economics and German from Williams College and an MBA in Accounting and Finance from the Stern School of Business at New York University. She lives in Baltimore City with her husband, two children, and a cat. In her free time, she enjoys Baltimore’s farmers’ markets, biking on her Peloton, yoga, and golf (where she is regularly outmatched by her 14 year old son).

Greg Harraka joined Coakley & Williams Construction in 1986 and has almost 40 years’ experience in the construction industry. As Partner and Senior Vice President he oversees the successful execution and completion of projects, establishes and implements corporate policies relating to performance standards, purchasing, subcontracting, scheduling, cost control, safety, quality control, commissioning, project close out, and warranty service. Greg is currently the Principal in Charge on the 260,000 SF Kite TCF05 Cell Therapy Manufacturing Facility project off I-270 in Urbana, MD. This project will be a cutting- edge biomanufacturing facility for the production of T-Cell therapies focused on curing cancer.

As a Principal with StonebridgeCarras, Kent Marquis focuses on financial strategies relative to acquisitions, asset management, and dispositions. He manages relationships with current and prospective financing partners, directs the underwriting of potential investment properties, manages the firm’s investment assets, and reports on all investments to lenders and investors. He has more than twenty years of experience in the real estate industry with complex joint venture structures spanning a diverse range of property types. Prior to joining StonebridgeCarras, Mr. Marquis worked in public accounting with Reznick Group in audit/compliance. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting from Husson University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Marquis served as co-chair of the District of Columbia Building Industry Association Capital Markets Committee from 2014-2016. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and serves as a mentor in the ULI Mentorship Program.

Since joining Scheer Partners in 2003, Matt Brady, Senior Vice President has successfully completed commercial real estate transactions for over 1,000,000 square feet of office, R&D and industrial space totaling close to $100 million in transaction value. For over six years Matt has concentrated his efforts on providing comprehensive real estate services and has extensive experience in executing complex projects consisting of leasing, strategic facility planning/consulting, acquisitions and financing. Matt’s knowledge of the market and dedicated problem-solving skills has enhanced his ability to add value to transactions through skilled and professional advice, superior negotiating skills and unique technical aptitude.

Raj Vora is a life sciences core market leader at DPR Construction, one of the top technical builders and the #1 ranked pharmaceutical contractor in the U.S. for the last 5 years (ENR 2017-2021). Raj has more than 20 years of experience in the A/E/C industry, with emphasis on Life Sciences where he has delivered complex engineering and construction projects at a high level of quality while maintaining budget and schedule requirements. Focused on cell/gene therapy projects and companywide resources, he works across DPR to help our teams excel in the life sciences core market, which is focused on understanding and better serving customers in the areas of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, bio-agricultural, medical device and research institutes.

Lynne Stein Benzion is MCEDC’s Director of Economic Development, charged with helping businesses locate, grow and expand in the county. For much of her 20-year economic development career, life sciences has been her main area of focus. She has assisted companies at every stage including startups (On Demand Pharmaceuticals, Autonomous Therapeutics), emerging companies (Seraxis, Deka Biosciences), commercial-stage businesses (REGENXBIO, Vigene Biosciences, Supernus) and global corporations (QIAGEN, Novavax). Her knowledge in life sciences and the local business community gives her unmatched expertise. Lynne also initiated and led an MCEDC team that worked with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for a year to develop MCEDC’s Equity Economic Development Plan, and now leads the team executing the plan. Previous to MCEDC, Lynne was the Vice President of Strategic Planning for the Business Development Board in Palm Beach County, Florida, where she was responsible for short-and long-term planning, special projects, and strategy development. She also served as Deputy Director for much of her ten years at Rockville Economic Development, Inc. In addition to retention and redevelopment duties covering a wide range of industries, she orchestrated major conferences including the Annual Postdoc Conference and Career Fair, and was a public face of the organization, regularly tapped by media for her business expertise. A graduate of the University of Virginia, she holds a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation, earned by only 1,300 people nationwide. It indicates extensive experience and continuous education in the field. She is active on IEDC’s Higher Education Advisory Committee and its Redefining Equitable Economic Development Committee and as a CEcD mentor, and is also a graduate of Leadership Montgomery, Class of 2012.

As a market president for United Bank, Steve is responsible for the management and operation of all bank offices in the Suburban Maryland area, including client relationships and new business development. Prior to this role, Steve was a commercial lender with United for 13 years, working with international, national and local real estate developers who focus on multifamily development, retail, office, residential homebuilding and industrial properties. He also serves on the board for the Catholic Charities Golf Classic and is involved in the corporate work study program with Don Bosco Cristo Rey high school, which allows students to apply classroom learning to the workplace.