Life Science Surge in the Greater D.C. Region

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.

Pete Briskman is currently Executive Managing Director and Co-Lead for JLL's Mid-Atlantic Life Sciences Practice. Previously, he was the Broker Lead for JLL’s Maryland region overseeing all brokerage operations for both Baltimore and Bethesda offices. His primary focus is working closely with the region’s most visible Life Sciences and Government Contracting organizations, assisting them with strategic real estate planning, lease/purchase structuring, negotiations, municipal incentives and overall transaction management for his clients’ with leased and owned real estate portfolios. Experience Pete has over twenty years of experience leading complex real estate assignments nationally for headquarter transactions, custom build-to-suits, consolidations, expansions, and site selection of technical facilities to support his clients’ business needs. He is a multiple recipient of GWCAR’s award for Commercial Leasing Broker of the Year and Leasing Transaction of the Year. He has also been recognized by the Maryland Daily Record’s Power 100 List 2021. Education and affiliations Pete graduated from McDaniel College with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He is Vice Chairman of the Board for BioHealth Innovation and sits on the Alumni Council for McDaniel College and Advisory Council for Junior Achievement. Pete is from Montgomery County where he still resides with his wife and three children.

In his dual roles as Vice President for University Partnerships at the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) and Executive Director of the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund, Dan oversees programs on university research, tech transfer, and commercialization and innovation that contribute to Maryland’s economic growth. His experience in and outside of the laboratory has made him a proven leader and champion for university research and development. He is dedicated to increasing research capacity for Maryland scientists, supporting cutting-edge technology development, and ultimately, developing cures for debilitating diseases. Dan received his BS and PhD in biochemistry and neuroscience from the Ben-Gurion University, Israel, and his postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins University.

William Gaudreau, AIA is a managing principal at EwingCole, where he directs the master planning, programming/strategic planning and design initiatives for many of the firm’s science and high technology clients, including Fortune 500 corporations, emerging technology companies, college and universities, and state and federal laboratories across the county. Over the past 30 years, Bill has overseen the programming, design and construction of more than 100 life sciences projects, including research and development laboratories, vivaria, and FDA validated cGMP production facilities. He is a frequent speaker on facility planning and has published numerous articles on a wide variety of industry topics.

Brad Stewart is a serial biotech entrepreneur working to grow Montgomery County, Maryland’s economy. At the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, he leads strategy and innovation and also an expert team of economic development specialists focused on growing a diverse cross-section of businesses—including the life sciences, technology, cybersecurity, defense and hospitality. He chaired Maryland Life Sciences for a decade, the State affiliate of BIO, and is currently Chair of the Maryland Tech Council. Previously, Brad served as Chief Executive Officer of Immunology Partners and Chief Executive Officer of Cylex, Inc., where he executed a turnaround for an early-stage, venture capital-backed company (Roche, Siemens, Canaan Partners). 

Mr. Bendis is an entrepreneur, corporate executive, venture capitalist, investment banker, innovation and technology-based economic development leader, international speaker and consultant in the technology and healthcare industries. He currently serves as the founding President and CEO of Innovation America (IA), a national public-private partnership focused on accelerating the growth of innovation economy in America. As one of the most recognized experts in the field of innovation economy, Mr. Bendis has served on numerous distinguished boards and task forces including the White House U.S. Innovation Partnership Advisory Task Force, the Small Business Innovation Research Committee, the National Association of State Venture Funds board; State Science and Technology Institute, and the Ernst and Young Entrepreneurial Institute as a national/regional Judge. Mr. Bendis has provided global consulting services to over 16 countries and 22 states, several cities and regions, along with international organizations including the United Nations, NATO, UK Trade and Industry, European Commission, French Embassy, the German Marshall Fund, The Canadian Consulate, METI, AKEA, the International Science Parks and Innovation Expert Group and other global entities. Mr. Bendis is a frequent consultant and speaker to 16 International innovation based economic development organizations, as well as over 20 states, regions and cities throughout the U.S. He was voted one of the Top 5 Speakers on innovation economy in 2012.