July 7, 2006

Sebelius names former governor to Bioscience Authority
John Carlin served as Kansas governor, national archivist

Kansas is well-positioned to create jobs and advance the frontiers of medicine, agriculture and countless other industries thanks to the creation of the Kansas Bioscience Authority in 2004.

To help bring high-tech companies and cutting-edge breakthroughs to Kansas, Governor Kathleen Sebelius today appointed former Governor John Carlin to the authority.

“John has a breadth of experience here in Kansas and at the national level in both business and government.  He’ll be a great addition to an organization which is working to move our state forward by bringing in new, high-tech jobs.  Kansas has a real potential to recruit businesses that will find new cures and new products, and I’m going to continue working with the Bioscience Authority to realize that potential,” said Sebelius.

The Kansas Bioscience Authority is tasked with making Kansas a leader in plant, animal and human bioscience research, leading to the creation of jobs and economic growth in the state.  The authority has the ability to direct resources to encourage new bioscience firms to come to Kansas and to help existing firms expand.

Carlin served as governor from 1979 to 1987, then later was appointed to serve as archivist of the United States, a position he held from 1995 to 2005.  He also served four terms in the Kansas House of Representatives, including one term as speaker.

From 1990 to 1994, he served as vice chairman of the board and CEO of Midwest Superconductivity, Inc., Lawrence, a technology physics research and development company.  He also was a partner in Economic Development Associates, Topeka, a consulting firm specializing in international trade consulting, from 1987 to 1992.  Currently, he is chairman of the National Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production. 

Carlin currently serves as a visiting professor/executive-in-residence at Kansas State University.  He has served as a visiting lecturer at the University of Kansas; a visiting professor of public administration and international trade at Wichita State University; an adjunct professor of political science at Washburn University; and a gubernatorial fellow and visiting lecturer at Duke University.

Carlin’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate.  He will fulfill an unexpired four-year term.

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