Fernandez develops life sciences partnership

Mayor John Fernandez developed the Bloomington Life Sciences Partnership, an extension of the Central Indiana Life Sciences Initiative, in an effort to bring leaders of local life science, medical and health related organizations together.\nTo expand on the initiative, Fernandez, who formed the partnership in November, selected Steve Bryant as the project's director.\n"Steve brings a great amount of energy and resources with him," Fernandez said in a press release. "With Steve as project director, I have no doubt Bloomington will become a major player in the life sciences arena."\nThe life sciences industry has added 900 companies, 82,000 jobs, and $13.7 billion in economic output to central Indiana's economy, according to Bio-Crossroads, a central Indiana life sciences network.\n"Our mission is to create an environment where life science is a key player in Bloomington," Bryant said. \nThe Bloomington Life Sciences Partnership will serve as an intermediary to connect Bloomington to the Central Indiana Life Sciences Initiative to further technology commercialization in Bloomington.\nAs project director, Bryant, a 1992 IU graduate, will evaluate the resources and assets available in Bloomington, targeting certain companies and organizations that could be vital to the partnership. His findings will be reported to a five-member steering committee.\nBryant said he is looking to involve the Bloomington community as much as possible and see what strengths Bloomington has to offer. He said that strategic planning will be crucial to the success of the partnership.\n"There will be much action earlier on," Bryant said. "The process (now) will create opportunities later on."\nThis early planning will help to get a sense of what the realistic expectations of all the stake holders will be and will help to get a sense of actual things that can be accomplished, Bryant said. He expects that as the partnership grows, many opportunities will be created for University graduates.\nBryant is currently the vice president and director of business and community development with the Indiana Health and Industry Forum, leading efforts to connect Indiana's expanding health and life sciences industries. These efforts include developing and implementing networks and programs that will promote entrepreneurship and new businesses for IHIF.\nBryant, who graduated with a bachelor of arts in political science, has worked as an aid to U.S. Sens. Richard Lugar and Dan Coats, both of Indiana. He has extensive experience in government relations, project management and administration, business marketing and communications. \nBryant said his experience and already knowing the players will be key to his success. From his background and previous experience with government, Bryant has already established contacts within IU, the city of Bloomington, and with many state officials, which he said will be helpful in the new position.\nThe partnership is co-chaired by Mark Moore, Bloomington Hospital and Healthcare System president, and Kumble R. Subbaswamy, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at IU.