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DECATUR Bio Analytical SERVICES, LLC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9 A.M. CST, March 10, 2006
Formation of Decatur Bio-Analytical Services,
LLC. Announced Robin King named as Chief Executive officer
DECATUR, IL, MARCH 6, 2006: Illinois Ventures for Community
Action, InDecatur Ventures and David R. Snoeyenbos have joined
forces to form Decatur Bio-analytical Services and to acquire
the primary ownership interest in EPL – BAS from Ms.
Susan Bird. In a related move, the new company
announced that it had hired Ms. Robin King as the new CEO
of EPL – BAS, effective November, 2005. Ms. King
is an industry veteran with more than 20 years of industry
experience, including work in leadership positions at Monsanto
and most recently Romer Labs.
David R. Snoeyenbos, a long-time investor in EPL – BAS,
said: “We are thrilled to have an individual of Robin
King’s technical and leadership capabilities and industry
stature join us as the new CEO of EPL – BAS. As
investors, we are obviously excited about the future of this
business; the fact that Robin was willing to begin her work
here prior to our having actually completed the transaction
speaks volumes about her outlook for the success for the business
and for her commitment to help achieve that success.
It is also important to recognize the key contribution of
Susan Bird in achieving this transaction. Susan’s
commitment to the ongoing future of this business is a key
reason we are able to make today’s successful announcement.”
Robin King added: “I was attracted to EPL – BAS
because of the quality of the work that it does and the quality
of the professionals here who do that work. These are
the reasons why I believe so strongly in the future of this
business. Today EPL is a key player in performing critical
scientific analysis for seed manufacturers and others in the
food industry. This is an industry whose demands for
the services provided by firms like EPL are undergoing dramatic
growth. I strongly believe EPL, with its proven track
record, experienced professionals and unique technical capabilities
can play a major role in meeting this growth in industry needs.
I am excited to be part of this opportunity.”
John Farrell, President and CEO of Illinois Ventures for Community
Action added: “IVCA has been proud to have been an investor
in EPL – BAS for several years. We have been and
we remain committed to helping this business realize the full
potential of the opportunity that clearly seems to exist today.
We are clearly excited about playing a lead role in establishing
this new entity, Decatur Bio-analytical Services, and in acquiring
for the company the primary ownership position in EPL –
BAS. Our success would not have been possible without
the cooperation and support of the local officials of Regions
Bank. Everyone who was involved in this effort worked
towards a common goal of establishing a business with a much
improved financial foundation. We believe
the outlook is exceptionally promising, and this outlook is
greatly enhanced by the strong leadership provided by Robin
King.”
Larry Altenbaumer, Fund Manager for InDecatur Ventures, commented:
“We have been working with Dave Snoeyenbos and John
Farrell for much of the past year in an effort to develop
and complete this opportunity. We are obviously delighted
that we could play a role in this exciting business opportunity
that not only helps retain more than twenty existing professional
jobs, but also paves the way for the promise of significant
future growth. This transaction gives the employees
of EPL the opportunity to succeed. Seeing their excitement
and enthusiasm provides its own unique gratification.
Being able to retain this opportunity in Decatur was a high
priority for all of us involved in this transaction.”
EPL – Bio-Analytical Services is a contract research
laboratory providing analytical services to the agricultural,
chemical and biotechnology industries, in full compliance
with United States Environmental Protection Agency Good Laboratory
Practice standards.
Illinois Ventures for Community Action is a not-for-profit
venture capital firm organized in 1984 by a network of Illinois
Community Action Agencies and the Department of Commerce and
Economic Opportunity with an objective of providing imaginative
and innovative financial solutions to help businesses throughout
the state increase job creation.
InDecatur Ventures is a venture capital firm organized in
2003 with a goal of helping support business and economic
development in the greater-Decatur area through investments
in start-up, early stage and business growth opportunities.
InDecatur’s work is enhanced through a collaborative
partnership with Millikin University’s Center for Entrepreneurship.
David R. Snoeyenbos is an individual investor and local businessman;
David formerly owned and managed Decatur’s Airfloat
Systems, which engineered and constructed specialized air
bearing material handling equipment.
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Formation of Decatur Bio-Analytical Announced and Robin King
Named as CEO
Date: 03/10/06
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