Hollywood, FL (August, 2003) — The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, the nonprofit organization whose sole mission is to support the cure-focused work of the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), recently announced the appointment of its board officers for the 2003/2004 fiscal period.
Those elected to serve are Chairman Marc S. Goodman (Brookville, NY), President and Chief Executive Officer Robert A. Pearlman (Boca Raton, FL), Vice Chairmen William J. Rand, M.D. (Boca Raton, FL), Charles Rizzo (Sands Point, NY) and Thomas D. Stern (New York, NY), Treasurer Steven J. Fishman (North Miami Beach, FL), and Secretary Steven Sonberg (Boca Raton, FL). The immediate past Chairman is Jay N. Goldberg (New York, NY).
The new officers include:
•Chairman Marc S. Goodman is the President of Kenmar Holdings, Inc., a global money management company in Greenwich, Connecticut. In 1996, he and his colleagues established the Stacy Joy Goodman Chair in Diabetes at the Diabetes Research Institute School of Medicine, in memory of his beloved daughter who passed away at age 17 from complications of Type 1 diabetes. DRI Scientific Director Dr. Camillo Ricordi holds this distinguished title.
•Immediate past Chairman Jay N. Goldberg is an entrepreneur who has spent his career in the computer industry. He is a founder and senior managing partner of Hudson Ventures, a New York-based, venture capital firm that invests in early stage technology companies. He also founded Opcenter, LLC in New York, Zeitech, Inc. in Manhattan, and Lexstra International in London. Goldberg was first appointed to the DRI Foundation board in 1994, served as President from 1996 to 2000, and as Chairman from 2000 through 2003.
•President and CEO Robert A. Pearlman joined the Hollywood-based organization in 1993 as Executive Vice President. During his tenure, the size and scope of the Foundation has broadened, and annual revenue has grown more than ten-fold to accommodate the increasing needs of the Institute.
•Vice Chairman William J. Rand, M.D., founder and director of the Rand Eye Institute in Pompano Beach, Florida, has been involved in the political aspects of health care reform as an advisor to senators and congressman. He became involved with the Foundation nearly 20 years ago when his one-year-old son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. He has served on the Foundation’s board of directors since 1990 and was recently named Chairman of the newly established Florida regional board.
•Vice Chairman Charles Rizzo is the President of Charles Rizzo & Associate Building and Zoning Law Consultants in New York City. His clients include some of the largest architectural firms, commercial real estate owners, management companies and many Fortune 500 companies. Considered the leader in his field, he also applies that same dedication to finding a cure for his daughter.
•Vice Chairman Thomas D. Stern serves as managing director and a principal of Chieftain Capital Management in New York City. After his then two-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1999, he made finding a cure his top priority and soon discovered the pioneering research being conducted at the DRI. In 2002, he and his wife made a $1 million gift to support the Institute’s vital research areas. In recognition of their generosity, the Dr. Denise R. and Thomas D. Stern Fast Track Center bears their name.
•Treasurer Steven J. Fishman, a South Florida business owner, became involved with the organization 15 years ago as a result of his parents having diabetes. He is the owner of Prescriptions Direct, a company that assists individuals in purchasing prescriptions from Canada at discounted prices, and Fishman’s Smoked Fish Company, an importer of smoked salmon.
•Secretary Steven Sonberg is a senior partner at Holland & Knight, LLP, where he heads the National Corporate Practice Group and is the partner in charge of the firm’s South Florida Corporate Finance Practice. He has been a member of the board of directors since 1980 and served as Chairman from 1990 to 1996, and as President from 1984 to 1986.
Now presiding over the 48-member board, the officers were welcomed at the June quarterly meeting, which also paid tribute to outgoing Chairman Jay N. Goldberg for almost a decade of exemplary leadership.
Incoming Chairman Marc S. Goodman extended gratitude to Goldberg, on behalf of the entire board, faculty and staff of the DRI and Foundation.
“During the time that you have served at the helm of this organization, we have significantly grown, doubling our revenue from $6 million to over $12 million. Though you came to the DRI with no personal interest in diabetes, you had a selfless interest in helping the Foundation succeed, and we are deeply grateful for your generosity, expertise and guidance,” he said, presenting Goldberg with an award of appreciation.
The Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research. Pioneering new technologies in islet cell transplantation since the early 1970’s, the DRI has successfully reversed diabetes in patients involved in ongoing clinical trials. Much of the research is now directed at transplanting insulin-producing cells without the need for powerful anti-rejection drugs and obtaining enough islet cells to treat all people with this disease. For the millions of families already affected by diabetes and who are looking to the world of science for answers, the Diabetes Research Institute is the best hope for a cure.
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Media Contacts:
Lauren Schreier — lschreier@drif.org
Lori Weintraub, APR — lweintraub@drif.org
(954) 964-4040
(800) 321-3437