Board Member Spotlight: Meet Jonathon (Jon) Lawrie

Horizons in Hemophilia, May 2013

By Millie Rondon, Office Manager
Last year Bob Carton, a long-time member of HoG’s Board of Directors, with over 20 years of service, rolled off the Board.  Before doing so, however, Bob made a promise to himself and HoG to be on the lookout for a suitable replacement to fill the vacated seat.  Enter Jon Lawrie, Bob’s recommendation!

Jon is currently a consultant based in Asheville, North Carolina and assists early stage biotechnology ventures with their strategic planning and fundraising activities.  In addition to HoG, Jon also serves on the Board of Directors of Stone Medical Corporation and is an adjunct professor in the College of Business at Western Carolina University.

Jon Lawrie was voted onto HoG’s Board of Directors in May 2012 and immediately began attending Board meetings even though the drive is approximately four hours each way (and that’s how long it should take if he doesn’t run into traffic)!  There has only been one meeting since that time that Jon was been unable to attend in person but even that meeting he made arrangements to attend…via conference call!  I don’t know about you, but it seems to me that Bob Carton chose well when recommending Jon Lawrie as a candidate to serve on HoG’s Board of Directors.

So what does Jon Lawrie bring to our Board and organization other than what is an obvious commitment to volunteer service?  He brings with him a knowledge and expertise “right down our alley” - a scientific background!  Jon has a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology, a B.A. in biology and, therefore, is quite familiar with the behind-the-scenes activities involved in research projects.  On top of that, Jon has a Master’s degree in entrepreneurship and is a venture capitalist.

Jon also brings with him experience that runs the gamut from R&D and management at major pharmaceutical companies, involvement in the development of rapid and sensitive human diagnostic assays, including blood screening assays for HIV that have been used in American and European hospitals, to co-founding several biotechnology companies,  one of which develops vaccines for mosquito borne viruses (and these are just to name a few).  On top of all this, Jon has served on many corporate and community boards and committees.

Jon, a native of Michigan, has been married to his lovely wife, Dawson, for 30 years.  Together they have two sons:  Jackson, their younger son, is an active tennis player and high school junior and Roger, their older son, is a biology major at Appalachian State University.  I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!  After Jackson graduates from high school, Jon and Dawson hope to relocate to the Atlanta area.  Welcome Jon!