BioCrossroads recently announced the first recipient of the "Indiana Life Sciences Champion of the Year."  Appropriately, the accolade went to Mr. Leonard Betley, President and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation.

The award recognizes an individual who has made, "significant achievements in the development and promotion of Indiana's life sciences sector; personifies the emerging face of the Indiana life sciences industry; and promotes innovative development of the life sciences in Indiana."  Certainly Leonard fits the bill and his collaborative work in the life sciences sector is without question.

I had the privilege of working with Leonard when he was an attorney, and Managing Partner, at Ice Miller and in fact he recruited me to the Firm in 1980.  I consider Leonard a colleague and friend and couldn't be more pleased that his achievements are getting some well deserved recognition.  Leonard has had a remarkable career.  Throughout, his quiet effectiveness always lead those that he worked with, whether law partners, scientists or business people, to a successful event.  He had the uncanny knack of seeing the future and orchestrating people and events to take advantage of that vision.  Part of the folklore at Ice Miller is a retired partner's statement about him "I just wish Leonard would tell us how this is all going to work out."

In announcing the award, Gus Watanabe, of BioCrossroads wrote, "In you, we indeed found the perfect way to begin a long and distinguished tradition of honoring Indiana's true 'life science champions.'"  Well said.

Read the press release announcing the award.