Robert T. Skunda was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of  the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park in November 1997. The mission of the Park is to develop Virginia's biotechnology and biomedical industries, to foster technology transfer from life science research at Virginia universities, to build a nucleus of new economic activity in Richmond and Virginia, and to enhance the development of Virginia Commonwealth University as a leading academic research institution. Currently, the Park has over 45 private sector companies, several research institutes and non-profits, and four state labs which employ over 1,400 people in eight buildings located on the Research Park.

As Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Mr. Skunda directed 15 agencies and more than 2,000 employees in promoting the Commonwealth's economic stability, development, and growth. Among his responsibilities, Mr. Skunda led the Governor's high-profile initiative to restructure and revitalize Virginia's efforts to attract and retain private investment and create new jobs. In the four years of Mr. Skunda's leadership, an all-time record $14 billion in capital expenditures was committed by companies in the Commonwealth, leading to almost 300,000 net new jobs. These include new operations by such well-known international companies as Avis, Motorola, Siemens, IBM, Toshiba, Frito-Lay, and Gateway 2000. Indeed, Virginia's success in attracting three multi-billion dollar semiconductor factories and other high technology companies in recent years has earned it the title of "the Silicon Dominion" in U.S. News and World Report.

An architect and planner by training, Mr. Skunda was a Managing Principal for 14 years at the Fairfax headquarters of Dewberry & Davis, one of the nation's largest architectural and engineering firms.

Mr. Skunda has been involved in a variety of civic and professional
organizations, including serving as chairman of both the Virginia and
Fairfax County Chambers of Commerce. He has also held a number of gubernatorial appointments to commissions examining technology, economic development and local government issues in Virginia.

Virginia Biotechnology Research Park
800 East Leigh Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219