The UVI Research and Technology Park (RTPark) Board of Directors announced on Wednesday the appointment of Eric Sonnier as the new Executive Director, effective September 1, 2024.

Sonnier, who currently serves as the director of entrepreneurship at RTPark, will succeed Peter H. Chapman, who will depart on August 31, 2024. READ MORE

Palm Tree LLC,  the modern M&A advisor providing integrated investment banking and consulting services to middle market businesses, today announced the appointment of Christopher Bray as Chief Financial Officer. In this role, Mr. Bray will oversee all aspects of corporate finance and accounting, in addition to executing Palm Tree’s strategic initiatives. READ MORE

O2 Investment Partners (www.o2investment.com) announced today the appointment of Saif Khan as the firm’s newest Associate. Luke Plumpton, Managing Partner, announced the addition saying, “The firm is excited to welcome Saif to the team. He brings valuable transaction and execution experience that will compliment the firm’s continued upward trajectory.” READ MORE

John L Kennedy, FSCP, BBA 1978 is now an Agent for New York Life Insurance Company and a Registered Representative with NYLIFE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC), a Licensed Insurance Agency and a New York Life Company.

Alpen High-Performance Products appointed Lindsey Jensen as its new chief financial officer (CFO). Jensen joins Alpen after holding leadership roles at various companies, including Charlotte’s Web, WhiteWave Foods, Patagonia and, most recently, her consulting firm. READ MORE

William Thompson has been named Hartford, CT-based Church Homes’ new president and CEO.

In February, he succeeded former President and CEO Patrick J. Gilland. Thompson previously held the position of vice president and administrator at Church Homes for eight years and before that spent more than 20 years working in senior living and nursing facilities in Connecticut.  READ MORE

Leading hospitality development and management company 34th Floor Hospitality announces today the expansion of its team with a new key hire: Chief Operating Officer and Partner, Alex Taylor. With decades of experience including over 20 years in high-level leadership roles in hotels and restaurant groups, Taylor brings lifelong passion for hospitality and operations management to the globally recognized firm

After graduating from Duke University and Texas McCombs School of Business, Taylor pivoted from pursuing a law degree to pursuing his passion for hospitality, gaining practical experience in the food & beverage industry with operations position at an independent restaurant group in Washington, D.C…READ MORE

DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. (“Dentsply Sirona” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: XRAY) today announced that Mr. Brian Gladden has been appointed to its Board of Directors (the “Board”), effective January 1, 2024, to fill the vacancy from Mr. Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr.’s retirement on December 31, 2023. READ MORE

The Cancer and Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), the largest state funder of cancer research in the nation, has gained a new board member with the appointment of Dallas attorney Thomas “Tommy” Taylor. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick appointed Taylor to serve on the CPRIT Oversight Committee for a term that expires January 31, 2029.

Taylor has more than 47 years of experience representing companies in all facets of their business, including long range planning, contract negotiation, mergers and acquisitions, financing, state and federal regulations, alternative dispute resolution and litigation. He holds BBA, JD and LLM degrees, and is licensed in the State of Texas and the Supreme Court of the United States.

“The mission of CPRIT – to expedite innovation in research and enhance the potential of breakthroughs in prevention and cures – is very personal to me as my parents, siblings, daughter, brother-in-law and son-in-law all experienced different forms of cancer in their lives, some fatal,” said Taylor. “With my appointment, I hope I can contribute in some manner to the success of this goal for my family and for the citizens of the State of Texas.”

Taylor also has a long record of public service, including previous work with The University of Texas System Chancellor’s Council, the Baylor Scott & White Foundation, and the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin. Taylor and his wife established the Elizabeth Taylor Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at the Baylor Scott & White Foundation and the Anne M. and Thomas A. Taylor Family Endowment for cancer research at universities in The University of Texas System.

Taylor also received the Chancellor William H. McRaven Guardian Angel Award presented by The Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse at the Hicks School of Social Work.

Taylor and his wife Anne live in Dallas. They have four adult children and two grandsons.

READ ABOUT CPRIT HERE

Texas Men’s Tennis seniors Eliot Spizzirri (McCombs) and Micah Braswell were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Men’s Tennis Team, the organization announced Wednesday. Spizzirri was selected for the top honor of Team Member of the Year, while both he and Braswell earned first-team accolades for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. READ MORE