Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation announced that Len Cason has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors during its annual meeting today.
Cason has been an attorney with the Oklahoma City firm of Hartzog Conger Cason and Neville for the past thirteen years. He has been a member of OMRF’s board of directors since 1991 after three years on the Associate Board. Since 1995, Cason has been chairman of the development committee, which oversees fundraising, outreach, and community relations for the Foundation. In 2000, he received the Distinguished Service Award from OMRF, the highest honor presented to members of the Board of Directors.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve as Chairman for OMRF’s Board of Directors. This is an exciting time for the Foundation and I look forward to its continued success,” said Cason. “Our scientists are receiving worldwide recognition, our facilities and staff continue to grow and expand, and we have raised over $74 million of our 100 million campaign in only two years.”
In addition, Virginia Groendyke of Enid was approved as a new member of the board. Mrs. Groendyke and her husband John own and operate Groendyke Trucking. Active in her community, Mrs. Groendyke has served on the Enid Public Schools foundation, the University of Oklahoma’s Friends and Alumni Board, as Chairman of the Phillips University Board of Trustees, and on the Enid-Phillips Symphony Board. She has also served on the boards of the YWCA and Foster Grandparent Program. She is also active in her church.
In other business, the OMRF Board of Directors received a report from the Scientific Board of Visitors. The SBV is comprised to top national and international scientists and annually reviews one department at OMRF. This year, the SBV reviewed OMRF’s Cardiovascular Biology Program, headed by Charles Esmon, Ph.D. The program received an outstanding review from the SBV, which noted scientific publications and progress in its assessment.
