Life Science Veteran Terry Bruggeman Joins Benefunder Board
Foundation to Leverage Business Leader’s Deep Financial, Governance and Operational Experience
July 7, 2015 – Benefunder, a foundation that connects philanthropists with top research causes across the nation, is pleased to announce biotech and business leader Terry Bruggeman has joined its Board of Trustees.
Bruggeman currently serves as executive chairman of BioTork, LLC, an industrial biotechnology company developing third generation biofuels, renewable chemicals and related co-products; and executive chairman of Evolugate LLC, a developer of advanced evolution technologies.
He has also served on numerous nonprofit boards, including California State University San Marcos and the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, and is currently a board member of BIOCOM, Chairman's Roundtable, and Lincoln Park Zoological Society.
"Terry brings deep financial, governance, and operational experience to the Benefunder board. We're lucky to have him and look forward to benefiting from his vast network and hands on approach," said Christian Braemer, Benefunder's cofounder and CEO.
Bruggeman’s career has included: General partner of a private equity firm; COO and CEO of private equity and venture-backed companies; co-founder of a leasing company; treasurer and CFO of two NYSE listed public companies; and an investment banker focused on restructuring underperforming and troubled companies. In 1996, he became chairman, president and CEO of Diversa Corp., (NASD: DVSA), now BASF/Verenium Corporation, a biotechnology company that became the global leader in the discovery of novel bioactive compounds for use in industrial applications, chemical processing, agriculture and pharmaceuticals. Bruggeman repositioned the company from a supplier of novel enzyme reagents to a portfolio of 40 partnered and internal product applications focused on uses in agriculture, chemical processing, industrial and pharmaceutical applications.
"I am delighted to join the Benefunder board," he said. "Benefunder offers a unique nationwide platform to connect basic and application researchers from world-renowned institutions with a new generation of philanthropists to fill the growing gap of funding needs. These activist philanthropists want to make certain that their giving makes an immediate impact."
About Benefunder
Benefunder is a community foundation for innovation that has created a new funding channel for research while providing philanthropists with a smarter and more meaningful way to give. Through our Charitable Innovation Fund, we connect donors with the nation’s top innovators across all fields of study, including life sciences, technology, the environment and education, and the arts and humanities. Benefunder, whose goal is to close the innovation gap, has the largest active researcher portal in the United States, with more than 600 top researchers who are working on both basic research and breakthrough treatments and solutions that will greatly impact and benefit society. More information at www.benefunder.org.