Business Executive and Former U.S. House Leader Richard A. Gephardt Elected to Lead Scripps Research Institute Board of Trustees

Ambassador Steven J. Green and San Diego Attorney Lynn Schenk Also Elected to the Biomedical Research Institute's Governing Body

The Scripps Research Institute's Board of Trustees today unanimously elected Richard A. Gephardt, president and CEO of Gephardt Government Affairs and a former U.S. Congressman and House Majority and Minority Leader, as its new Chairman of the Board.

Gephardt served for 28 years in the United States House of Representatives from 1976 to 2004, representing Missouri's 3rd Congressional District, home of his birthplace, St. Louis. In his role as House Leader, Gephardt emerged as one of the leading strategists of the Democratic Party's platform and chief architect of landmark reforms ranging from healthcare, pensions, and education, to energy independence and trade policy. He served as elected House Democratic Leader for more than 14 years, acting as House Majority Leader from 1989 to 1995 and Minority Leader from 1995 to 2003.

As president and CEO of Gephardt Government Affairs, he provides strategic advice and direct advocacy services to clients on issues before the House, Senate, and Executive Branch in the federal government. Gephardt has brought successful resolution for clients on issues related to negotiations, crisis management, and strategic communications. He enjoys strong bipartisan relationships in the House of Representatives, serves as a trusted advisor to senior officials in the Administration and on Capitol Hill, and has counseled numerous CEOs during negotiations with labor. He also serves as public spokesperson for clients on coalitions to bring about policy solutions to healthcare reform and climate change.

"The Institute is both honored and enthusiastic to have Dick as our new Chairman of the Board," said Scripps Research President Richard A. Lerner. "His immense experience as a national and international leader and his vast knowledge of the nation's most pressing issues, coupled with his skill and energy as a business executive, will contribute invaluably to our Board."

Gephardt stated: "I am honored by this opportunity to lead the Scripps Research Institute Board of Trustees. Recognized as one of our nation's largest and well-respected, private, non-profit research institutes, Scripps has long played a pivotal role in ensuring America's competitiveness globally in medical research. I look forward to working with the Board's talented members to continue Scripps' excellent record of contributions to medical innovation."

Widely known for his advocacy for international human rights, Gephardt currently serves as Chairman of the National Endowment for Democracy, a private, nonprofit organization that endeavors to strengthen democratic institutions around the world through nongovernmental efforts. He is a member of The Council on Foreign Relations and an Advisory Board member to the International Conservation Caucus Foundation. He also serves as Advisory Board chairman at the Richard A. Gephardt Institute for Public Service at Washington University in St. Louis. The Library and Research Center of the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis recently opened The Richard A. Gephardt Collection to represent his life and career in Congress.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1941, Gephardt earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University in 1962 and juris doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School in 1965. He has been married to his wife, Jane, for 38 years and they have three children, Matt, Chrissy, and Kate.

Gephardt, who was recently elected to the Board of Trustees, succeeds businessman and philanthropist John J. Moores, who became Lead Trustee in 2006 and who remains on the Scripps Research board.

Ambassador Steven J. Green and San Diego Attorney Lynn Schenk also Elected to the Board of Trustees

Also elected to the Scripps Research Board of Trustees was Steven J. Green, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton as the 12th U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore, a position he held from 1997 to 2001. During Ambassador Green's term, he spearheaded a number of strategic programs that greatly enhanced U.S.-Singapore alliances in economic development, intellectual property, immigration and national security. Many of his accomplishments greatly expanded American business opportunities in Singapore and other ASEAN markets.

To address the challenges of the Asian financial crisis, Green created and led the regional response program that linked all ASEAN Chiefs of Missions in a continuous assessment of regional markets and provided a direct communication network for American businesses impacted by the economic turmoil. As an extension of this effort, Green organized and directed a now regular series of U.S. government-led regional trade missions for U.S. businesses pursuing ASEAN-wide strategies and seeking consistent host government investment and development regimes.

Green also led his embassy to create new export and investment programs for America's small and medium size enterprises. Through his "Gateway ASEAN" initiative, Green launched a pilot program between the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Singapore's Productivity and Standards Board to create an interactive marketing, sales and distribution channel linking millions of U.S. SMEs to prospective customers throughout the region. In 1999, Green helped launch Singapore's Technoentrepreneurship Fund providing over a billion dollars of Singapore venture capital to American technology companies. Green's record of success in energizing and expanding America's business interests in the region culminated when he directly led the effort to commence bilateral negotiations for a free trade agreement between the United States and Singapore.

In addition to his public service, Green has compiled over 30 years of successful experience as an international industrialist leading major corporate restructurings and expansions for manufacturing, housing, consumer products, retail and real estate enterprises. He is currently Chairman and CEO of Greenstreet Partners, a private merchant bank.

From 1988-1996, Green served as Chairman and CEO of Samsonite Corporation. Samsonite was formerly the major operating subsidiary of Astrum International Corporation where he also served as Chairman and CEO from 1990-1995 and directed the strategic management and operations of Samsonite and its affiliates, American Tourister and Culligan Water. Samsonite and Culligan became separate public companies in 1995.

In 1995, President Clinton appointed Green to the President's Export Council where he served on the Executive Committee and chaired the Strategic Communications Committee.

In addition to his corporate leadership and public service, Green has been active in national civic affairs through the Green Family Foundation (www.greenff.org), an organization dedicated to supporting social programs, which include HIV/AIDS prevention and education, access to the arts, youth and education, homeless assistance, disaster relief, and community outreach.

Green is a board member of the University of Miami and the United States Chamber of Commerce. He is chairman of U.S. Maritime Holding, LLC, and a director of Vistage International, Knowledge Universe Learning Centers, Greenstreet Capital Management, Inc., and Long Haul, Inc. In addition, Green is chairman and chief executive officer of K1 Ventures Limited, a publicly traded investment company in Singapore and serves as Honorary Consul General of Singapore in Miami, Florida. Also, he serves on the real estate board of the GIC (government of Singapore investment group).

Green, a native of Philadelphia, is married to Dorothea and has two daughters, Andrea and Kimberly and two grandchildren, Steven Wesley and Olivia Tyler.

Lynn Schenk, a San Diego attorney and corporate advisor, was returned to the Scripps Research Board of Trustees, on which she served from 1996 to 2009. She is a commissioner of the California Medical Assistance Commission and a member of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Biogen Idec, the third largest biotechnology company in the country.

Schenk served as Chief of Staff to California Governor Gray Davis from 1999 to 2003, overseeing the day-to-day operations of state government. Schenk was the leading proponent of Senate Bill 1856 within the Administration, which is the basis for California's future investment in high-speed rail. She was the Governor's chief executive and top policy advisor.

In 1992, Schenk became the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent the San Diego area. As a member of the 103d Congress, Congresswoman Schenk sat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and its subcommittees on Telecommunications and Finance and Transportation and Hazardous Materials. She also sat on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee.

Schenk was an active member of the 103d Congress, focusing on telecommunications, biotechnology, and deficit reduction (she was involved in the formulation of the historic 1993 Budget Act). Although a first term member, among her House colleagues Schenk was the recognized congressional leader on matters related to biotechnology and high-speed rail. She led the quest to bring high-speed rail to the United States and authored a bill that authorized federal involvement in high-speed rail corridor planning.

Her work on U.S.-Mexico border issues resulted in hundreds of new border patrol agents, and a border sewage treatment plant. Her accomplishment in establishing a new commuter lane to ease vehicle traffic at the border (now known as SENTRI), is acknowledged as a turning point in cross-border commuting.

From 1978 to 1983, Schenk served in the Cabinet of Governor Jerry Brown as California's Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing; she was the first woman to hold this Cabinet position.

Prior to her state Cabinet appointment, Schenk served as a Deputy Attorney General in the criminal division of the California Attorney General's office, followed by several years as an in-house lawyer to the San Diego Gas & Electric Company. In 1976, she was appointed a White House Fellow by President Ford serving as a special assistant to Vice- Presidents Nelson Rockefeller and Walter Mondale.

In addition, she has practiced general business law in San Diego, co-founded a community bank, was "special counsel" to a large international law firm and has served on the Board of Directors of several publicly traded companies.

Schenk has been deeply involved in the San Diego community as a civic volunteer. She was a Commissioner (and Vice-Chair of the Board) of the San Diego Unified Port District. She has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the San Diego Symphony and the Red Cross, as well as The Scripps Research Institute.

Schenk earned a B.A. from UCLA, a juris doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law, and did post-law school graduate work at the London School of Economics.

The Scripps Research Institute Board of Trustees, now comprised of 27 leaders from business, science, law, medicine, government, finance, and philanthropy, makes major decisions concerning the policies, finances, operations, and direction of Scripps Research. It oversees governance of both the institute's La Jolla-based campus and its division in Palm Beach County, Florida.

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"I am honored by this opportunity to lead the Scripps Research Institute Board of Trustees," says Richard A. Gephardt, president and CEO of Gephardt Government Affairs and a former U.S. Congressman and House Majority and Minority Leader.