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| Rich Masters |
Rich Masters, executive VP at Qorvis Communications, is taking the top public affairs post at BIO on June 17.
He’ll be in charge of developing an integrated communications, branding and marketing strategy for the trade group of biotechnology companies and academic institutions.
BIO restructured its communications unit over the last year, splitting it into two departments, each headed by an EVP.
Jeanne Haggerty assumed EVP-government affairs and external relations duties last summer. Masters will have the EVP-PA title.
As part of the restructuring, Ken Lisaius, who is senior VP-Communications, will leave BIO on June 14.
Masters developed Qorvis’ media-and message-training studio in Washington to train clients under simulated game-time media pressure.
He also led parent company MSLGroup’s US crisis/issues communications practice.
Prior to joining Qorvis, Masters was communications and senior policy advisor to former Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), working on environmental, healthcare, energy and trade issues.
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