University Of Colorado Foundation Taps New President Michael Byram
The Board of Directors of the University of Colorado Foundation Inc. has announced the appointment of Michael M. Byram, president and CEO of MedLogic Global Corp. in Colorado Springs, as the new president of the privately governed nonprofit organization.
Byram will assume the post in early January 2001. He succeeds Charles G. McCord, who will be retiring after 20 years at the professional helm of the CU Foundation.
Byram has served four years as a volunteer member of the CU Foundations board of directors. He chairs the CU-Colorado Springs Campaign for the Total Learning Environment, serves on the Advisory Board for the CU-Colorado Springs College of Engineering and Applied Science and has been a donor to and strong advocate for the campus.
In May 2000, the Board of Regents recognized Byram with the University Medal for fostering the growth and development of CU-Colorado Springs.
Chair of the CU Foundation board of directors, Dr. John DeLauro, said, "Mike brings experience in the business world, love for and desire to promote higher education, dedication as a Foundation board member, and support for CU through his generous philanthropy. I am confident that Mike and I will forge a strong partnership."
CU system president, Elizabeth Hoffman, said, "Michael Byram brings a unique set of skills to the CU Foundation. He will be a terrific asset for advancing the fund-raising agenda of the university in this new era. The campus chancellors and I look forward to working with Mike."
President Hoffman added, "Over the past 20 years, Charlie McCords dedicated leadership at the Foundation has positioned CU for a strong future." Hoffman noted that during McCords 20-year tenure, Colorados endowment increased from $14 million to more than $400 million and annual private support grew from $6 million to $113 million.
Byram is a 1974 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and has a masters degree in International Management from the Thunderbird American Graduate School of International Management in Arizona. Since 1992, he has headed up MedLogic Global Corp., an advanced biomedical polymer adhesives company in Colorado Springs.
He has led the successful acquisition of two companies to expand MedLogics technology platform and facilitate its entry into European markets. He also has worked to establish a strong intellectual property strategy and has negotiated licensing agreements with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Washington.
His other professional experience includes three years as a consultant specializing in start-up organization and planning and six years in management with Baxter Healthcare Corp. Byram is the inventor or co-inventor on 19 U.S. medical patents. He and his wife, Carolyn, have two children.
"Charlie McCord has helped build an outstanding organization and team. It is an honor to follow him and to have the opportunity to help contribute to the success of the University of Colorado system," said Mike Byram. "The economic growth our state has enjoyed is, in part, related to the quality of higher education here. This is a tremendously exciting time for the University of Colorado and the CU Foundation."
The University of Colorado Foundation Inc. is an independent privately governed nonprofit charitable organization that raises and manages private support for the benefit of the University of Colorados four campuses. The Campaign for CUs Total Learning Environment is more than half way toward meeting its $630 million goal.
Last year, more than 35,000 donors contributed to build new facilities, increase scholarship funds, endow faculty positions, acquire technological tools for learning and enhance programs.