Reflecting financial, legal, and scientific expertise, the Beech Tree Board of Directors includes:
Arthur deWitt "Terry" Ackerman
Mr. Ackerman has been involved with entrepreneurial endeavors and sales for most of his professional life. From 1967-1980, he had a successful career with Home Life of New York where he was a member of the Hall of Fame and a Charter member of the Top of the Round Table. Since 1980 he has been an investment banker for research and technology companies, raising over $40,000,000 for early-stage companies. He is also an angel investor in technology and renewable energy companies, and in a LEEDS community in the Mohave Desert which will incorporate hydroponic farming, water production, solar power generation, and residential and resort facilities. He also serves as a Director for The Mohave National Preserve Conservancy
H. W. McKay Belk
As Chief Merchandising Officer since 1998, Mr. Belk has been instrumental in the notable success of Belk, Inc., the largest, privately owned, retail department chain in the United States. A member of the Board of Directors for Belk, Inc., and Coca Cola Bottling Company Consolidated, Mr. Belk also serves on numerous educational and civic boards. He holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Sheridan C. Biggs
During a prestigious career with the international accounting and consulting firm of Price Waterhouse, Mr. Biggs built a national marketing department, revamped the company's entire audit guidance structure, developed a model human resources program, and was instrumental in redirecting the firm's Japanese business. He served as Vice Chairman and member of the firm's management committee. In June 2009, he retired as Executive-in-Residence at the Graduate College of Union University, Schenectady, NY.
John A. Glasson, Esq.
Mr. Glasson is in private practice in Providence, Rhode Island. A graduate of Georgetown University and Suffolk University Law School, he concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate development and corporate law. Mr. Glasson previously represented Milkhaus Laboratory, Inc., as local counsel.
Robert I. Kramer, MD, FAAP
After graduating from Tufts University Medical School, Dr. Kramer completed a pediatric residency at the Yale University School of Medicine and later the Executive MBA Odyssey Program at the Harvard Business School. His distinguished career includes serving as Chief Pediatric Resident and Pulmonary Fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He is currently the medical advisor for numerous corporations and civic organizations such as the Dallas Museum of Art and Dallas Children's Museum. He is also a Director on several medical and community Boards.
John McMichael, Ph.D.
Beech Tree’s President & CEO, Dr. McMichael developed the world’s first live-virus fish vaccines for use in hatchery populations, and is an Alzheimer’s disease pioneer, having licensed 30+ patents to Elan Corp. plc, to support their Alzheimer’s initiative. He now holds more than 100 patents with twice that pending worldwide. His experience also includes Professor of Biology and Health Sciences at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania, General Manager for ImmunoTherapeutics, Vice President of Molecular Rx, Inc., Founder and President of Milkhaus Laboratory, Inc., and Founder and President of The Institute for Therapeutic Discovery, a not-for-profit organization specializing in discovery and early-stage development of novel therapies.