2008 Elections | Candidate for District VI Director, 2009-2011
Dr. Bonnie A. Charpentier, Metabolex, Inc., Vice President Regulatory and Quality, Hayward, CA
| Biographical Information | Candidate Statement
Note: ACS is not responsible for the content of Candidate’s personal websites and the opinions expressed may not represent the views of the ACS.
Biographical Information:
Santa Clara Valley Section. Metabolex Inc., Hayward, Calif.
Born: 1952
Academic Record: University of Houston, B.A., 1974; Ph.D., 1981
Honors: A. Ottenberg Service Award, ACS Santa Clara Valley Section, 1998; Platinum Award, ACS Division of Agricultural & Food Chemistry, 1998; Syntex Corp. Recognition Award: Individual, 1994, Team, 1992; University of Houston Departmental Teaching Award, 1980; National Merit Scholar, 1970–74; Iota Sigma Pi
Professional Positions (for past ten years): Metabolex Inc., vice president, regulatory and quality, 2007 to date; Genitope Corp., vice president, regulatory, 2001–06; Roche Global Development, vice president, 1999–2001, director, regulatory affairs, 1996–99
Service in ACS National Offices: Board of Directors, director, District VI, 2006–08; councilor ex officio, 2006–08; Budget & Finance, 2007–08, vice chair, 2008; Board Executive Committee, 2007–08; Committee on Public Affairs & Public Relations, 2006–08, chair, 2007–08; Committee on Planning, 2007–08; Board Goals Committee, 2006–08, chair, 2007; Council Policy Committee (voting), 2001–05, vice chair, 2005; Committee on Nominations & Elections, 1995–2000, secretary, 1999–2000, vice chair, 1997; Committee on Grants & Awards, 2006; Committee on Local Section Activities, 1994–95, committee associate, 1993; Board Oversight Committee for Communications Strategic Plan, 2007–08, chair, 2007–08; Joint Board-Council Task Force on Governance Review, 2005–07; Board Task Force on Program Review, 2005; Local Section Summit 2006, 2007; Regional Meeting Summit, 2007; Committee Structure Summit, 2007; Task Force on Enhancing Communications at Council, 2004; Task Force on Petition for Local Section & Division Support, 2002–03; Task Force on Committee Review, 2002
Service in ACS Offices: Member of ACS since 1982. Santa Clara Valley Section: councilor, 1993–2005; Public Relations, chair, 2004–05; chair, 1997; chair-elect, 1996; Long-Range Planning Committee, 2001–03; National Chemistry Week Committee, 1996–2005, chair, 1998; Kids & Chemistry, chair, 1996; Volunteers in Public Outreach, coordinator, 1995; KidVention Committee, 1992–2000. Cincinnati Section: chair, 1988–89; chair-elect and Program Committee chair, 1987–88; vice chair, 1986–87; treasurer, 1985–86; CINTACS, editor, 1984–85; Nominating Committee, chair, 1989–90; Long-Range Planning Committee, chair, 1987–88; trustee, 1989–90. Division of Agricultural & Food Chemistry: Flavor Subdivision, chair, 1990; chair-elect, 1989; vice chair, 1988; secretary, 1987
Member: American Women in Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, BioScience Forum, Drug Information Association, Bay Area Compliance Discussion Group, Bay Area Clinical/Regulatory Roundtable. ACS Divisions: Agricultural & Food Chemistry, Biochemical Technology, Business Development & Management, Chemistry & the Law, Small Chemical Businesses, History of Chemistry, and Medicinal Chemistry
Related Activities: Syntex Research, regulatory program, director, 1993–95, senior manager, 1992–93, manager, 1991–92; symposium organizer for ACS national meetings; ACS Younger Chemists Committee Chemical Career Insights Program (Roadshow) Speaker, 1985–86; Procter & Gamble Co., group leader, 1981–90; Analytical Symposium Committee, chair, 1984; presenter at national meeting symposia (Division of Chemistry & the Law and Career Services) on careers for chemists outside the laboratory; trainer for Kids & Chemistry volunteers; mentor for Mentium 100 Program; coeditor of two books: “Polymeric Delivery Systems,” ACS Symposium Series 520, 1993, and “Supercritical Fluid Extraction & Chromatography,” ACS Symposium Series 366, 1988
Candidate Statement:
Why am I running?
Three years ago, I asked for your vote for director of District VI. In my statement, I outlined areas where I believed positive change was needed. To be accountable to you, this statement addresses the same areas and provides a brief update of what has been accomplished and what still needs to be done. I have greatly appreciated the opportunities I’ve had on the board, especially the chance to meet and work with so many amazing volunteers. Work is still needed in many areas, and I have the energy and passion to continue.
Transparency. The board must play a fundamental role in continuing to push for openness, ensure that decisions include appropriate input, and respond to member needs. As a board member, I have reported to and sought input at all Western District Councilor Caucuses and at all regional meetings in the district. Your input is a valuable voice in directing the society, and I am grateful to members who have posed questions, given critiques, or offered suggestions. I believe the board should be accessible and open in communications.
Financial responsibility. This is always a primary function of the board but is particularly critical in difficult economic times. There is not space here to discuss all of the financial challenges currently facing ACS, but please know that in my service on the Committee on Budget & Finance (currently as vice chair), I work to put members’ needs first, ensure the financial well-being of the society, and seek to cut needless expenses. To that end, I pledge to question expenses incurred for consultants to ensure they are necessary and appropriate.
Efficiency/Quickness. Thanks to diligent efforts by many members on the Governance Review Task Force and in a committee structure summit, substantive recommendations have been made for clarifying responsibilities, simplifying governing documents, and addressing redundancies. I am pleased that the board is simplifying its own committee structure. We still have a way to go to remove bureaucratic frustrations for our volunteers; I would welcome the opportunity to continue this work.
Communication. I have met with members at national meetings and at all of the regional meetings held in our district during my term, and I participated in leadership conferences and local section, regional meeting, and committee structure summits. As chair of the Board Committee on Public Affairs & Public Relations (PA&PR), I have worked to increase communication with other committees with responsibilities in similar areas through committee breakfasts, shared meetings, and other communications I have also chaired the Board Oversight Committee for the communications strategic plan. It is critical that we improve our communications, particularly our use of electronic communications.
Outreach/Education. I have particular passion for these areas—chemistry advocacy in public policy, support for education, and outreach to the public. My responsibilities with PA&PR have given me the chance to contribute, for example, by establishing and prioritizing ACS policy statements (C&EN, Dec. 10, 2007, page 38) and working with the Office of Legislative & Government Affairs to support our legislative outreach. I am excited that we have established a pilot program to expand our advocacy programs at the state level, focusing on science education support.
I have continued working in public outreach and education, including participation in National Chemistry Week events, continuing support of a chemistry workshop for teachers (now in its 12th year), and teaching student interview workshops at several universities. I took particular delight in coorganizing “Chemists in the Community,” a project at the ACS national meeting in San Francisco in which board members joined with other member volunteers in service projects, providing not only a positive image to the public but also giving us a chance to interact and get to know each other while working for a worthy cause.
Summary. I consider it a great honor to be director of District VI and thank you for the opportunity to serve this extraordinary district. I’ve worked hard on the board, and in doing so have called on all of my previous experience, both academic and industrial, and in particular my experience in organizing projects and managing budgets. The best part of this job is interacting with members to hear their concerns and ideas and being able to take action in response. I continue to marvel at the energy and dedication of our volunteers in local sections, divisions, and governance. I would welcome the opportunity to continue working with you to improve our society and to bring to every decision the perspective that ACS is the members. I ask for your vote to continue my efforts.