News Article -- March 24, 2009

DVC President Dr. Robert V. House named Frederick Executive of the Year by Tech Council of Maryland

DynPort Vaccine Company LLC (DVC) President, Dr. Robert V. House was one of the honored award winners at the 7th Annual Frederick County Technology Awards on March 12, 2009 at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center in Frederick, Md. The Frederick County Awards honor achievements of the most innovative and influential technology leaders and firms in Frederick County. April Finnen, Senior Manager, Communications, along with Stefanie Bednarczyk, Senior Manager, New Business and Dr. Preston Holley Chief Medical Officer, accepted the award on behalf of Dr. House adding, "It takes several of us to fill Dr. House's shoes."

Dr. House joined DVC in 2002 as the head of the Nonclinical Research department. He then held three other positions within the organization, including Chief Scientific Officer, before being promoted to President in April 2006. Under Dr. House's leadership, DVC has expanded its business to not only include biodefense, but also public health and technical services. During his tenure as president, Dr. House has overseen the initiation of six clinical trials. In addition to growing DVC's business, Dr. House has led a positive shift in DVC's corporate culture, creating a "family" atmosphere. Dr. House writes a "weekly blog" for all employees and encourages open communication. He also sponsors additional initiatives which include an internal newsletter and support for the company's social committee, which plans monthly events including holiday parties, community service initiatives, Take Your Child to Work Day and an annual Halloween party.

In addition to the key initiatives within DVC, thanks to Dr. House's efforts, DVC has won several awards. In 2009 the company was awarded a Summit Award from the Frederick Chamber of Commerce for its efforts in workforce development. In addition to this Executive of the Year Award, Dr. House also received a Career Achievement award in October 2008 from CSC's North American Public Sector President for his expertise, leadership and commitment to excellence.

Dr. House's biotechnology and biodefense work does not end with DVC. He holds leadership positions in a number of industry groups, including the Alliance for Biosecurity, the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) Science and Technology Advisory Committee and the Tech Council of Maryland. Dr. House is the author or co-author of more than 100 journal articles, book chapters and books covering immunology, immunotoxicology, infectious disease and biodefense and he has participated in working groups and expert panels in the field of immunotoxicology. He is also a frequent speaker at conferences and educational seminars and occasionally teaches at graduate toxicology courses at several major universities.

Prior to joining DVC, Dr. House worked at Covance Laboratories in Madison, Wis. and IIT Research Institute in Chicago, Ill., where he managed highly successful programs in immunotoxicology assessment. He has more than 20 years of experience in biomedical research and development, specializing in the assessment of inadvertent and therapeutic immunomodulation. Dr. House earned his Master of Science in Public Health and Ph.D. degrees in Medical Parasitology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health.

When Dr. House was asked his thoughts on winning this prestigious award, he replied, "I am very honored to be recognized by the Tech Council of Maryland for the work I do at DVC. At DVC we are doing well by doing good, developing medical products to protect against dangerous diseases. We are proud to be part of the larger biomedical research community, and I believe we are truly poised to do great things."

Other awards from the ceremony included, Small Business of the Year, Firm of the Year and Service Provider of the Year.

Read more about DVC's awards.

Learn more about DVC's work.

Read Q&A with Dr. House about biodefense and industry trends.

Contact us to request Dr. House or another DVC expert as a speaker for industry events.