Date : October 11, 2007
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Frank Zenie has had over twenty-five years as an entrepreneur and chief executive, building innovative, market leading and profitable companies. He has a hands-on management style, a commitment to customer driven strategies, innovative products and services, and enthusiastic people. Over the years, he has evolved from an operational manager to a strategic leader. His strengths include personal leadership, effective communications and the ability to understand customer needs to convert them to business opportunities. He values aligning people to highly focused business direction and building cultures demanding high integrity with respect for customers, employees, shareholders and vendors. At this time, he is working with a small group of companies with exciting strategies and energized people.

Mr. Zenie co-founded Zymark in 1981 and served as President, Chief Executive and Director until Berwind Corporation acquired Zymark in September 1996. At the time of acquisition, Zymark was valued at about $60 million. Zymark pioneered “laboratory robotics” for automating sample handling and sample preparation prior to instrumental analysis. Today, Zymark is the worldwide market leader in laboratory automation solutions; utilizing laboratory robotics, automated laboratory workstations and consulting services. More than 70% of Zymark’s business comes from the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology markets. In 1996, Zymark's annual sales were about $45 million earned through the effort of 275 employees in the US, Canada and Europe.

In the early days, Zymark followed the traditional scientific instrument business model bringing advanced technology to early adopters and sophisticated users. Starting in 1994, Zymark changed their business model to that of a solutions provider applying automation to accelerate new product R&D, stimulate innovation and increase laboratory productivity. The focus shifted from pursuing sales transactions to global business development addressing the needs of large, multi-national pharmaceutical companies. In the newer business model, senior management became the primary customer and value-added consulting services are packaged with products to achieve total customer solutions. After completing the management transition, he concluded his consulting relationship with Zymark.

Following Zymark’s sale, Mr. Zenie embarked on a new career assisting entrepreneurial ventures as an investor, advisor and director. He is not a typical angel investor, rather he has limited himself to ventures where he can work with management, understand their business and coach serious entrepreneurs.

He currently serves on the Boards and provides advisory services to several early-stage, technology-based companies. He serves as Chairman for two of these, VelQuest Corporation (www.velquest.com) and Process Packaging and Control, Inc. He is also a trustee of the Zenie Foundation, a private foundation dedicated to education support for deserving students who are often unable to access traditional financial support. In addition, Mr. Zenie has been appointed to MIT’s Corporation Development Committee and an Advisory Board Member of the MIT/Sloan Entrepreneurship Center. He has served as an MIT Senior Lecturer to develop and teach “Starting and Running a Successful Technology-Based Company”.

Mr. Zenie is now writing a manuscript for a new book, “Street Smart Entrepreneuring”. Also, for 13 years, Zymark has organized and managed the International Symposiumon Laboratory Automation and Robotics (ISLAR). Over 500 people, from around the world, attend ISLAR. Each year, I’ve delivered the closing presentation highlighting trends, emerging needs and, most important, the need for science and management to come together in pursuit of business strategy. These presentations are widely published - in the ISLAR proceedings, independent journals and as Zymark Management Briefs.

Mr. Zenie has his BS in Electrical Engineering from MIT and his MBA from the University of Rhode Island.