La Jolla, CA – (October 23, 2013) — La Jolla Institute for Immunology has elected three distinguished San Diego business executives as new members of its Board of Directors.
The new members — Tony Carr, a real estate executive, Gene Ray, Ph.D., a founder of the Titan Corporation, and Fred Wasserman, DrPH, a founder of Maxicare Health Plans — bring a wealth of knowledge, insight and leadership skills to their role as board members.
“The Institute is honored to attract this exceptional group of new board members,” says Mitchell Kronenberg, Ph.D., president and chief scientific officer. “Our Board plays a key role in advancing the Institute’s mission to promote health and prevent disease through groundbreaking immune system research. We look forward to working with these new members and appreciate their willingness to serve.”
The La Jolla Institute is a nonprofit, independent biomedical research institute and recognized world leader in the study of the immune system, which holds amazing potential for preserving health and ultimately conquering heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and myriad other devastating disorders.
The new trustees are respected and accomplished executives with experience in several fields:
Anthony “Tony” Carr is the managing partner of Carlo Development, a southern California based real estate development company. Carlo Development owns and operates multi-family and self storage/industrial properties throughout California. Carr is also a managing member and co-owner of San Diego Self Storage (SDSS), the largest self storage company in San Diego County with 18 locations. Prior to this, Carr was a registered principal for C & L Securities Corp., a wealth management firm, and an investment advisor licensed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He received his B.A. degree from UCLA and attended the UCLA Anderson School of Management before beginning his career in finance and real estate.
Carr has been active in several community organizations including service with the following groups: the advisory board for the University of San Diego (USD) Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate; the UCSD Athletic Advisory Board; the Board of Trustees for The Grauer School; the Board of Directors for Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles; the Board of Directors of International Relief Teams; UCLA Chancellor’s Associates, and The Los Angeles BIA Multi-Family Housing Council.
Gene Ray is the owner and CEO of GMT Ventures, an investment firm in San Diego. In the 1980s, he was one of the founders of The Titan Corporation, a leading national security solutions provider, and served as its CEO and on its Board of Directors from the company’s inception in 1981 until its merger with L-3 Communications in 2005. He was elected chairman of the board in 1999 and also served in that capacity until 2005.
Prior to launching Titan, Ray was executive vice president, general manager and board member of Science Applications International Corporation, Inc. (SAIC) for 11 years. SAIC, a multi-billion dollar science and engineering company serving the defense and other industries, was founded in San Diego, and moved its headquarters to McLean, Va. in 2009. The company still maintains a large presence here.
Ray received his Ph.D. in theoretical physics at the University of Tennessee in 1965; an M.S. in physics at the University of Tennessee in 1962; and a B.S. in mathematics, physics and chemistry at Murray State University in 1960. He is or has been involved on a number of community boards, including: chairman of the board, Decision Sciences Corporation; chairman, Heart, Lung & Vascular Advisory Board, Scripps Clinic; advisory board member, Scripps Clinic/Green Hospital; foundation board member, Murray State University, and as an advisory board member at various early-stage technology companies.
Fred Wasserman has a broad business background with leadership experience in health care, real estate, agriculture, and as a faculty member at several major universities. Wasserman and his wife, Pamela, are co-general partners in the Wasserman Companies, which own and operate commercial and residential real estate and agricultural properties in California. Wasserman is a founder of Maxicare Health Plans, Inc., the first federally qualified health maintenance organization.
California and served as CEO from 1973 to 1988. In the decade following 1988, he was a consultant to senior management at several major health care companies and startups advising on strategic positioning, health service systems, and product innovations and introductions. Wasserman has also served on the faculties of USC’s School of Public Administration, UCLA’s School of Public Health, and Cal State University Northridge.
Wasserman has been active in a number of professional and community organizations. He is a current member of the World Presidents Organization and previously served on the Dean’s Council at UCLA’s School of Public Health, where he and his wife Pamela funded an endowed chair in Health Services. He has also served on the boards of the UCLA Foundation and the Jewish Home for the Aging. Wasserman holds a B.S. degree in business administration from UCLA; an MBA in general management from USC; and a DrPH in Health Services from UCLA.
About La Jolla Institute
Founded in 1988, La Jolla Institute for Immunology is a nonprofit, independent biomedical research institute focused on improving human health through increased understanding of the immune system. Its scientists carry out research seeking new knowledge leading to the prevention of disease through vaccines and the treatment and cure of infectious diseases, cancer, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, Crohn’s disease and asthma. La Jolla Institute’s research staff includes more than 150 Ph.D.s and M.D.s. To learn more about the Institute’s work, visit www.lji.org.
