The following message is sent on behalf of Randal Charlton, Chair of WSU’s Pfizer Task Force:

Wayne State University/Pfizer Task Force News
Number 1
February 8, 2007

Dear Wayne State University Colleague:

Last week, following the announcement of the 2008 shut down of the Pfizer facility in Ann Arbor, President Reid announced his intention to establish a task force to help deal with the effects of this action.

This is to let you know that the first meeting of a Wayne State University committee has been held and a WSU/Pfizer Task Force office has been established. Initially, the task force committee consists of the following: Ahmad Ezzedine, Gloria Heppner, Judy Johncox, Ray Novak, Julie O’Connor, Fred Reinhart, Jim Rigby, Beverly Schmoll, Bonnie Sloane, Jack Sobel, and Randal Charlton (chair).

Shay Izzard, Pfizer Task Force assistant, has taken on the responsibility for coordinating the efforts of the Task Force and maintaining information on WSU position openings, opportunities for further collaboration with Pfizer, and other items of importance. Shay works in the Office of the Vice President for Research and can be contacted at 313-577-5600; fax 313-577-3626; email ski@wayne.edu. Her campus address is 5057 Woodward, Suite 6407.

The purpose of the Task Force is to (a) work with Pfizer to identify employment opportunities that may be of interest to Pfizer staff and (b) identify areas of further collaboration. This may include collaboration on research programs, consulting by WSU researchers, licensing intellectual property to or from Pfizer, and help in establishing Pfizer spin-out companies.

As we seek to ease the impact of Pfizer’s decision on the community, we will collaborate with other organizations who are making efforts locally, in particular Ann Arbor SPARK, who last week launched an initiative to develop and coordinate a comprehensive action plan. You are encouraged to visit their website at www.AnnArborSpark.org.

Please contact Shay Izzard, myself or any task force committee member with suggestions or questions. I can be reached at randal.charlton@wayne.edu.

Thank you.