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PPDa?s Mike Wilkinson Appointed by Gov. Perdue to U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship Commission

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^{Published in Health and Fitness on Saturday, May 7th 2011 at 11:55 GMT by Market Wire}  

WILMINGTON, N.C.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--PPD, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPDI) today announced that N.C. Gov. Beverly Perdue has appointed Mike Wilkinson, Ph.D., executive vice president and chief information officer for PPD, to serve on the U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship Commission, where he will help oversee the administration and operation of the landmark state memorial and exhibit for World War II veterans.

"It is an honor to be appointed by Gov. Perdue to serve the citizens of North Carolina on the Battleship Commission"

Before joining the biopharmaceutical industry in 1999, Dr. Wilkinson spent 23 years in the U.S. military, beginning his career as a Navy SEAL. He now leads PPDa™s global technology, innovation and performance group, focused on offering continuous improvement technology solutions to address current and future development needs for biopharmaceutical companies worldwide.

aIt is an honor to be appointed by Gov. Perdue to serve the citizens of North Carolina on the Battleship Commission,a Dr. Wilkinson said. aThe battleship serves as a powerful and moving memorial to the sacrifices of those who served proudly on her, as well as all those who served during World War II. For me personally, since the memorial is visible outside my office window, it also is a daily reminder of the ongoing sacrifice by our service members and their families in the name of freedom. I embrace the opportunity to help set the course for this remarkable memorial as a touchstone for remembrance of the past and enlightenment of future generations.a

The commission, established in 1960, adopts rules and regulations for proper maintenance and operation of the ship as a permanent memorial and exhibit. Commission members collaborate with the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources to manage and maintain exhibits, activities and records pertaining to the marine and naval history of North Carolina and the United States. The commission consists of 18 members who serve four-year terms.

Dr. Wilkinson joined PPD in 2008 as executive vice president of global clinical development, responsible for providing strategic leadership to PPDa™s Phase II-IV operations in North America; Latin America; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Asia Pacific. In addition to being a Navy SEAL, Dr. Wilkinsona™s other roles included aviation physiologist, White House liaison officer with Marine One Executive Transport, director of operations for the Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center and project director for the V-22 Osprey military aircraft.

Dr. Wilkinson earned a doctorate in physiological optics from Indiana University, a master's degree from Penn State University and a bachelor's degree from Ohio University.

PPD is a leading global contract research organization providing drug discovery, development and lifecycle management services. Our clients and partners include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic and government organizations. With offices in 44 countries and more than 11,000 professionals worldwide, PPD applies innovative technologies, therapeutic expertise and a commitment to quality to help clients and partners accelerate the delivery of safe and effective therapeutics and maximize the returns on their R&D investments. For more information, visit [ www.ppdi.com ].