LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Marnie LaVigne upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the 2014 Stewardship Award by the
Amherst Chamber of Commerce

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are enhanced by the concerned and dedicated efforts of business organ-
izations and individuals that generously contribute to the welfare of
the community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr.
Marnie LaVigne upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
2014 Stewardship Award by the Amherst Chamber of Commerce; this momen-
tous occasion will be celebrated at the Chamber's Annual Small Business
Awards Luncheon and Showcase, to be held on Friday, May 16, 2014, at
Samuel's Grande Manor, Williamsville, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Amherst Chamber of Commerce is one of the 10 largest
chambers in New York State due to its steadfast commitment to providing
services members need to grow their business and prosperity; each May,
the Chamber hosts a luncheon to honor seven outstanding individuals and
small businesses in Western New York for their vast contributions to the
region; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Marnie LaVigne has spent more than 25 years in both the
private and public sectors creating new products and start-up businesses
involving innovative applications of technology in a broad range of
health care and life sciences sectors; and
WHEREAS, In addition to work in major managed care, pharmaceutical and
medical device companies, Dr. Marnie LaVigne has also held executive
management roles in entrepreneurial organizations in health informatics
that led to two initial public offerings (1P0s); and
WHEREAS, After seven years leading the University at Buffalo's (UB)
efforts in growing the region's life sciences sector through the New
York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, in
2012, Dr. Marnie LaVigne was named Associate Vice President for Economic
Development at UB; and
WHEREAS, In this capacity, Dr. Marnie LaVigne leverages university-
based resources and strong collaborations with government and industry
partners to spark innovation for better quality of life while driving
growth of the region's economy; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Dr. Marnie LaVigne's efforts have yielded more
than a 60:1 return in economic impact and hundreds of jobs as a steward
of state funding; and
WHEREAS, In an effort to work with individuals and organizations to
help the community reach its potential in the new knowledge economy, Dr.
Marnie LaVigne regularly mentors both youth and adults; she also
launched a career pathways program, iSciWNY, which has introduced thou-
sands of people to the rewards and opportunities in high-tech industry
within the local community; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Marnie LaVigne has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs
and collaborated with colleagues to introduce gold standard business
support programs, such as Launch NY, the Bright Buffalo Niagara venture
forum, and the Pre-Seed Workshop; and
WHEREAS, In addition, she has played an integral role in planning and
new program development for the WNYREDC, as well as the Billion for
Buffalo efforts which includes the new genomic medicine initiative; and

WHEREAS, In these diverse roles, Dr. Marnie LaVigne brings a rich
academic background with an Associate's degree in Neuroscience and a PhD
in Clinical Psychology from the University of Rochester; and
WHEREAS, Active within her community, Dr. Marnie LaVigne regularly
volunteers her expertise as an editorial board member for Disease
Management and as a member of the Board of Directors for Niagara Falls
Memorial Medical Center, the Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Invest-
ment Board, New York State Economic Development Council, Western New
York Venture Association, Insyte Consulting, and Launch NY; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for
this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to Dr. Marnie
LaVigne; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Marnie LaVigne upon the occasion of her designation as recipi-
ent of the 2014 Stewardship Award by the Amherst Chamber of Commerce;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Marnie LaVigne.