Governor Names Randal J. Kirk to U.Va. Board of Visitors, Reappoints Three Other Members

July 20, 2009 — July 20, 2009 — Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced on Friday the appointment of Randal J. Kirk of Pulaski County to the University of Virginia's Board of Visitors. He replaces Thomas F. Farrell II, who completed his second four-year term and thus was not eligible for reappointment.

The governor appointed three other current members to second four-year terms: A Macdonald Caputo of Fairfield County, Conn., advisory director for Morgan Stanley;
Alan A. Diamonstein of Newport News, partner at Patton, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein; and Vincent Mastracco Jr. of Norfolk, vice chairman at Kaufman & Canoles.

Kirk said he is honored by his appointment to the board.

"I am looking forward to my service there," he said. "I hope to get up to speed rapidly so that I may make some positive contribution, especially considering the challenges now confronting – and the opportunities that are consequently on offer to – the University.

"I join a very capable and distinguished board and especially look forward to my interactions with these fine individuals."

Kirk, 55, is a self-made billionaire – the first in Southwest Virginia, according to a 2007 article in the Roanoke Times.

The son of an Air Force master sergeant, Kirk sold cars and motorcycles after graduating from Dublin High School. He continued as he enrolled part-time at Radford University, eventually earning a bachelor's degree in economics in 1976. He then earned a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1979.

While a practicing attorney in Bland County, he joined John Gregory in founding General Injectables and Vaccines, a next-day-delivery medical supply company. The booming firm spun off King Pharmaceuticals, which manufactured the drugs that General Injectables distributed.

The companies split, with Kirk retaining control over General Injectables and Vaccines, which he sold in 1998.

Kirk then founded New River Pharmaceuticals, which developed safer and improved versions of already formulated drugs for distribution in large markets. He was founder, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer until selling New River Pharmaceuticals to Shire plc in 2007.

Since then, he started Third Security LLC, an investment management firm in which he serves as senior managing director and chief executive officer.

He has served as a member of the Board of Visitors and rector of Radford University, where he also chaired its successful $40 million capital campaign, and on the board of directors at the Radford University Foundation. He also was appointed to the board of directors of the Virginia University Research Partnership in July 2007, and was appointed to the Virginia Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates in July 2006.

He has also served on several corporate boards. He is chairman of the board of Clinical Data Inc., chairman of the board of Intrexon Corp., and is a member of the board of Halozyme Therapeutics Inc.

His son, Julian, is a 1996 U.Va. graduate.








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