Jackson Laboratory Announces Strategic Reorganization

Date: September 9, 2003

JAX Research Systems Division Reintegrated with Laboratory

Bar Harbor, Maine - The Jackson Laboratory, one of Maine's largest not-for-profit organizations, today announced plans to realign certain programs and projects within the institution in order to eliminate redundancies and reduce overhead costs. Notably, the changes include the reintegration of JAX Research Systems (JRS) into the fundamental management and operations of the Laboratory. JRS is the arm of the scientific research institution supplying genetically customized mice and services to researchers throughout the world. Until now, JRS has functioned essentially as a division of The Jackson Laboratory, with much of its own management infrastructure.

The reorganization aligns The Jackson Laboratory's management structure and research activities with its new strategic plan - a long-range plan with the goal of more streamlined and efficient operations by 2008. Crafted over the past year with the input of management and scientific employees and approved by the Laboratory's Board of Governing Trustees, the plan calls for a realignment that builds upon the core strengths of the mammalian research facility while expanding its research program.

"We've been working hard on the strategic plan for almost a year, and I believe that it will better position us to take advantage of new developments in biomedical research, supporting our stated mission to improve the quality of human life through genetics research," said Dr. Richard Woychik, Director of The Jackson Laboratory.

The reorganization process was prompted by The Jackson Laboratory's considerable success and rapid growth over the last decade, during which the number of Laboratory employees more than doubled, from approximately 570 employees in 1993 to more than 1,300 today.

As part of its plan to reconcile redundant activities of the Laboratory and its JRS division, the Laboratory announced that approximately 20 administrative and management-related jobs would be eliminated. Departing employees were offered a severance package including salary continuance based on service, career counseling and health benefits. No research positions were eliminated, and no staff members directly involved in producing mice and other genetics reagents were affected.

Due to its research expansion, the Laboratory will actively recruit for over 125 new science-related high-tech jobs at its Bar Harbor campus during the next three years and will also recruit 70 additional positions as animal technicians, support staff, and construction personnel over the next two years.

"The identity and mission of The Jackson Laboratory has long been as an institution where expert scientists can do world-class research and reach out to other scientists in the worldwide biomedical community," said Woychik. "Genetics-based research in the United States - and the world - is proceeding at an astounding pace. I am committed to ensuring that the Laboratory enhances its already highly competitive position in the research community. This reorganization will help us dedicate more of our resources to new initiatives that will fuel scientific breakthroughs and allow us to be responsive to new technologies."

A key management change in the reorganization is the appointment of Warren Cook as Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Special Projects, a new post in the organization. Cook previously served as President of the JRS division, reporting to Woychik.

"I will be concentrating my energies on the Laboratory's relations with the state of Maine. The Lab has begun several important initiatives with the State which will require my full-time attention," said Cook.

"The Jackson Laboratory enjoys a well-established and regarded position in the research community," Cook added, "but that position is wholly dependent on the support and engagement of informed and interested elected leaders, and ultimately, an informed and interested public. I'm excited to be assuming the role of tending that relationship."

Woychik added, "While undertaking the process of streamlining our organization was difficult, we are confident that the strategic plan is the necessary direction for The Jackson Laboratory and the researchers who depend on the Lab, and we are committed to achieving the ambitious goals we have set, including the research expansion now underway."

Note: since this news release was issued, Warren Cook resigned his position at The Jackson Laboratory, and the institution embarked on an effort to find new Laboratory jobs for the employees whose positions had been eliminated under the strategic plan.

Contact(s): Public Information Office, (207)288-6051

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Media Relations, Communications Office
The Jackson Laboratory
600 Main Street
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609-1500
Phone: 207-288-6051
Fax: 207-288-6076
Email: news@jax.org