2008 Assembly of Delegates:
North Central Regional Associate Director

2008 Sigma Xi Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference

November 20-23, 2008
Marriott Renaissance Hotel
Washington, D.C.

Name: Kevin E. Bennet

Present Position: Chair, Division of Engineering
Organization: Mayo Clinic

Address: Plummer 233
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN 55905
United States

Telephone: 507-538-0787
E-mail: kbennet@mayo.edu

Chapter Affiliation: Mayo Foundation Chapter

Candidate's Statement: I would be pleased to serve Sigma Xi and our members as an Associate Director assisting in developing an increasingly vibrant organization of our vision of being the global honor society of science and engineering. My experience in industry academics will be useful in meeting our goals of enhancing research in science and engineering and delivering science and technology understanding to the public. While creating and teaching the course in the Mayo Graduate School entitled "The Business of Science, The Science of Business" I became much more aware of the gap in implementing the process of developing and delivering technology for the benefit of patients and have been effective in bringing those involved in science and business to a common goal to make the benefits of technology more available to society. I look forward to serving, you, as a member of the society of Sigma Xi.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Mr. Bennet has been a member of Sigma Xi since 1976 and has served the Mayo Foundation Chapter as a member of the Executive Committee, Electoral Committee and Treasurer since 2006. He has mentored high school, college and graduate students and has taught in the Mayo Graduate and Medical Schools. He has been developing new Deep Brain Stimulation techniques in conjunction with the Department of Neurosurgery.

Biographical Information: Kevin E. Bennet is the Chairman of the Division of Engineering of the Mayo Clinic of Rochester, Minnesota. His division, composed of 60 technical staff primarily engineers and programmers, develops and applies technology for clinical practice and research in collaboration with Mayo's clinical and research staff. He has over 30 years of experience in technology development with organizations including W.R. Grace & Co., Exxon International and Amoco Chemicals. He has been a consultant to the National Institutes of Health and served on NIH site visit teams. He holds patents concerning semiconductor and optical technology has founded several technology-based companies. He has also served as a reviewer of Mayo Clinic Proceedings and the NIH Small Business Innovation Research program. Mr. Bennet received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Masters of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

Name: Lynn E. Elfner

Present Position: CEO
Organization: The Ohio Academy of Science

Address: he Ohio Academy of Science
1500 W 3rd Ave STE 228
Columbus, OH 43212
United States

Telephone: 614-488-2228
E-mail: oas@iwaynet.net

Chapter Affiliation: Ohio State University Chapter

Candidate's Statement: Increasingly, leading edge scientific research depends on interdisciplinary efforts represented by the diverse membership of Sigma Xi. Most often membership in Sigma Xi is the first rung on the ladder to success for students and young faculty members who have demonstrated their abilities for scientific research. Thus, Sigma Xi accelerates young professionals along a path to success in diverse scientific careers. Sigma Xi chapters provide a local social network for further recognition of scholarship and if properly informed and focused, could bring to bear academic resources toward (1) STEM education, (2) the public understanding of science through Science Cafes and (3) state and local level science policy activities.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Current professional activities: 1. SigmaXi member since 1971. 2. Currently, Councillor, local chapter, Sigma Xi. 3. AAAS member for more than 35 years 4. Section Y Chair, AAAS 5. Board Member and Archivist, National Association of Academies of Science 6. Board member, Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education 7. Consultant, National Academies State Science & Technology Policy Convocation 2007

Biographical Information: Lynn Edward Elfner is chief executive officer of The Ohio Academy of Science, Columbus, where he also serves as acting editor of The Ohio Journal of Science. Previously he was with the Office of Budget and Management of State of Ohio. He received a B.S. in zoology (1968) and an M.S. in plant ecology (1971) from The Ohio State University. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science where he serves as Chair, Section Y (General Interest in Science); he has received the Ohioana Book Award, Ohioana Library Association, 1980, Distinguished Service Award, National Association of Academies of Science, 1981, Distinguished Alumni Award, College of Agriculture, 1984, Honorary 100 from Ohio in Natural Resources, 1987, Centennial honoree, Herbarium, 1992, OSU, and Friend of Science Award, Science Education Council of Ohio, 1998; In November 2004 he received the President’s Award from the Ohio School Boards Association.