The Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO), which represents the clinical outsourcing industry to regulators, biopharmaceutical clients, policy makers and the public in the U.S. and worldwide, recently announced the election of Dr. Derek Winstanly as Chair-Elect of the association. Derek Winstanly, MBChB, Executive Vice President of Strategic Business Partnerships for Quintiles Transnational, was appointed the 2008 Chair-Elect in June. Dr. Winstanly is a respected leader of the clinical research organization (CRO) industry, having held various global leadership positions within Quintiles since joining the company in 1999. In his current role, he works with senior biopharmaceutical executives to provide long-term strategic solutions, and is responsible for the Office of the Chief Medical Officer as well as the ethics and quality assurance functions of the company. “I congratulate Dr. Winstanly on his appointment as Chair-Elect of ACRO,” said David Spaight, ACRO Chair and President of MDS Pharma Services. “His experience and insight will enhance the association’s efforts to demonstrate the important contributions that CROs make to the clinical research enterprise.” “I am pleased to join the leadership of ACRO at a time of extraordinary growth for our industry,” added Dr. Winstanly. “I look forward to driving the association’s efforts to increase public understanding about the vital role CROs play in the conduct of safe and high-quality clinical studies to accelerate the development of new medical treatments.”