Ed Whitehorne, who graduated with a BS in computer science in 1972, was among the department’s first graduates. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of FHI 360, a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. He possesses a diverse blend of financial acumen, investment experience and technical expertise, with more than three decades of experience both as an active member of the angel investment community and in research and development. In addition, he is a trustee of the FHI Foundation and Chair of its Investment Committee.Whitehorne’s career includes positions as chair of two software companies and the chief executive officer of a professional services company that serves the pharmaceutical industry. He has extensive work and consulting experience in the contract research organization industry. He is also a mentor to local entrepreneurs and an investment consultant.Whitehorne was a founder of Clinical Research International, a contract research organization (CRO) that was sold and became Clintrials Research, the first publicly traded CRO. The FHI Foundation was created with the proceeds from that sale. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Novella Clinical, Inc., a leader in oncology and medical device clinical trials. In 2013, he led the sale of Novella to Quintiles, the largest publicly traded CRO.Whitehorne has been an active member of the angel investment community since the early 1990s. He was a founding member of TriState Investment Group II, III and IV, as well as The Atlantis Group. He has served in several management positions with all four groups. Mr. Whitehorne has invested in more than 50 early-stage technology and biotechnology companies and has served on the boards of many.In addition to his BS in computer science from NC State University, he has a master’s in computer science from Duke University and he completed coursework and qualifying exams for a doctorate in operations research from NC State University.