Candace Kendle, PharmD, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Kendle International Inc., one of the world's leading global clinical research organizations (CROs). The company focuses on bringing new live-saving and life-enhancing drugs to market for the benefit of patients worldwide.

Since co-founding Kendle in 1981, she has provided the overall vision and strategy to grow the company from a small consulting business into one of the largest providers of clinical development solutions for the biopharmaceutical industry. Today, Kendle is one of the few truly global CROs, with operations spanning North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, Latin America and Africa. The company currently operates in 53 locations throughout 30 countries and employs approximately 4,000 associates. Kendle is one of only three CROs to derive more than 50 percent of its revenue from outside North America.

In 2008, Kendle was named to the FORTUNE Magazine list of the 100 fastest-growing companies in the United States. The company posted 2008 net service revenue of $475.1 million, a 19 percent increase year-over-year.

Dr. Kendle is recognized worldwide as leader in the CRO industry. She is a founding member and past chairperson of the Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO), which fosters continued advancement of medical product development and expedites the introduction of new medicines and new treatments to improve health and save lives. She also is a member of the Committee of 200, an organization of preeminent women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders, and has received numerous civic, financial and pharmaceutical industry leadership awards.

Christopher Bergen co-founded Kendle in 1981 and served as a Director and as President and Chief Operating Officer since its incorporation in 1997.

As COO, Mr. Bergen is leading our infrastructure expansion to support the company's projected future growth and drive improved global connectivity. Currently he provides leadership for the company's global Enterprise Resource Planning initiative, Project Management Office and Commercial Operations.

Prior to Kendle, Mr. Bergen served in various capacities at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, ending his tenure as Associate Vice President.

As President, Simon Higginbotham provides global leadership for worldwide customer and business expansion, including strategic customer relations and new market opportunities. He served as Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the company from January 2004 until April 2008 and has been a key member of its executive team since joining the company in 2004. During his tenure, Kendle has consistently reported record sales, delivering growth at double, triple and double again the reported sector growth rate for Phase I-IV services in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. As a result, the company was recognized as the "2006 North American Contract Research Organization Business Development Strategy Leader of the Year" by global growth consulting company Frost & Sullivan.

Mr. Higginbotham has more than 25 years of experience and success in senior leadership positions in the CRO and biopharmaceutical industries. He currently represents Kendle on the Board of Directors of the Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO).

In 2008, Mr. Higginbotham completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.

As Chief Financial Officer, Keith Cheesman will oversee the Company's global financial operations, including Finance, Accounting, Budgeting, Tax, Investor Relations, Internal Audit and Financial Planning and Analysis.

Mr. Cheesman has served as a member of Kendle's Finance senior management team from 2000 to 2004 and from January 2008 to present and has provided leadership for nearly all facets of the Company's financial operations. He rejoined Kendle in January 2008, assuming expanded leadership responsibilities as Vice President, Accounting responsible for the Company's Accounting, Tax, Project Financial Support and Internal Audit functions.

In all, Mr. Cheesman possesses more than 28 years of experience in corporate finance and accounting management, including previously serving as Vice President, Finance; Chief Financial Officer; and Treasurer for a publicly traded site management organization and as Vice President - Corporate Controller and a member of the senior management team for a publicly traded U.S. property and casualty insurance provider.

Mr. Cheesman holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from the University of Dayton. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, The Ohio Society of CPAs and Financial Executives International.