Seattle, WA-Gene Williams has been named to the Board of Trustees of the Pacific Northwest Research Institute (PNRI, now PNDRI). Mr. Williams has joined a distinguished group of business leaders guiding the Institute's strategic growth as it advances diabetes and cancer science.

Under the leadership of Dr. Paul Robertson, PNRI has undergone momentous growth in the past five years. It has expanded its cancer research significantly and built a comprehensive center for diabetes research. The current challenge is to continue this scientific growth and success, to develop new technology and innovative research ideas, to expand PNRI's public profile, and to cultivate new private support.

Williams brings broad experience and expertise to the PNRI Board. After classical training at Seattle University, he undertook a career in life insurance, helping individual and business clients for more than thirty years with their estate liquidity and business succession planning. He is a past president of Seattle Life Underwriters, a past member of the University of Washington Estate Planning Advisory Board, co-founder of the Seattle University Estate Planning Advisory Board, and a member of the Archdiocese of Seattle Gift Planning Committee.

According to Robertson, PNRI Scientific Director and President of the Board, Mr. Williams is an important addition to the Institute's Trustees. "Gene has business experience and gift planning knowledge that will be very helpful to us. He will provide crucial guidance as the Institute grows. His interpersonal work with estate planning clients will help us cultivate the support we need to advance our scientific mission."