E. LaVerne Epp
Executive Chair
Bioscience & Technology Business Center at KU

Mr. Epp is currently the Executive Chair of the Bioscience and Technology Business Center (BTBC), commercialization partner of the University of Kansas. The BTBC has grown to over 40 companies since its inception in 2010 and is now the largest center for commercialization affiliated with a major research university in the Midwest. In addition, he currently is a Trustee for the Kansas University Center for Research as well as a director of KU Innovation and Collaboration. He serves as an Advisory Board member of the Entrepreneurial Council of the KU School of Business where he is also a lecturer.

Mr. Epp is the chair and member of the board of directors of Lifespace Communities, Inc., a national retirement community company in Des Moines, Iowa. He is also a member of the board of trustees of the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association, Lawrence, Kansas and a director of the Douglas County Community Foundation.

In 2015, Mr. Epp was named to the Lawrence Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame.

In 2001, Mr. Epp was named President of Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas. He served in that position from 2002 until late 2005. Bethel College is a 127-year old private undergraduate residential liberal arts college. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

In 1986, Mr. Epp co-founded Retirement Management Company, a development and management company for senior living accommodations and services. The company moved to Lawrence in its first year and began building its flagship retirement community, Brandon Woods. During its fifteen year history Retirement Management Company grew to a dozen owned and managed retirement communities in six states. The company was sold in 2001 in a private transaction.

In 1976, Mr. Epp joined a private law practice in Newton, Kansas which later became Adrian and Epp, P.A. The firm operated out of multiple offices in several cities and provided a broad range of legal services. During his years in private law practice Mr. Epp served as Municipal Administrative Judge for Hesston, Kansas.

Mr. Epp received his undergraduate degree from Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas in 1972. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the College of Law, University of Nebraska, in 1976.

He is married to Marilyn Epp and has three adult children.

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