First Flight Venture Center, Inc. – Research Triangle Park, NC

February 4, 2022

For Immediate Release

The First Flight Board of Directors is delighted to announce that it has welcomed two new members to its ranks, Jim Nichols of O’Brien Atkins and Paula Henderson of SAS. Mr. Nichols and Ms. Henderson join the Board at a time of strategic importance, as First Flight celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021, and is now looking towards the next 30 years as a global hub of innovation and scientific exploration.

“I am so pleased to have Jim and Paula joining the First Flight community, '' said First Flight President Krista Covey. “They will bring their exceptional expertise and wealth of knowledge to the table, and I am delighted to have such fantastic people joining the First Flight Board.”

Jim Nichols is a Senior Associate at O’Brien Atkins, a leading North Carolina architectural and engineering design services firm. O’Brien Atkins has worked to recruit many of NC’s largest life sciences and IT projects. Additionally, Jim works closely with economic development allies across North Carolina on the local, regional, and state levels.

“It is exciting to be part of a leadership team that has propelled innovation forward in the Triangle and beyond,’ Jim said. ‘First Flight Venture Center is a place where entrepreneurs have been empowered to introduce new technologies to the world for over 30 years. Within this dynamic community, visionary leaders find the resources, guidance, and connections to bring innovative products and services to the market.’”

Paula Henderson is the Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer for the Americas at SAS, one of the largest companies in the Triangle area. Paula leads a team of over 2,000 professionals across a variety of industries and countries, including government, financial services, health care, life sciences, manufacturing, energy, and more.

“This region has long attracted some of the best and brightest minds responsible for creating significant scientific and technological advances with impacts felt well beyond our great state,” said Paula Henderson. “By cultivating curiosity and harnessing innovation through its strategic support, the First Flight Venture Center is ushering in the next era of scientific discoveries that will shape North Carolina for generations to come.”

In 2022, the First Flight Board is excited to not only welcome new members to its ranks, but also to forge ahead with implementing First Flight’s mission of launching high-science, high-impact companies into the marketplace.

“It is with deep gratitude that First Flight says goodbye to board members Larry Wilson, Norris Tolson, and Paul Muñana. The Board thanks them for their service and dedication to First Flight and its mission.” said Board Chair Mary Musacchia. “The momentum First Flight has created will be accelerated with the addition of these new board members who bring a wealth of experience to help us as we move forward with plans to grow our footprint in support of the science focused start-ups we serve.”

About First Flight Venture Center

First Flight Venture Center is a high-science, high-impact science-focused business incubator located in the heart of Research Triangle Park, NC. Established in 1991, First Flight has hosted more than 400 plus science-focused companies, providing strategic education, tailored resources, guidance, business connections and office/lab space in a 25,000 sq.ft. facility. First Flight has launched businesses that have commercialized important new science breakthroughs and disruptive technologies, while creating thousands of jobs in North Carolina. For more information, visit http://ffvcnc.org or view First Flight video.

The First Flight Board of Directors Welcomes New Members