TBED People and Organizations

J. Mike Books is leaving his post with the Indiana Health Industry Forum to become the first economic development director for the city of Columbia, Missouri. He also will serve as president of the Regional Economic Development Inc. Brooks will assume his new responsibilities on July 15.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of Judith Canales as Administrator for Rural Business and Cooperative programs in USDA's Rural Development agency.

Donald Cardon, who has been serving as director of the Arizona Department of Housing since March, was named director of the Arizona Department of Commerce.

John Chaffee has assumed the post of president and CEO of North Carolina's Eastern Region Development Commission. His predecessor, Al Delia, left when he was appointed as Gov. Bev Perdue's policy director.

Howard Gobstein is now the Executive Officer and Vice President of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.

Toronto's MaRS Innovation has appointed Dr. Raphael (Rafi) Hofstein as President and CEO, effective June 8.

Jeff Mason, currently senior vice president and chief business development officer for the Michigan Economic Development Corp., has been selected to become the first executive director of Michigan's University Research Corridor effective July 6.

Southeast BIO has named Jennifer Moore as its new executive director. Moore replaces Stephanie Adams.

The Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation (KTEC) board of directors announced that Tracy Taylor is stepping down as KTEC's president and chief executive officer effective June 30.

Kirk White, director of community relations at Indiana University, has been promoted to the newly created position of assistant vice president for university relations and engagement. White, a lieutenant colonel in the Indiana National Guard, has been called to active duty for a second tour in Afghanistan and will be on a leave of absence from IU until the summer of 2010.