Former governor appointed to bioscience authority

Former Kansas Gov. John Carlin has been appointed to the Kansas Bioscience Authority.

The panel was created in 2004 to create jobs and advance medicine, agriculture and other industries in the state.

Carlin’s appointment by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is subject to confirmation by the Kansas Senate.

He will complete the term of Victoria Franchetti Haynes, chief executive officer of a North Carolina research company who resigned due to time constraints, according to Sebelius’ office.

The term lasts until June 30, 2008. Board members are unpaid.

“John has a breadth of experience here in Kansas and at the national level in both business and government,” Sebelius said.

The authority is tasked with making the state a leader in bioscience research, with hope of creating jobs and economic growth.

Carlin was governor from 1979 to 1987.

He was later appointed archivist of the United States, a post he held from 1995 to 2005.

He also served four years in the Kansas House of Representatives, including a term as House speaker.

Carlin was vice chairman of the board and CEO of Midwest Superconductivity Inc. in Lawrence, a technology physics and research development company.