Georgia Bio Names Ashley Williams Haltom New VP of Government Affairs

Ashley Williams Haltom headshot

Atlanta, Georgia (December 11, 2020) – Georgia Bio, the state’s public policy and business solutions organization representing Georgia’s life sciences sector, announced an addition to its team hiring Ashley Williams Haltom as the Vice President of Government Affairs. In this role, she will provide expanded leadership in developing and implementing sound public policy strategies for Georgia Bio members and strengthen the voice of life sciences in the state.

“At this critical juncture, life sciences play a more prominent role than at any point in recent history. My top priority is to provide information and resources to policymakers on Georgia’s life sciences ecosystem and the important role that it plays in our state,” said Mrs. Haltom.

As Georgia’s biotechnology, medical device, agbio, and digital health communities continue to grow, the addition of Mrs. Haltom bolsters the organization’s government relations activities. Those activities seek to drive solution-oriented public policies and advocacy that support life sciences research, investment and innovation in the state.

Mrs. Haltom has almost a decade of experience working in politics and government, serving in roles with then-Governor Deal’s Office of Workforce Development, the Georgia House of Representatives, and state and federal campaigns. Most recently, she served as the Communications Director and Staff Lobbyist for a statewide trade association. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in International Affairs.

“This role, with ongoing support from our lobbyist Cornerstone Government Affairs, will deepen our relationship with policymakers,” said Maria Thacker Goethe, Georgia Bio’s president and CEO. “Ashley will enhance awareness at the state level for the contributions our life sciences sector and member companies make to Georgia’s economy and improvements in patient care. I am delighted to welcome her to Georgia Bio.”

About Georgia Bio

Georgia Bio ( www.gabio.org ) is the state’s private, non-profit life sciences association. Members include pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies, medical centers, universities and research institutes, government groups and other business organizations involved in the development of life sciences related products and services.

Media Contact:
Kristina Forbes
404-920-2043
kforbes@gabio.org

January 20, 2026
January 20, 2026. Paulding County has been designated a BioReady Silver Community by Georgia Life Sciences, the state’s leading life sciences membership organization. The BioReady designation recognizes communities that demonstrate strong zoning practices, infrastructure capacity, and readiness to support biotechnology and life sciences development. “We are proud to recognize Paulding County as our newest BioReady Silver community,” said Maria Thacker-Goethe, President and CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. “Paulding County’s proactive planning, growing workforce, and access to regional healthcare and transportation infrastructure position it well to support life sciences manufacturing and commercialization. Through the BioReady program, we champion communities that are intentionally preparing to compete for industry investment and job growth.” Paulding County’s designation reflects its commitment to thoughtful land-use planning, scalable infrastructure, and business-friendly development policies that support life sciences and advanced manufacturing uses. Located in the northwest Atlanta metro region, the county offers access to a strong labor pool, major transportation corridors, and regional healthcare systems, making it an attractive option for biotechnology, medical device, diagnostics, and related life sciences companies seeking room to grow. “Georgia BioReady designation validates Paulding County’s readiness to support bioscience investment and strengthens our position as a growing hub for advanced industries,” said Alex Almodovar, President & CEO, Paulding County Economic Development Inc. & Industrial Building Authority The BioReady rating system evaluates communities across three tiers—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—based on their readiness to attract and support life sciences facilities. Through these ratings, Georgia Life Sciences helps municipalities better showcase biotech-appropriate sites, strengthen infrastructure planning, and clearly identify life sciences-friendly locations. This approach enables communities like Paulding County to compete more effectively for private investment and high-quality job creation. Georgia Life Sciences advances innovation, strengthens the workforce pipeline, and grows Georgia’s life sciences economy through the BioReady Community program, modeled after MassBio’s nationally recognized rating system, which assesses a community’s readiness to host life sciences facilities based on zoning practices and infrastructure capacity. About Georgia Life Sciences Georgia Life Sciences, founded in 1989, is a non-profit, membership-based organization that promotes the interests and growth of the life sciences industry. It is the state’s largest and most influential life sciences advocacy and business leadership organization working to improve access to innovative discoveries that have lifesaving impact. The association connects business, academia, government, and other allied entities involved in the application of life sciences products to fuel growth and collaboration through policy development, community programs, national industry initiatives, and a portfolio of educational and networking events. Learn more at galifesciences.org.
January 14, 2026
What happens when students see real work before choosing a future 
January 8, 2026
By: Patrick Plues | RealClearHealth January 8, 2026 For decades, America has led the global biotech industry – thanks, in part, to state-level policies that encourage research and manufacturing investments. But other countries, including China, are sparing no expense in the bid to overtake us. Beijing has officially made biotechnology a national strategic priority and is pouring billions into state-backed research and manufacturing efforts. All states should consider impactful biotech policies that grow and strengthen our domestic biotechnology industry. If states fail to utilize and replicate what are considered to be the best and most successful policies in biotech-focused economic development, the United States will soon lose its long-term leadership in developing medicines and medical technologies, which underpin our health, our economy, and our national security. Thankfully, many governors and state legislatures around the country are already answering this call -- as our new study, The U.S. Bioscience Industry: A Powerful Engine for State Economies, demonstrates. Keep Reading at https://www.realclearhealth.com/2026/01/08/americas_biotech_leadership_depends_on_the_states_1157584.html
MORE POSTS