Biostage, Inc. announced the appointment of Ron Packard as an independent director to its Board of Directors, adding strength in the areas of business innovation, strategy and finance. Ron Packard is the CEO and Founder of Pansophic Learning, a global technology-based education company. Packard is a well-known educator, entrepreneur and visionary as well as the author of the highly regarded and reviewed book Education Transformation.

Packard was previously the long time CEO and Founder of K12 Inc. He oversaw the growth of K12 from just an idea to almost one billion in revenue, making it one of the largest education companies in the world. During his tenure, revenue compounded at nearly 80% and he led the company through its IPO on the NYSE. Before K12, Packard was the Vice President of Knowledge Universe and CEO of Knowledge Schools, one of the nation's largest early childhood education companies.

He was also instrumental in the successful investments in Learn Now, Children's School USA, Leapfrog, TEC, and Children's Discovery Center. Packard also worked for McKinsey & Company where he specialized in Biotechnology and Semiconductors. He previously worked for Goldman Sachs in mergers and acquisitions.

Packard has received the Education Industry Association's James P. Boyle Entrepreneurial Leadership Award, as well as the Ernest & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the IT Services & Solutions category in Greater Washington. The University of Chicago'sBooth School of Business named him a Distinguished Alumni, and he also received an Outstanding Leadership Award from the United States Distance Learning Association. He sits on the Digital Learning Council.

Packard previously served on the Department of Defense's Education Advisory Committee. He holds a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, both with honors. He has also earned the C.F. A designation.