Avid Bioservices, Inc.  announced the appointment of Michael Alston, Jr. as vice president, operations. Mr. Alston was promoted from Avid's director of project engineering, a role in which he led all of the company's ongoing facility expansions. In his new position, he will continue to oversee these projects including the Myford South expansion, as well as the construction of Avid's new dedicated cell and gene therapy facility.

Mr. Alston has more than 15 years of experience spanning operational and capital management responsibilities supporting cGMP manufacturing, facilities, engineering, and environmental, health and safety (EHS) functions. Prior to joining Avid in 2019, Mr. Alston was associate director, engineering and facilities with Sterogene Bioseperations, where he led the biotechnology company's engineering, facilities, maintenance, safety and environmental functions. During this time, he led the design, construction and launch of Sterogene's new, more than $5 million cGMP laboratory and pilot plant manufacturing facility.

Mr. Alston has also previously served in senior roles within Merck's viral vaccine manufacturing unit, including senior manufacturing supervisor. His career has included senior engineering, facilities and operational management positions with Unilever and ConAgra Foods.