BioLife Solutions, Inc. announced that Rick Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Kirkland-based Cardiac Dimensions, has joined its board of directors and has been appointed to its Audit Commitee. BioLife Solutions is based in Bothell and is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of proprietary clinical grade hypothermic storage and cryopreservation freeze media for cells and tissues.

Stewart replaces Howard Breslow, who submitted his resignation from the board.

Stewart has served as President and Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors of Cardiac Dimensions, since 2001. From 1998 to 2001 he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Tegris Corporation, a leading IT infrastructure and enterprise applications provider for vertical markets.

Stewart has had a long career within Eli Lilly in its Medical Device and Diagnostics Unit, holding multiple executive positions in general and technical management, sales, marketing and business development. Stewart was a member of the senior team that led a buyout of the Physio-Control subsidiary from Eli-Lilly in 1994 which shortly thereafter was taken public. He received an MBA from the University of Washington.

“I am very pleased that Rick has agreed to join our board at this very important time for BioLife,” said Mike Rice, BioLife Solutions Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We are generating record revenues and on a significant growth path, and Rick’s extensive life sciences and operations background will make his counsel  and participation invaluable as we seek to generate more shareholder value. I know I speak for our entire board in looking forward to the contributions Rick will make as we continue to execute our growth plan.”