North Bay Business Journal

In an effort to gauge how the region’s major employers are dealing with continued economic uncertainty, the North Bay Business Journal reached out to major companies with a series of employment-related questions, in addition to identifying the top human resources professional at each organization.

The results, from tech to health care, to hospitality to manufacturing, show that many of the major players are faring better, some even thriving, but challenges nonetheless remain.

NOVATO — Mark Wood is vice president of human resources of BioMarin Pharmaceutical, which has approximately 700 employees. He joined the pharmaceutical company in 2004 and oversees all HR functions as well as public relations and corporate communications. Before joining BioMarin, he was a sole proprietor of an HR consulting practice from 2002 to 2004 and previously worked as vice president of human resources and consulting for AG Consulting. He also previously was manager of compensation and quantitative analysis at Genentech and held numerous HR positions with Wells Fargo Bank.

The growing impact of tourism and entertainment — including the coming America’s Cup — on Marin County’s economy and the developing biotech cluster in the region will be the focus of the Business Journal’s annual Impact Marin conference from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, in San Rafael.

While the pressures of the recession have strained economies across the Bay Area, Marin County has managed to outperform other regions on a number of metrics, including the strength of its housing market and an unemployment rate in the statistical area including Marin of 6.5 percent.

NOVATO – BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. is expanding across Hwy. 101 into 20,000 square feet on Wood Hollow Lane.