Franklin Bost grew up in Shelby, N.C., and completed his bachelor’s degree in product design from NC State in 1968. He then earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He completed the Tuck Executive Program at Dartmouth College and the Director’s College, a program offered by the University of Georgia and the National Association of Corporate Directors.

Bost is president of Porex Surgical Products Group in Atlanta. He has led the company from start-up to its current position as a leader in the facial biomaterial market. Porex is a globally focused business with sales in the United States and more than 40 countries worldwide. He developed and implemented U.S. and international marketing and sales programs for medical implantable devices, OEM medical, consumer and industrial components.

“Franklin Bost is in the business of restoring hope,” said Marvin J. Malecha, dean of the College of Design. “Through Franklin’s innovative leadership of Porex Surgical, which develops cutting-edge products for craniofacial reconstructive surgery, medical patients all over the world have been able to lead normal lives.

“At the College of Design and at NC State, Franklin gives of his time, expertise and resources to improve students’ educational experiences. Franklin is an alumnus who has combined his knowledge of design and business, as well as his spirit of community, to make a remarkable difference in the quality of life for countless people. We look to him as an example for our graduates to emulate.”

Before pursuing marketing, sales and business development strategies, Bost was a senior product development designer. He brought multiple new products from concept to successful commercialization. Bost is experienced in implementing quality management systems and international standards and certifications.

In addition to serving on the NC State University College of Design campaign committee, Bost is establishing a graduate fellowship in industrial design. He serves as an advisor to the industrial design department and presented at the Entrepreneurship and the Creative Spirit Seminar last year. Other service to the business and education communities include the university’s Graduate School Board of Advisors, the National Association of Corporate Directors, the Georgia Biomedical Partnership, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, AdvaMed and the Society of Biomaterials.

Bost was honored on Friday, Oct. 31 at NC State’s Distinguished Alumni Awards as the 2003 College of Design Distinguished Alumnus.