David A. Dodd, president and CEO of Norcross-based Serologicals Corp., has been awarded the Oglethorpe Sword, a ceremonial broad sword given annually to an American or British businessperson who has contributed significantly to Anglo-Georgian business interests. As is the custom, last year's recipient, Steve Porter, president of the Atlanta-based Americas InterContinental Hotels Group, passed the sword to Mr. Dodd at the annual Oglethorpe Ball hosted by the British American Business Group (BABG) of Atlanta on Feb. 19. He received the award for his role in significantly expanding Serologicals' business in the United Kingdom. Serologicals produces specialty human antibody-based products to life science companies. Its customers include research institutions and life science companies around the world. At the BABG ceremony, Michael Bates, British Consul General in Atlanta said, "There were some strong candidates for this year's award, but David Dodd topped them all as a worthy and deserving awardee. Under his direction, Serologicals Corp. has consolidated its business in Scotland and invested wisely for the future." Since becoming CEO in 2000, Serologicals' original modest operation in Livingston, Scotland, has grown to handle 70 percent of Scotland's drug-testing business, according to a statement from the British consulate general. Mr. Dodd also raised the profile of Serologicals' presence in the U.K. with acquisitions of Chemicon International Inc., which bases its European operations in Hampshire, England, and Upstate Group, which has its European headquarters in Dundee, Scotland, the statement said. The company, which currently employs some 200 people in Scotland, also plans to expand its research and development facilities there with the opening of a new facility in Dundee next month, Mr. Bates told GlobalAtlanta. Mr. Dodd is also outgoing chairman of the Georgia Biomedical Partnership and a board member of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Other recipients have included Pete Correll, CEO of Georgia Pacific Corp., Rick Ussery, current board chairman and former CEO of Columbus-based Total System Services Inc., and Bill Bullock, former president of Lockheed Martin Corp. For more information, contact Jo LeGood, British vice consul, at (404) 954-7706 or Margo Engel, executive director of BABG at (404) 681-2224.