James, a former executive with Louisiana Economic Development, was named SCBIO’s President and Chief Executive Officer in November 2021.

Dr. Chappell’s career also includes time with Chartic Management Consulting in Boston, from which he joined Louisiana Economic Development (LED) in 2013 and held positions of increasing responsibility at the organization including Executive Director of State Economic Competitiveness before being named Executive Director of Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship for the organization in 2021.

During his tenure at LED, Dr. Chappell’s numerous successes included designing and implementing the state’s $100 million venture capital and small business funds, developing strategies to recruit globally recognized companies to the state , and joining the Louisiana MediFund board to develop strategies to increase the biosciences and healthcare industries in Louisiana. He also collaborated with bioscience and technology advocates to improve incentives to promote growth in the bioscience and technology industries.

Dr Chappell earned his B.S. and M.S. in Plant Environmental Sciences from Clemson University, his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, and a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Stem Cell Biology focusing on cancer and diabetes from Harvard Medical School. A three-year varsity football letterman while at Clemson, he is married with two children.

Lou Kennedy is President, Chief Executive Officer and Owner of Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation. She joined Nephron Pharmaceuticals in 2001, and accepted the position of President and Chief Executive Officer in September 2007. Having held a variety of marketing and operational roles during her career; one notable achievement at Nephron was creating a national sales force, a rarity in the pharmaceutical industry. In the years following, this helped Nephron Pharmaceuticals grow by 300% and increased shipped product to one billion doses each of the last seven years.

Nephron recently built a state of the art manufacturing facility in West Columbia, South Carolina. Mrs. Kennedy was at the forefront of this expansion, which opened in June 2014. Lou is always seeking to enhance and grow her business. She started a 503B Outsourcing division of Nephron in 2016. Production for that division began in January 2017 and is rapidly increasing.

Along with her husband Bill, Mrs. Kennedy helped establish the Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center in conjunction with the USC School of Pharmacy. She serves on a variety of business and civic boards, including but not limited to, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the National Bank of South Carolina Board, a division of Synovus, Columbia College Board of Trustees, South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance as well as the USC Athletic Department Board. Lou and Bill Kennedy were named Ambassadors of the Year by the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce in 2013. They also received the Lexington County Ambassador for Economic Development award in 2014. A graduate of the University of South Carolina’s College of Journalism with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Mrs. Kennedy never shies from the opportunity to cheer on the Gamecocks!

As head of Nexsen Pruet’s economic development group and a key member of the its public finance group, Tushar works to negotiate and implement financial transactions aimed at sparking new success, or bolstering established success, for his clients. Tushar has represented a diverse group of companies, both domestic and international, in industries including heavy and light manufacturing, pharmaceutical and life sciences, warehouse and distribution, research and development, alternative energy, and real estate development.  He is highly active in numerous community and business organizations.  Tushar is a Member of the Bar in North Carolina and South Carolina.  He holds his J.D. from the Wake Forest University School of Law, and his B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of South Carolina. 

Thornton Kirby is President and CEO of the South Carolina Hospital Association, a role he has held since 2005.

Under Thornton’s leadership SCHA has been an advocate for patients as well as hospitals, earning a national reputation for statewide improvements in quality and safety. South Carolina was the first state to establish “Certified Zero Harm Awards,” which are given annually to hospitals that can demonstrate at least 12 consecutive months without certain types of harm.

Thornton attended the University of Virginia, where he studied government and interned for Senator Strom Thurmond.  He studied law at the University of South Carolina and began his professional career as a healthcare attorney with the Nexsen Pruet law firm. After advising hospitals for several years, Thornton served as a hospital executive and later as a senior executive for Clemson University.

Experienced executive in all aspects of the clinical trial space. Co-founded multiple research entities ultimately managing all clinical operations within VitaLink Research, a wholly owned, private equity backed network of clinical trial sites. VitaLink Research is the growth platform (through tuck-in acquisition and de novo) headquartered out of Greenville, SC. Clinically trained as a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner and having spent 20 years owning/operating clinical trial sites Steve is helping to create one of the largest network of privately held clinical trial sites in the United States.

Based in the Greenville, South Carolina office of Nelson Mullins, Christopher Hanson is the head of the firm’s FDA Regulatory Compliance & Litigation practice group. He assists clients in tackling their most sophisticated and high-stakes regulatory issues involving medical devices, human and animal drugs, in vitro diagnostics (IVDs), dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and clinical laboratories. He has aided clients in consequential interactions with federal, state, and foreign regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

In his advisory practice, Christopher crafts creative and practical solutions for clients. His work also includes drafting FDA regulatory submissions as well as preparing public comments for agency rulemakings, guidance documents, advisory committees, and public policy venues. He provides strategic advice and regulatory due diligence to support corporate transactions and securities filings in the life sciences space. He also has experience counseling in FDA enforcement matters and conducting internal investigations and audits.

A prolific writer and frequent speaker in industry, academic, and government-sponsored settings, he is the author of “Overview of the Legal Framework for Medical Device Regulation in the United States” in Practising Law Institute's Medical Devices Law and Regulation Answer Book (2021, 2019). Christopher received an undergraduate degree (BA with Honors) from Yale University, his Master of Divinity degree (MDiv) from Harvard University as a Presidential Scholar, and a law degree (JD with Honors and Order of the Coif) from Northwestern University.

David Stefanich is co-founder and CEO of Rymedi, a cloud-based disease testing and vaccine administration workflow management solution.  A former CIO and CTO for global Fortune 500 companies, he specializes in technology architectures and software applications for highly-regulated industries. He has employed data-driven methodologies to improve compliance and operations in pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chain management. An inorganic chemist by training, he combines his Masters’ degrees in Chemistry, Computer Science, and Global Finance to improve healthcare technology workflows. He is a founding member of the Blockchain in Healthcare Global IEEE ISTO. 

Cynthia Y. Young became the Founding Dean of Clemson University’s new College of Science on Aug. 15, 2017. Under Dean Young’s leadership, the College developed an aspirational 2026 strategic plan, SCIForward, focused on excellence in scientific discovery, learning, and engagement that is both locally relevant and globally impactful. Dean Young and the Science Leadership Team are focused on three key goals: Strengthening the national and international prominence of our scientific discovery; Elevating the science learning experience; and Challenging the status quo.

Under her leadership the College of Science has increased student success (freshman retention/ graduation rates), increased faculty success and recognition which has strengthened the R1 culture, and increased philanthropic support including establishing the Dean’s Leadership Circle.  She believes that diversity makes us smarter as we tackle tomorrow’s greatest scientific challenges and prepare the next generation of leading scientists and has expanded the recruitment and engagement of our students and faculty who are traditionally underrepresented in Science.

Prior to coming to Clemson, Young spent 20 years at the University of Central Florida (UCF) where she served in several leadership roles, including Vice Provost for Faculty Excellence and UCF Global, Associate Dean for the College of Sciences, Co-Founder of UCF’s EXCEL program, the NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative, and the Faculty Senate leadership team.

As an interdisciplinary scholar, Young developed mathematical models governing atmospheric effects in laser communication channels. Her scholarly impact has been recognized nationally by the Office of Naval Research with the Young Investigator Award, and she is a fellow of the International Society of Optics and Photonics. The author of more than 70 books and publications, Young secured continuous federal funding from 1999 through 2017 from the Department of Defense and the National Science Foundation. While at UCF, Young was named a Pegasus Professor and recognized through many research, teaching, and service awards.

She earned a B.A. degree in education (secondary mathematics) from the University of North Carolina, an M.S. in mathematical sciences from UCF, and her M.S. in electrical engineering and Ph.D. in applied mathematics from the University of Washington, where she was supported by a federal doctoral fellowship.

Dr. Cull is VP of Academic Development for Prisma Health and Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education for the University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Greenville.  He serves as senior advisor to the Prisma Health Chief Executive Academic Officer and USC Schools of Medicine Deans, among others, and oversees all Upstate graduate medical education programs.  Dr. Cull is a professor in the Department of Surgery and an adjunct professor at the Clemson University School of Health Research.  He holds numerous patents for vascular access and wound management devices and has launched two start-up companies.  He received his B.S. in biology from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine, and his MBA from University of Massachusetts.  He also served 12 years in the Air Force Medical Corps.

Marc Metcalf is a Business Recruitment Officer for the Upstate SC Alliance, providing support to companies that are considering expansion of their business in the U.S.  In his role, Marc works with the Alliance’s public and private sector investors in executing recruitment strategies focused on making the Upstate an ideal location for business expansion opportunities.

Prior to joining the Upstate SC Alliance, Marc was a business developer with a manufacturing focused credit union and was responsible for relationship development and company growth while serving hundreds of South Carolina manufacturers and their employees.  Most recently, Marc was the Employer Services Manager with Greenville Technical College, serving as the college’s liaison to the business community and implementing customized training and workforce development solutions for area manufacturers.  Marc has a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and an MBA from North Greenville University.  Marc currently represents the Alliance on the boards of SCBIO and the SC Automotive Council and is a board member of the City of Greer Recreation Association. 

Rich joined the leadership team at Medpoint following a distinguished and varied 23-year career with a Fortune 100 multinational medical device and pharmaceutical company. Rich brings executive-level leadership experience and technical knowledge in Operations, Quality Assurance, Compliance, and Regulatory Affairs. As Chief Operating Officer of Medpoint, Rich has direct responsibility for all aspects of day-to-day operations and quality assurance.

Scotty Branch has been an executive, entrepreneur and founder for multiple organizations from the corporate pharmaceutical world to the diagnostics and lab industry. Before becoming an entrepreneur, he held multiple positions with large pharmaceutical companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Novartis and Roche. These positions ranged from sales representation to corporate management.

As a Co-Founder of Vikor Scientific, he manages the business relations of Vikor, which includes the management of the Sales Division and Area Vice Presidents, C-Suite relationships with healthcare institutions and commercial partners, payor relations, and other facets of the business growth, including the new WestEdge project.

Mike Brenan is the Regional President for Truist Financial Corporation. He oversees the South Carolina region’s team of experienced financial professionals dedicated to serving the company’s diverse mix of clients, including: business banking; commercial banking; middle market banking; and regional commercial real estate.

With more than 46 years of experience, Mike began his banking career in 1975 as a management trainee. In 1988, he became the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bank One, Portsmouth. In 1994, he became Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of MainStreet Financial Corporation. In 1998 MainStreet was acquired by BB&T Corporation and Mike has been the Regional President in South Carolina since 1999. Mike was named Regional President for the South Carolina Region of the newly formed Truist Financial Corporation in 2019.

Passionate about inspiring and building better lives and communities, Mike serves in various capacities on numerous boards, to include SCBIO, Midlands Business Leadership Group, Palmetto Promise Institute, the Trinity Forum, SC Philharmonic, TransformSC, and the South Carolina Collaborative for Race and Reconciliation. Previously, he served as Chairman of United Way of the Midlands, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Palmetto Business Forum, Moore School of Business Partnership Foundation and Central SC Economic Development Alliance. Mike is the Governor’s appointee to the South Carolina State Board of Education. He has also received the Business Leader of the Year award from the South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce, the Humanitarian of the Year Award form United Way of the Midlands, and the Distinguished Service Award from the University of South Carolina.

Mike holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics from Bowling Green State University. Mike and his wife Julie have four children, Erin, Andrew, Rob, and Molly.

Mandy Brawley serves as Director of Global Business Development division for the South Carolina Department of Commerce. She is active in the recruitment of new business and the expansion of existing businesses in the state. In Mrs. Brawley’s time at the Department of Commerce, she has managed projects that produced over 11,000 jobs and more than $2 billion dollars in capital investments in our state.

Prior to this position, she was a pharmaceutical representative covering South Carolina and parts of Georgia. Mrs. Brawley moved to South Carolina from her hometown of Biloxi, Mississippi, where she began her economic development career at the Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce. She is married to William Brawley, II, a native of Irmo, South Carolina. They have two daughters, Stella and Bette.

Mrs. Brawley has earned the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. She has also attended the Basic Economic Development course from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 

Caroline Brown is the director of the Office of External Affairs for the Medical University of South Carolina and MUSC Health. Before that, she oversaw external affairs and strategic engagement for MUSC’s Office of the President. In that capacity, she assisted MUSC President David Cole, M.D., and MUSC leadership in crafting a corporate engagement strategy which led to community support for MUSC as well as commercial partnerships.

In her expanded role, Brown’s responsibilities encompass both the academic and clinical operations of the MUSC enterprise, working to establish new strategic partnerships and overseeing the organization’s corporate affairs and economic development work.  She continues to serve in an advisory role as a special assistant to President Cole.

Prior to joining MUSC, Brown was a campaign and financial strategist for federal political candidates. She also served as U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham’s national deputy finance director and state deputy finance director and spent time in Washington working on Capitol Hill. During her time in politics and government, she successfully built relationships with business and industry leaders across the country and led record breaking fundraising strategies and campaigns, garnering the skills necessary for navigating complex environments and solving problems.

Brown, a Charleston native, earned her undergraduate degree in public relations from the University of South Carolina and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in business administration.

Matthew is the Dean for the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), Carolinas campus. In his previous position, he served as the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at VCOM. 

John is the Founder & CEO of ZVerse, which helps helps digital manufacturing and supply chain teams solve their greatest 3D content creation & scale challenges. Before starting ZVerse in March 2013, John served as Executive Vice President of Business Development at Reachsmart Interactive, a 50 person digital marketing company, where he led the company’s sales efforts resulting in more than $20 million in annual sales online.

From the instant South Carolina Power Team was introduced to James he knew his career path had prepared him to lead the organization as President and CEO. His ability to develop and maintain relationships and his track-record of success of maximizing opportunities for developing rural areas and mid-sized communities, were necessities for moving this organization forward.

A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, James graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Science. Having received his college degree in Childhood Development, James began his career at a local children’s hospital. Call it chance or fate, when a friend presented an opportunity for him to work in economic development with the Chamber of Commerce in Leadville, Colorado, it changed his course and began his 20-year career in economic development. Following, James worked in various executive leadership capacities for economic development organizations in both Georgia and Tennessee.

Upon joining the South Carolina Power Team in the fall of 2013, James ventured out to personally meet with over 130 stakeholders within his first six months. From his one-on-one conversations emerged the framework for a new strategy that enables South Carolina Power Team to become a leading economic development resource in South Carolina. With James at the helm, backed by a fully supportive board, a Strategic Blueprint was adopted in January 2014. Essential to the overall growth and future of the organization, James is charged with the strategy’s implementation.

“The establishment of a new industry that brings better job opportunities, for many, may mean a family member having their first well-paying job.”

 While James may not be a South Carolina native, in his new role he has absorbed and traveled the 46-county state becoming a quick-study. James’ hands-on approach has enabled him to become fully entrenched in what the electric cooperatives offer for local economic development organizations, their stakeholders and South Carolina. “Changing family trees” is what the Power Team system does as a whole.

James, an avid fisherman of both fresh and saltwater, lives on Lake Murray with his wife, Stevie. Together, they have two adolescent children, two adult children, and two grandchildren. He and his wife love International food and travel.

Matthew Couvillion focuses his practice on transactional matters, with an emphasis on corporate law, tax, and non-profit organizations.  He has experience advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, tax matters, and corporate governance. 

Matthew received an LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center.  He earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law where he was the Managing Editor of the South Carolina Journal of International Law and Business. He is a graduate of Auburn University with a B.A. in History.

Stephen Creech is Assistant Vice President of Healthcare Strategy for BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina where he is responsible for strategic initiatives within the Healthcare Innovation & Improvement division of commercial business.  A native of South Carolina, Stephen graduated from Wofford College and the Medical University of South Carolina where he earned a Masters in Health Administration.  Prior to BlueCross, he was a hospital administrator working in operations for the Hospital Corporation of America (Trident Medical Center) and Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals.  He is a Rotarian and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.  In addition to SCBIO, he also serves on the board of Special Olympics South Carolina and is the chairman of the Carolina Children’s Home Foundation.  Stephen and his wife Lindsay have three children: Caroline, Mack and Elizabeth.      

Dr. Stephen J. Cutler serves as the dean of the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy.  He has been a pharmacy educator for more than 25 years.  In addition, he is a broadly trained medicinal chemist and behavioral pharmacologist whose research focuses on the design, synthesis, discovery and development of drugs to treat various disorders, including those of the central nervous system (CNS).  During his career, Dr. Cutler has received more than $30,000,000 from various federal agencies including the NIH, NSF, DoD, CDC, NASA, and the USDA.  He is the author or co-author of more than 45 patents (US and international), 120 peer-reviewed publications, 3 books, 20 book chapters, 39 published abstracts, and 62 invited presentations.

J.J. currently serves as Director State Government Affairs for Johnson & Johnson, which he joined in 2011.  Previously he served as President at Tallon Darby Communications and as a registered lobbyist with The Palmetto Policy Group.  He holds a B.S. in International Studies and Economics from the University of South Carolina.

As a senior executive with more than 25 years of experience, including leadership of both for-profit and non-profit, Ronda brings a breadth of experience across various facets of the healthcare industry.

In her current role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Afaxys Inc., she is committed to leading the Afaxys team in serving the needs of public health providers and their patients – from delivering the best contraceptive options to sourcing all the products and services they need to provide affordable access to reproductive and sexual health for everyone.

Deepal is the President of Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc. He is active on numerous civic boards including the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and was named a fellow of the society in 2007. The Fellow designation is considered one of the most esteemed honors that Civil Engineers can receive from their peers. Fewer than 6% of ASCE members hold the title of Fellow.He earned a B.S. and M.E. in Civil Engineering from the University of South Carolina. 

Alissa advises national, regional and local healthcare providers on a broad range of legal issues. As both an attorney and a registered nurse, she uses her first-hand experience to understand and strategically address some of her clients’ biggest industry challenges.

Alissa’s clients include large hospital systems as well as long term care facilities, home health agencies, pharmacies, and healthcare professionals. Her counsel touches on almost every aspect of health care operations including regulatory compliance; operations and risk management; certification; reimbursement and Medicare and Medicaid repayment audits and voluntary repayments; investigations and disclosures under the CMS and OIG self-disclosure protocols involving potential violations of the Fraud and Abuse Anti-kickback Statute; confidentiality of medical information and HIPAA; facility licensing; certification of need; scope of practice and other healthcare issues involving both the state and federal law.

On the healthcare litigation side, Alissa handles litigation at the trial and appellate levels, including jury and non-jury trials and hearings on behalf of hospitals, physicians, long term care facilities, home health and hospice providers, pharmacies, and other healthcare professionals in claims ranging from medical malpractice, disciplinary proceedings, repayment, and qui tam whistleblower actions.

In addition to her healthcare practice, Alissa counsels and represents public and private employers on employment issues. She concentrates her employment practice on healthcare providers and represents clients in all aspects of employment litigation, including matters involving discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII, ADEA, FMLA, ADA and state employment laws.

Michael J. Graney leads the CRDA's comprehensive, strategic global business development efforts focused on five industry clusters - Aerospace, Automotive, Information Technology, Life Sciences and Advanced Logistics. Mike joined the CRDA after successfully managing the Business Development program at the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts for more than eight years. Mike’s focus is on inward investment to Charleston, with a particular emphasis on European FDI. Mike is active with our Investor Relations program, engaging public and private sector investors and allies to support our business attraction strategy.

Mike has had an eclectic career, working in industries as varied as economic development, commercial development, and sports and entertainment. Mike has spent his entire career on the East Coast, primarily in New England.

Mike was born in upstate New York and received his B.A. in Economics from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He currently resides in Charleston and enjoys living 5 minutes from the beach.

Chad Hardaway is Associate Director of the University of South Carolina (USC) Office of Economic Engagement and the Director of the Technology Commercialization Office.  As Associate Director of the USC Office of Economic Engagement, Chad works to align USC assets with outside corporate and government partners.  As Director of the USC Office of Technology Commercialization, Chad oversees a portfolio of over 500 university technologies and is responsible for moving those technologies out of the laboratory and into the marketplace. 

Chad also works with University Technology Startups and South Carolina Technology Companies to form partnerships, find capital, explore research opportunities, develop new markets, and ultimately move products into the hands of consumers.  Prior to joining the University of South Carolina in 2005, Chad was a Process Engineer with Eastman Chemical Company.  These past positions and experiences provide a broad understanding of the early stage technology development cycle and how it can connect with existing corporate market and technology development.  Chad has a BS in Chemical Engineering, MBA, and a Juris Doctor all from the University of South Carolina.

Shea Harrelson is an experienced clinician and entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of working in the medical and biotech industry. After graduating from the Medical University of South Carolina with her Physician Assistant degree, she practiced in the field of Cardiology for nine years. She then joined St. Jude Medical where she specialized in the Cardiac Rhythm Management Division.

Shea began her entrepreneurial career in 2013 with building a national sales commercialization and worked with several start-up companies to bring new diagnostic products to market. While always passionate about the medical field, Shea is specifically driven to develop modalities to help combat the global epidemic of antibiotic resistance, which led her to Vikor Scientific.

Shea manages the internal operations, employees and resources of Vikor. She is responsible for the initial and ongoing development of the diagnostic panels and testing algorithms and the overall planning, implementation, and integration of the company’s strategies.

Anthony loves promoting innovative cultures, believing that to grow innovative cultures there must be innovative leaders. As the founding executive director for Furman Innovation and Entrepreneurship, he champions development of innovative and entrepreneurially-minded leaders, growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem at Furman, and contributing to the local and national entrepreneurial ecosystem.  Rated by U.S. News & World Reports as the #5 Most Innovative College, Furman Innovation and Entrepreneurship exists to develop innovative and entrepreneurially-minded leaders who are equipped to transform our communities and the world through social and entrepreneurial ventures. Past roles include time in executive development and leadership succession with Toyota and SMU.  

David is the VP of Global Business Recruitment for Central SC Alliance. Previously, he was the Director of Economic Development Marketing for the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. He earned his B.S. in Econimics and Political Science from Francis Marion University.

Ms. Leidinger, who earned her bachelor’s degree from Clemson, joined the university as executive director of governmental affairs in 2002 and assumed additional duties as executive secretary to the Clemson board of trustees in 2008.  She has primary responsibility for directing Clemson’s government relations activity at both the state and federal levels, and works with industry and developing strategic partnerships to strengthen the university’s economic and industry engagement. In addition, she serves as executive secretary to the board of trustees. In that role, she serves as the liaison between the university and its board of trustees, facilitating relationships and information sharing between the board and university administration, faculty, staff and students.

Direct comprehensive state government affairs strategies to advance the company’s public policy priorities to ensure an optimal business environment and patient access and reimbursement to innovative therapies.
* Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with bipartisan state legislators and regulators, patient and provider organizations, third-party organizations, think tanks and other health care stakeholders across the assigned states.
* Identify legislative and regulatory priorities to develop and recommend strategic and tactical courses of action to address threats and opportunities for state government and public affairs engagement.
* Meaningfully lead and/or participate in coalitions and build comprehensive public affairs campaigns to advance proactive public policy agenda.
* Collaborate cross-functionally across Corporate Affairs to advance the company’s business interests and policy priorities, including Federal Government Affairs, Public Policy, Patient Advocacy, Communications and other key functions.
* Effectively partner and represent BMS' perspective with trade associations, including PhRMA’s state task-forces, state biotechnology organizations and key third-party groups.
* Work with state legislative and campaign committee organizations to identify opportunities for strategic support and partnership on opportunities for engagement.
* Manage external consultants and operating budget in assigned states

Bob serves as the Executive Director at the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA). Previously, he served in roles at Battelle and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He earned his M.A. in Science and Technology Management from George Washington University and completed the Executive Management Program at Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Josh is the Global Business Manager at Zeus Industrial Products, where he has been for over 20 years. He earned his B.S. in Biological and Biomedical Sciences from Clemson University.

Robert is the CEO and Founding Member of Innova Therapeutics, which is a dedicated biotech developing innovative therapies for people living with cancer. Their lead program is a novel targeted anti-cancer therapy directed against a protein (SFRP2) which is expressed across multiple tumor types. SFRP2 regulates the non-canonical Wnt-signaling cascade in tumor cells (primary and metastatic), endothelial cells, and T-cells, affecting tumor growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and T-Cell proliferation. This target has been validated in human cancers where increased expression of this protein (SFRP2) was found to correlate with tumor progression and poor prognosis.

He earned his Master's degree in Genetics and Pharmacokinetics from North Dakota State University and his PhD in Toxicology from the University of North Carolina.

In 2010, Dave Shalaby took on the role of president after having served on the board of directors for eight years. Under Dave’s leadership, the company has grown into a vertically integrated design, development, and custom manufacturer of bioresorbable medical device and pharmaceutical products. Before stepping into his role at Poly-Med, Inc., Dave was founder and president of InSource Consulting, providing strategic consulting services to financial service companies to improve process and business efficiencies through the use of process analysis methodologies.

During his tenure, Dave personally led major merger and acquisition integrations for two Fortune 100 insurance companies and has overseen countless key strategic efforts in support of his clients.

He grew InSource Consulting into a multi-million dollar specialty management consulting firm aimed at providing strategic support services to large companies within the healthcare, financial service, and federal government sectors. InSource Consulting was acquired by Virtusa, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRTU) in 2009.

This unique mix of strategic and business acumen has led to significant growth at Poly-Med, Inc. Several key initiatives encouraging the team to achieve elegant solutions are advancing the company to the next level, while staying true to the legacy of Dave’s father, Dr. Shalaby W. Shalaby.

David holds a B.S. in Aeronautical Technology from Purdue University (1992) and an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago (1994).

.A higher education professional with more than 20 years’ experience focused on enrollment management and advancement at small private and mid-size public institutions. I work with colleagues to provide an exceptional education to students who seek to be well-rounded and prepared for their career and community. I also have the great fortune of working with generous individuals who invest in our students. 

Kay is an Executive Director at VisionGreenwood in Greenwood, SC. Previously, she served in roles at the Greenwood Partnership Alliance and the Foundation for a Greater Greenwood County. She earned her B.A. in Language and International Trade from Clemson University.

David currently serves as the Vice President of Marketing and Consulting Services for CAI. In this leadership role, David keeps up with the latest developments in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and coordinates CAI’s industry-leading Principal Consultants to advance innovation and solve the toughest client challenges. David has served on a major pharmaceutical client’s merger integration team and is a 25-year member of ISPE. In his 22 years at CAI David has served in a wide variety of technical, managerial, and technical sales roles. He has over 26 years’ experience in pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing with a focus on automation and startup project management.
David has spoken on a variety of subjects around computer system validation, project management, and most recently on pharmaceutical industry quality responses to the pandemic. He spent six years in the US Navy in Nuclear Engineering, has a B.S. in Technical Management, and an Executive Certificate in the Business of Life Sciences from Indiana University.

Dr. Skinner is the Director of the Greenwood Genetic Center. He is a clinical geneticist involved in the evaluation and treatment of children and adults
with birth defects, intellectual disabilities, and other genetic disorders. His areas of interest include Rett syndrome, Angelman syndrome, autism,
and intellectual disabilities. Dr. Skinner has been actively involved in the treatment initiative of the Center and was instrumental in the development
of the South Carolina Center for the Treatment of Genetic Disorders. He is a principal investigator on the NIH/Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network’s
Rett Syndrome Natural History Study and is involved in numerous clinical trials for patients with this neurodevelopmental disorder.

Dr. Skinner is certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics (1990) and by the American Board of Pediatrics (1985). He is a Founding Fellow of the
American College of Medical Genetics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is also a member of the American Society of Human Genetics,
the South Carolina Medical Association, the South Carolina Pediatric Society, and the Greenwood County Medical Society.

Brandon is a Certified Public Accountant and is the Senior Manager at Elliott Davis, LLC located in Charleston, SC.

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