William Kirkland Named SCRA’s interim President and CEO

South Carolina Research Authority’s board of trustees has named William “Bill” Kirkland as its interim president and CEO.

Mr. Kirkland has extensive experience in economic development and in the private sector in South Carolina, as well as nationwide and internationally. He most recently served as managing partner at 1818 Consulting Group, a global consulting firm that provides investor relations, government relations, business strategy, channels development, and leadership services. An accomplished entrepreneur and higher education senior leader, Mr. Kirkland also brings a wealth of knowledge, leveraging his extensive business and university experience to drive success, key to SCRA’s support of research universities and innovation and startup ecosystems.

Prior to his current leadership role at 1818 Consulting Group, Mr. Kirkland served as the executive director of the Office of Economic Engagement at the University of South Carolina. “I am excited to begin this position and continue my commitment to making South Carolina a state that people connect with innovation,” said SCRA Interim President and CEO Bill Kirkland. “We have strong ecosystems and being here at SCRA provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with all of them to achieve our mission.” Bill Kirkland’s former office at USC is responsible for fostering statewide economic growth through the increased commercialization of innovative research, connecting new and existing businesses with university resources, and creating a thriving entrepreneurial environment for students, faculty, and staff.

“Bill’s experience in serving as the primary liaison for public-university partnerships and his business innovation will help SCRA expand its support to university research and development partners and entrepreneurs,” said SCRA Trustee and MUSC President David J. Cole, M.D., FACS. “He has a great balance of academic and business leadership.”

Mr. Kirkland replaces former President and CEO Bob Quinn, who led the organization until he retired in August of this year.