Clemson alum to head SCBIO
SCBIO, South Carolina’s economic development organization focused on building, innovating and growing the life sciences industry, announced Nov. 4 that its board of directors has chosen James Chappell, an executive with Louisiana Economic Development, as its new president and chief executive officer beginning Nov. 8.
“As a South Carolina native, I am thrilled to join SCBIO and return home,” said Chappell. “South Carolina has become an emerging leader in life sciences and I am excited to continue SCBIO’s great work in helping to grow the life sciences industry.”
Chappell previously served with Chartic Management Consulting in Boston and executive director of state economic competitiveness and executive director of competitiveness and entrepreneurship with Louisiana Economic Development (LED).
During Chappell’s tenure with LED, his successes include:
- Designing and implementing the state’s $100 million venture capital and small business funds
- Developing strategies to recruit globally-recognized companies to the state
- Joining the Louisiana MediFund board to develop strategies to increase the biosciences and health care industries in Louisiana
While working with LED, he also collaborated with bioscience and technology advocates to improve incentives to promote growth in the bioscience and technology industries.
Chappell earned his bachelor’s and master of science 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.