Clemson University announces new economic development team

CLEMSON, SC – May 3, 2011 – Clemson University has named a new team to spearhead its economic development efforts under the leadership of Vice President John Kelly.

The move links Clemson’s historic programs dedicated to one of the state’s largest industries — agribusiness — with more recent initiatives that support other economic clusters ranging from automotives to energy systems. No new positions were created; instead current administrators are assuming additional duties.

“John Kelly has proven skills as a leader in both agribusiness and economic development,” said Clemson President James F. Barker. “He has led research, extension and regulatory programs since 1996 as vice president for public service and agriculture, and now is leading several economic development initiatives, including development of the Clemson University Restoration Institute in North Charleston.

“In both capacities he works with public and private partners to create jobs in South Carolina in keeping with Clemson University’s teaching, research and outreach missions,” Barker said.

Agribusiness — agriculture, forestry and natural resources — is one of the state’s largest economic sectors, generating $34 billion in annual sales. Clemson research, extension and regulatory programs support the industry by identifying critical issues, finding solutions and transferring that knowledge to farmers and land managers.

Clemson follows the land-grant university model of using research and outreach to launch innovation campuses across the state that support major economic sectors, such as automotive, advanced materials, biotechnology and wind energy.

As vice president for economic development, Kelly will continue to serve as one of Clemson University’s three mission vice presidents. He will continue to guide Clemson’s research, extension and regulatory programs for agriculture, forestry and natural resources. He will combine those efforts with leadership of Clemson’s major economic development projects at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) and the Patewood biomedical program in Greenville, the Restoration Institute in North Charleston, the Innovation Campus in Anderson and the Greenwood Genetic Center. He also will lead university efforts to identify new economic development programs and build new industry and corporate partnerships.

Kelly has organized a management team to ensure seamless integration of all areas under his leadership.

“The combined team will promote public-private partnerships that capitalize on the university’s expertise as a land-grant institution,” Kelly said. “It will build on Clemson’s established research and education programs in agriculture, forestry, natural resources, life sciences and engineering.”

George Askew will be responsible for the daily management of Clemson’s Experiment Station, Extension Service, Regulatory Services and Livestock and Poultry Health as the associate vice president for public service and agriculture (PSA). He also will continue to serve as director of the Experiment Station. The PSA leadership team will continue with Steve Meadows as interim director for the Extension Service, Neil Ogg as director of Regulatory Services and Boyd Parr as State Veterinarian and interim director of the Livestock and Poultry Health program.

Bob Geolas, associate vice president for economic development, will assume responsibility for managing corporate partnerships at all Clemson’s off-campus research sites while continuing as partnership director at CU-ICAR. Karl Kelly will serve as director of commercialization and technology incubation to foster the creation of new companies based on research at the various sites in addition to his existing economic development responsibilities.

Bob Becker will serve as director of economic policy and strategy to develop methods that allow the research sites to achieve financial self-sufficiency. Becker will step down as director of the Strom Thurmond Institute of Government and Public Affairs; Jeff Allen will become interim director of the institute in addition to his responsibility as director of the S.C. Water Resources Center.
 
These new efforts are being achieved without an increase in personnel by reassigning and refining duties that foster a team approach to improving economic development in the state’s current major industries and fostering opportunities to create new industries.