Pastides taps Don Herriott to be director of Innovista Partnerships
January 28, 2010
COLUMBIA, SC – January 28, 2010 – University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides has appointed Don Herriott to be the director of Innovista Partnerships. The appointment is effective Feb. 1.
Pastides said Herriott’s experience in business and leadership and his reputation as a strategic thinker make him an ideal choice for the position.
Don’s proven business acumen and his considerable private-sector leadership experience make him an ideal choice to carry Innovista to its next stage of development, Pastides said. Moreover, he fully understands both the unique character and the vital importance of Innovista to this city and region.
Herriott, who retired as head of Roche Global Chemical Manufacturing in November, said his responsibilities will include working with university, community and business leaders to advance the strategic plan for Innovista, the university’s innovative research district.
Herriott said his strengths are creating partnerships and developing focus and that he is eager to lead the team that will accelerate the development of the vision for Innovista.
Innovista is far more than just buildings, Herriott said. It represents a new way of thinking and a vision where people live, work, and play. By involving leaders and entrepreneurs across the community, we can build partnerships that will develop and commercialize intellectual property and drive economic development in the Midlands and the region.
Herriott began his career in the banking industry in San Francisco. In 1981, he joined SYNTEX, an international pharmaceutical company, where he held key management positions in information technology, manufacturing, engineering, global telecommunications and corporate logistics at Palo Alto, Calif., and Boulder, Colo.
After SYNTEX was acquired by Roche in 1994, Herriott took positions with that corporation, eventually becoming international project director for global projects in Europe, North America and the Caribbean Islands.
He came to Florence in 1996 as president and CEO of Roche Carolina. In 2004, he was named head of Roche Global Chemical Manufacturing, responsible for the operations at its pharmaceutical manufacturing sites in South Carolina, Colorado, Switzerland, Ireland, Mexico, Austria and Germany.
As one of the state’s top business leaders, Herriott serves on the boards of numerous organizations, including the South Carolina Board of Economic Advisors, the Palmetto Institute and New Carolina (S.C. Council on Competitiveness) and the Medical University of South Carolina’s Hollings Cancer Center. He is past chair of the S.C. Chamber of Commerce.
Highly respected for his work in business and education, Herriott was founding chair of the School Foundation in Florence and also chaired the Governor’s Task Force on Education and Workforce Development, which led to the passage of the 2005 Education and Economic Development Act.
He has earned numerous awards and honors. He was awarded the South Carolina Business Leader of the Year Award from the S.C. Chamber of Commerce, the South Carolina Ambassador for Economic Development Award by Governor Sanford, the Ashpy Lawrimore Community Service Award and the Charles Townes Award for Support of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education from the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics.
He was recognized by the South Carolina Research Authority as a knowledge economist and was honorary chairperson for the UNCF Gala by the Pee Dee Chapter of the United Negro College Fund.
Herriott earned a bachelor’s degree in physics with honors and distinction from Sonoma State University of California and was named a distinguished alumnus in 2003.
