SCRA names Bill Kirkland interim president and CEO

South Carolina Research Authority‘s board of trustees has named William “Bill” Kirkland as its interim president and CEO as it searches for a permanent replacement for Bob Quinn, who retired after leading the organization since 2016.

Kirkland has extensive experience in economic development and in the private sector in South Carolina, as well as nationwide and internationally, according to an SCRA news release. He most recently served as managing partner at 1818 Consulting Group, a global consulting firm that provides investor relations, government relations, business strategy, channel development and leadership services.

An entrepreneur and higher education senior leader, Kirkland plans to leverage his extensive business and university experience to drive success — key to SCRA’s support of research universities and innovation and startup ecosystems, the release stated.

Prior to his role at 1818 Consulting Group, 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,” Kirkland said in the release. “We have strong ecosystems, and being here at SCRA provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with all of them to achieve our mission.”

Kirkland’s salary was not revealed in the news release.

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, in the release. “He has a great balance of academic and business leadership.”

SCRA was chartered by the state to fuel the South Carolina innovation economy.

This story will be updated.