James Chappell leads SCbio with a unique blend of scientific expertise and competitive drive. With undergraduate and graduate degrees from Clemson University, a Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, and postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School, Chappell has become a driving force in South Carolina’s expanding life sciences sector.

Before his scientific career, Chappell was a three-year letterman wide receiver at Clemson University. His first job as a cart attendant at Coldstream Golf Course in Irmo taught him essential skills in customer service and reading people’s needs—lessons that inform his leadership approach today.

Chappell serves on multiple boards, including the Zucker Institute for Innovation Commercialization at MUSC and the SCbio Foundation, and serves as an advisory board member for the SC Manufacturing Conference. His influence was recognized through inclusion on the SCBiz 50 Most Influential list in 2023.

“When competing or striving for excellence, don’t gauge your success solely against your immediate peers,” Chappell said. “You’re up against talent from around the globe—expand your vision and refuse to think small.”

Padraic (Paddy) O’Brien leads Zeus, a materials innovation company with 2,300 employees worldwide. O’Brien earned a Bachelor of Science from Santa Clara University and began his career as a line operator at a friction material company, where he worked on components for vehicle braking systems.

Under O’Brien’s leadership, Zeus has recently expanded its executive team, appointing Tim Sette as chief financial officer, Krish Mani as chief information officer and Jim O’Connell as chief commercial officer. The company also launched next-generation film-cast PTFE liners engineered for flexibility and superior strength.

O’Brien defines success as creating lasting value for customers, team members and communities. “Success is creating lasting value — for our customers, our team members, and our communities,” O’Brien said. “It’s not just about financial performance; it’s about building a company that people are proud to be part of.”

O’Brien initially planned to become an orthodontist and took the Dental Admission Test before shadowing his uncle, a family dentist, and ultimately choosing a different career path.

Scott Pancoast founded and leads Zylö Therapeutics as chief executive officer, navigating the challenge of securing capital for startups as venture funding increasingly flows toward artificial intelligence and later-stage companies.

A University of Virginia graduate with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Pancoast earned his master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University. Under his leadership, BosleyMD launched Revive+ hair-growth products featuring Zylö’s patented Z-pod sustained-release technology in 2023.

“Don’t make decisions based on fear,” he says, emphasizing the importance of maintaining credibility at all costs.

His first job at age 17 running a Mr. Softee Ice Cream Truck 11 hours daily taught him the power of commission-based compensation systems and small business operations.

Pancoast serves on SCbio’s board and chairs boards for multiple companies he co-founded, including Atticus Pharma, Finch Pharma and XXIV Inc., which launched its anti-aging skincare line in August 2025.

An All-American wrestler in high school, Pancoast still performs card tricks for willing audiences.

He defines success through Dale Carnegie’s wisdom: getting what you want while finding happiness in what you have.

Joe Renwick leads Green Energy Biofuel LLC, a multi-state waste-to-resource company that began in his garage and now employs more than 40 people. Renwick earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Citadel.

Under his leadership, the Warrenville company completed major facility upgrades in 2024, installing new processing equipment and expanded centrifuge capacity to handle heavier industrial waste streams. The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance named Green Energy Biofuel Innovator of the Year in 2025. Previous recognition includes the Carolina Recycling Association’s Annual Recycling Award and Recycler of the Year in 2022.

Renwick’s first venture was R&R Landscaping Services, which he built and sold at 18. He serves as a guest speaker for the Rotary Club of Aiken on renewable energy topics and presented at the WETT Show on waste processing innovations. He is scheduled to speak at the 2026 event.

“The best advice I’ve ever received is to stay focused on your mission and surround yourself with people who believe in it just as much as you do,” Renwick said.

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