USC expands economic development efforts in Upstate

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The University of South Carolina plans to expand its economic development activity in the Upstate with the addition of Sam English to the Office of Innovation, Partnerships and Economic Engagement. English will lead the university's innovation, commercialization and economic development initiatives in the region. 

“We are excited to expand our team with the addition of Sam to the Upstate,” Chad Hardaway, deputy director of the office, said in a news release. “With his expertise and experience in commercializing biomedical and health care technologies, we will be able to accelerate our innovation partnership with Prisma Health System.”  

A native of South Carolina, English spent much of his career in Roanoke, Va., where he worked with universities, health care systems, and businesses and community leaders to head innovation and commercialization programs across the state, the release said.  

“Given the university’s increasing presence in the Upstate, we are strengthening our commitment to the region and look forward to Sam helping to leverage university resources and assets to grow the innovation ecosystem,” Bill Kirkland, director of the Office of Innovation, Partnerships and Economic Engagements, said in the release.

The office was designed to be a single convergence point for businesses, researchers, entrepreneurs, students and government officials looking to engage with USC.

“We’re excited to welcome Sam English to the Upstate and look forward to working with U of SC as an additional university partner for economic development, bringing commercialization capabilities and biomedical and healthcare expertise,” John Lummus, CEO and president of Upstate SC Alliance, said in a statement. “This is yet another sign that our innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem is maturing, and we look forward to seeing this program grow in the region.”