The North Carolina Biotechnology Center has named William O. Bullock senior vice president, economic development & statewide operations.
Bullock, formerly vice president of bioscience industrial development for NCBiotech, reports to Doug Edgeton, president and CEO. He succeeds Michael Wilkins in the senior vice president role, following Wilkins’ retirement.
Bullock continues to oversee the Biotech Center’s activities and partnerships targeting life science company attraction and expansion for North Carolina, while also now supporting the organization’s targeted agricultural biotechnology efforts. He also manages NCBiotech’s corporate communications group and its regional offices in Asheville, Charlotte, Greenville, Wilmington and Winston-Salem.
Since 2008, Bullock has led NCBiotech’s involvement in partnerships that have successfully recruited 25 corporate projects representing more than 1,750 jobs, $1 billion in investment, and $2 billion in annual economic impact in the life sciences statewide. He is also a key member of the Center’s team that oversees international activities and programs.
“Bill Bullock is a very solid businessman who also happens to be a well-trained bench scientist,” said Edgeton. “That makes him invaluable when talking with companies about their science, and in determining how we translate that into business opportunities for North Carolina. He’s known and respected throughout the United States and abroad as a consummate professional in the highly competitive world of life science company recruitment and expansion.
“His many accomplishments on behalf of North Carolina’s citizens have contributed significantly to our state’s leadership in life science job growth. He’s a great team player, and we’re truly fortunate to have him among the leaders of our successful team.”
Before joining the Biotech Center, Bullock served as international business development manager for biotechnology within the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
He had also been vice president of the Research Triangle Park biotechnology consulting firm BioAbility, where he directed numerous studies and client consulting projects in North America and abroad. Bullock has also done business consulting for global pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, and spent six years in research, development and marketing at Stratagene Cloning Systems in San Diego.
A native of California, Bullock has written and presented extensively on a variety of topics related to commercial biotechnology, including economic development, business strategy, market research, regulation, emerging technologies, workforce development, strategic alliances, and more.
He received his undergraduate degree in cell biology and biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego and his MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
NCBiotech accelerates life science technology-based economic development through innovation, commercialization, education, and business growth.
