Company: SCRA, Charleston, SC
Company Description: SCRA is a global leader in applied research and commercialization services with its headquarters in South Carolina. SCRA collaborates to advance technology, providing knowledge-based solutions with assured outcomes to industry and government, with the help of research universities in SC, the US and around the world.
Nomination Category: Management Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Executive of the Year - Non-Profit or Government Organizations

Nomination Title: Bill Mahoney, CEO

Tell the story about what this nominee achieved since January 1 2011 (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

Since joining SCRA as its CEO in 2005, Bill Mahoney has provided vision and strategic leadership to the company. In the past year, he has led the company to remarkable growth through a reintegration of programs and through a re-branding initiative. Perhaps most importantly, Mahoney has helped build a “Knowledge Economy” in a state that has lagged behind others in resources, intellectual property, and capital funds. Named as one of The Greater Columbia Business Monthly’s "50 Most Influential," Mahoney’s leadership has led SCRA, and its contributions to South Carolina’s Knowledge Economy, to impressive achievements during 2011.

Not only did Mahoney’s leadership increase growth for the company in 2011 with record revenues of $195M, up 13 percent from the prior Fiscal Year, but it was during this rapid growth that the company was also recognized by the SC Chamber as one of the “Best Places to Work in South Carolina.”

SCRA is an applied research and commercialization services non-profit with operations across SC and in Washington, DC. The company, started by the SC Legislature under a public charter in 1983, was created to help develop technology-based industries in the state. In recent years, the state issued several legislative mandates for SCRA to fulfill. In 2011, Mahoney announced that all of these legislative mandates were completed. These mandates included establishment of SCRA’s SC Launch program and construction of Innovation Centers in locations across the state.

SC Launch develops South Carolina’s Knowledge Economy through support of high-tech start-up companies in the state. Since its inception under Mahoney’s leadership in 2006, and founded with $12M from SCRA, the program has provided early stage funding and commercialization support to 251 enterprises and matched 36 federal SBIR Phase I awards. In 2011, it was announced that these activities have helped position the top 51 SC Launch companies to secure more than $167M in follow-on funding from angel, venture and other private capital sources.

Mahoney’s leadership not only provided the formation of this program, but his guidance has developed an award winning program that, despite a difficult economy, has enabled these emerging companies to secure impressive funds for growth.

Through the development of SCRA Innovation Centers, there are now high technology facilities available to support innovation companies across the state. This has led to not only technology commercialization, but high quality jobs in a state that has had among the highest unemployment rates nationally in recent years.

Under Mahoney’s leadership, SCRA leads the development of South Carolina's technology-based economy with annual contributions of over $1.4B throughout Fiscal Year 2011, according to an economic impact study completed by the University of South Carolina's Moore School of Business.

In 2011, Mahoney’s leadership has been proven through a viable Knowledge Economy where SCRA supports over 15,000 technology jobs. Mahoney’s leadership has not only strengthened the financial position of SCRA, but has led SCRA to truly impact the lives of South Carolinians.

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Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the nominee:

Bill Mahoney has served as CEO of SCRA since 2005. Mahoney provides leadership, vision and strategic execution at SCRA by directing all aspects of operations, research, communications, and recommendations for the company. He is an experienced executive with over 30 years in the technology sector and serves on several boards from the Ronald McDonald House in Columbia, SC to the National Energy Marketers’ Association. Mahoney is a strong leader and representative for the company that brings a dynamic, entrepreneurial spirit that is seasoned, savvy and optimistic. Mahoney is a graduate of Harvard University.