Randall Johnson Email & Phone Number

Randall Johnson has extensive experience in regional and statewide economic development, with a focus on entrepreneurship, existing industry expansion, talent/workforce development, and knowledge sector development. Prior to joining the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Johnson's activities included economic and community development work for Wilmington, including catalyzing the biotechnology community. Johnson has started and operated his own business, conducted scientific research for Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, and taught entrepreneurial skills to budding start-up company leaders.Building Community CapacityJohnson works to connect the regional and statewide biotechnology economic development community in an effort to build community capacity and to harness the wealth of natural marine, agricultural, biorenewable, and bioenergy assets in the southeastern region for biotechnology-focused economic development.Johnson speaks to a variety of audiences about biotechnology and economic development. He serves in leadership positions on the regional and state boards of business, civic and arts-related organizations, including the NC Economic Developers Association (NCEDA) Foundation (Founding Chair and President), NC Community Colleges Foundation (Treasurer), and has served in leadership positions for NCEDA (Past President), NC Sustainable Energy Association (Treasurer), Southeastern Economic Development Commission (Chair), and the Advisory Committee for Biotechnology in Southeastern North Carolina, a collection of key partners for biotechnology development in the region, which he helped found.His work with statewide partners led to the creation of the NC BIONEER Venture Challenge, NC’s Marine Bio-Technologies Center of Innovation, and the NC Coast Clinical Research Initiative. As the founding executive director of the NC Biotechnology Center Southeastern Office, Johnson partners with a diverse collection of people, companies, and organizations to identify and strengthen the region’s capabilities for biotechnology development. Specialties: Entrepreneurial Development, Economic Development, Creative Sector Development, Marine Biotechnology, Agricultural Biotechnology, Clinical Research, Industrial Biotechnology, Biorenewables, Biofuels/Bioenergy, Board Development and Leadership.

Listed skills include Entrepreneurship, Start Ups, Biotechnology, Leadership, and 18 others.