Norris Tolson will head N.C. Biotech Center

He has ‘a rare combination of public and private sector experience’

LAURA ASHLEY LAMM

Edgecombe County native Norris Tolson will step down from his position as the state Secretary of Revenue on Friday to begin leading the North Carolina Biotechnology Center at Research Triangle Park.

Tolson was named president and CEO of the center by its board of directors on Tuesday.

Tolson, 67, who has served as secretary of three state cabinet departments, had been the center’s interim leader since January.

He has served on the Biotechnology Center’s board of directors since 2000, as a member of the executive committee since 2001 and as vice chair since 2005. He was one of five co-conveners steering development of North Carolina’s Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership.

“Norris Tolson is a seasoned leader who is well-respected across North Carolina,” said Sue Cole, chairwoman of the board.  “He brings the attributes needed to elevate biotechnology across the state:  leadership, strategy and a rare combination of public and private sector experience.”

Tolson was appointed by Gov. Mike Easley to the post of Secretary of Revenue in March 2001. Prior to serving in this role, he served as Secretary of Transportation in 1998 and from 1997-98 he served as the Secretary of Commerce, all under the administration of Gov. Jim Hunt.

“I’ve been blessed with rich and varied work experience,” Tolson said. “I regard leadership of the biotechnology center as a significant opportunity, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

"As head of the Department of Revenue, Secretary Tolson has been a key and trusted member of my cabinet, and I appreciate his dedication to our state,” Easley said.

“His managerial and organizational talent raised levels of service to our citizens and dramatically increased collections. The biotechnology center plays a critical role in North Carolina's economy and having Norris at the helm will keep the state a national leader in the growing biotech industry."

Tolson said biotechnology is important to North Carolina’s economic future.

“In its first 20 years, the biotechnology center has assisted North Carolina’s movement to leadership and jobs," he said.

"Moving the center and the state to the next 20 years of biotechnology expansion requires imaginative strategies and unwavering commitment. No other industry offers as much opportunity for the future of North Carolina as biotechnology.”

Tolson said in a speech at Edgecombe Community College in January that North Carolina was third in the nation for landing large biotechnology companies.

"There are new biotechnology training capability facilities at North Carolina State and North Carolina Central universities. In 10 years biotechnology will generate 140,000 new jobs paying $40,000 to $50,000 a year," he said.

Tolson's political experience began when he served in the North Carolina House of Representatives representing District 23 from 1994-97. A position his brother, Joe, has been holding since he left.

Before representing District 23, Tolson worked at DuPont from 1965 until his retirement in 1993. He graduated from N.C. State University in 1962 with a bachelor's degree in crop science and agribusiness. He served in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps from 1963-65.

Charles Hamner, president of the biotechnology center from 1988-2002, said, “It’s hard to imagine a better choice for North Carolina and for biotechnology.  I’m pleased and impressed.”

Tolson assumes his new role when biotechnology in North Carolina is increasingly growing and thriving.

The N.C. Biotechnology Center reported that Ernst & Young ranked North Carolina third for the fourth straight year in number of biotechnology companies. The General Assembly has already invested millions in building research, biomanufacturing, workforce training and institutional capabilities. 

Statewide offices of the biotechnology center are expanding opportunities in the fields of biofuels, marine biotechnology, nano biotechnology and natural biotechnology.

The N.C. Biotechnology Center was established by the General Assembly in 1984 as the world's first targeted initiative for biotechnology development. It is a private, non-profit organization that continues to be supported by the General Assembly.

The center's mission is to "provide long-term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina by supporting biotechnology research, business and education statewide."

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