Josh Carpenter, PhD, has been appointed president and CEO and Allen Bolton executive vice president for strategy and finance at Birmingham-based Southern Research.
The scientific discovery and research institution employs more than 400 scientists and engineers.
“Josh and Allen are forward-thinking leaders who are ready to chart a bold new course for the company,” said University of Alabama at Birmingham President Ray Watts, chairman of the Southern Research board of directors and interim CEO since the departure of Art Tipton in 2019. “They have the full support of the board as they begin to lead an amazing team of scientists, engineers and innovators who are working to solve problems and change the world for the better.”
Carpenter served as director of innovation and economic opportunity for the City of Birmingham before coming to Southern Research. Previously, he was director of external affairs at UAB. He holds a doctorate in political economy from the University of Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.
“I am truly honored to take the helm of Southern Research and lead this incredible team that is finding solutions to improve people’s lives around the world,” Carpenter said.
Bolton most recently served as senior vice president for finance and administration at UAB.
Founded in Birmingham in 1941, Southern Research is an independent, nonprofit scientific research organization where scientists and engineers work across three divisions: life sciences, engineering and energy & environment.
