Dr. Michael Chamber, associate vice president for research and economic development at the University of South Alabama, has been promoted to chief economic development officer.
“The University of South Alabama’s role in workforce and economic development is important to the advancement of our region and state, supporting jobs for our graduates, opportunities for discovery and the Gulf coast as top-choice destination to work and live,” said Dr. Andi Kent, executive vice president and provost, adding that the naming of Chambers to chief economic development officer aligns with the work he has already been doing.
Chambers previously served as chair of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce board and as a board member on the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama Foundation, the AlabamaGermany Partnership and BioAlabama.
Chambers joined the university in 2015, and was appointed to Innovate Alabama in 2021, where he helped launch a supplemental funding program to leverage the private investment with public dollars for economic development.
Prior to joining USA, Chambers founded and served as president and CEO of Swift Biotech. He also helped found and serve as CEO of InnoRx Pharmaceuticals.
He holds a bachelors and law degree from the University of Alabama and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Geneva.