AdvantageWest CEO Receives Leadership Award
By Jeremy Summers, NCBiotech Writer
The focus of this year’s Science in the Mountains conference is on multidisciplinary collaboration, or how different groups or organizations can work together to accomplish a larger goal.
The conference made for a fitting setting for Scott Hamilton, President & CEO of AdvantageWest, to be lauded for his contribution to North Carolina science and economic development.
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Hamilton was presented with the Leadership in Science and Entrepreneurism award by Jack Britt, Ph.D., interim director of the Western office of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.
In his career in economic development, Hamilton has helped grow the economy of Western North Carolina, turning the region into a hotbed of activity and job creation in numerous industries. Most recently, Hamilton has been instrumental in transforming Asheville into “Beer City USA.” "When we talk about Beer City for Asheville and all the work going on in fermentation...much of that is due to Scott and his hard work," said Britt.
Hamilton’s efforts attracted Sierra Nevada, the country’s 2nd largest craft brewery, to build a facility in the western part of the state. The brewery is building a 300,000 barrel capacity brewery in Mills River, just south of Asheville. Sierra Nevada’s new facility, which will be operational by 2014, is expected to create 95 jobs and represents a $97.5 million investment into Asheville’s economy. Hamilton's success with attracting Sierra Nevada to Asheville have helped cement the region’s reputation for craft beer production and fermentation sciences.
Prior to his time at AdvantageWest, Hamilton served as founding President and CEO of the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development and held several positions in the Caldwell County Economic Development Commission. Hamilton is also a former president of the NC Economic Developers Associations and since 2001, has served as a gubernatorial appointee on the Governor’s Commission on Workforce Development.