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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Independent scientific research institute RTI International has named Bennet Waters senior vice president of growth. Waters will lead the development and execution of RTI’s integrated growth strategy across public-sector and commercial markets.
In this role, Waters will be responsible for translating the institute’s strategy, market intelligence and differentiated capabilities into sustainable growth, including strategic partnerships, alliances, joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions.
“Leading growth in today’s environment requires someone who has operated at scale, navigated complex markets and built high-performing teams,” said Michael Kaelin, RTI executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Bennet brings that experience, along with a strong understanding of RTI’s mission and capabilities. His ability to align vision, strategy and execution will help RTI identify opportunities and translate them into meaningful impact.”
Waters brings more than 25 years of experience leading growth, innovation, transformation and organizational performance across public, private, nonprofit and academic organizations. His career includes executive leadership, federal government service, strategic advisory work and experience in health care, life sciences and research commercialization.
“RTI’s multidisciplinary expertise and commitment to translating knowledge into practice create a strong foundation for growth,” said Waters. “I look forward to working with teams across the institute to strengthen our ability to anticipate and respond to changing client needs and market conditions and bring our capabilities together to pursue sustainable growth in support of RTI’s mission.”
Before joining RTI, Waters served as founder and managing principal of SixClear Advisors, as founding president and CEO of NCInnovation and in senior roles at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including counselor to the secretary and deputy secretary and chief of staff for the Office of Health Affairs. He has also held leadership positions at Labcorp, Chertoff Group, VIGILINT, LifePoint Health and Piedmont Healthcare Management Group.
Waters began his career as a clinical research associate and later served as a principal investigator. He is a co-inventor of three issued U.S. patents and has taught graduate-level leadership courses at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for more than 20 years.
He holds a Doctor of Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina, a Master of Public Health from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree from Davidson College. Waters joined RTI full time in October.
RTI International is an independent scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.
For more information, visit www.rti.org.
