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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Tim J. Gabel, president and CEO of RTI International, an independent scientific research institute, received the 2026 Jim Fain NC Global Ambassador Award on Nov. 5 during the NC Global Advantage Forum.
Presented annually by the NC Coalition for Global Competitiveness and Global NC, the award recognizes North Carolinians whose leadership, vision and service strengthen the state’s connections with communities and partners around the world.
With an introduction from North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, Gabel was recognized for bringing together people, ideas and organizations to advance North Carolina’s global engagement. RTI has supported the coalition’s work for a decade, helping leaders from business, education, government and nonprofit organizations explore opportunities to strengthen the state’s global competitiveness.
“The Jim Fain NC Global Ambassador Award is a perfect living legacy for Tim,” said Secretary Marshall. “This award honors individuals who go above and beyond to break through boundaries and build bridges through global engagement, inclusive innovation and shared leadership. This year’s recipient truly exemplifies what this award is all about.”
Gabel accepted the award on behalf of RTI employees and the generations of staff members whose work has contributed to the institute’s global impact.
“This is a huge honor for me,” said Gabel. “I may be the recipient, but it belongs to the extraordinary people of RTI and the work they do to bring our mission to life. I have the privilege of leading this organization, but the impact is because of them.”
RTI was established in 1958 as the anchor tenant of Research Triangle Park through a partnership involving North Carolina’s universities, business community and state government. Today, RTI employees work with partners in multiple countries to improve public health, expand educational opportunity, strengthen economies, protect the environment and create science-based solutions to complex challenges.
Under Gabel’s leadership, RTI achieved its North Star goal of positively impacting the well-being of one billion people through science-based solutions five years ahead of schedule and established a new ambition to improve the lives of billions.
Named for former North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Jim Fain, who founded the NC Coalition for Global Competitiveness in 2013, the award celebrates people who build bridges across borders and sectors. Previous recipients include North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, former U.S. Rep. David Price and Maj. Gen. Todd Hunt.
Recipients of the Jim Fain NC Global Ambassador Award represent the many ways North Carolinians contribute to the state’s global connections. Their leadership shows how collaboration across business, government, education and communities can strengthen the economy, expand educational and cultural opportunities and help North Carolina thrive in an interconnected world.
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.
