William A. Linton
President and CEO
Promega Corporation

Bill Linton founded Promega in 1978 and has served continuously as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. A global life science research company, Promega has grown employing over 1,600 people worldwide. Today, Promega serves customers in over 100 countries, with direct sales and manufacturing branches in 16 countries. Initially supporting university researchers, Promega now serves scientists in basic research, drug discovery, forensics and clinical diagnostics. The company continues to be privately held with revenues nearly $450 million.

Collaboration and partnering continue to be cornerstones of the Promega model. In the late 1980s, Promega established, through joint venture, several of the earliest biotechnology companies in the People’s Republic of China. Promega continues to promote and support partnering in order to best serve customers and ultimately facilitate scientific discovery.

That same philosophy extends to community support, both local and global. In 1991, Promega established Woods Hollow Children’s Center (WHCC), providing infant through school-age childcare for the local community as well as Promega employees. In 1993, the BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTC Institute), a non-profit educational, scientific and cultural institute, was established. Promega has long been a financial supporter of various arts and education pursuits as well. As an employer, Promega is recognized for creating an “employee as individual” workplace, acknowledging and supporting work-life balance and nurturing personal and professional creativity and innovation.

Bill has served as director or advisor for numerous industry, government and community organizations. He currently serves as Director for the following entities: Analytical, Life Science and Diagnostics Association (ALDA—formerly ALSSA); BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute; Bruker Biosciences; Eppendorf; Heffter Research Institute and Usona Institute.

Bill received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley in 1970 and conducted post-graduate work in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He holds honorary doctorate degrees from Hannam University, Daejon, South Korea and in 2015 received an honorary doctorate of science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.