Russell Meekins was named executive director of the USC educational and development foundations on Wednesday, succeeding Jerry Odom who is retiring at year’s end.

Odom has led the foundations for the past six years after serving as provost and a tenured chemistry professor during a 43-year career at the school.

Meekins started working with the foundations in 1995 and has been chief financial officer since 1997.

Meekins earned finance and accounting degrees from USC and worked at Arthur Young and Co., Carter-Miot Engineering Inc. and The Computer Group Inc.

“Russ is a man of integrity,” said C. John Wentzell, chair of the USC Educational Foundation. “He has developed a professional accounting staff, which has implemented and operated a quality accounting system.”

James Cantey Jr., chair emeritus of the USC Development Foundation, said Meekins played roles in the development of the Inn at USC, the Children’s Center at USC and the Carolina baseball stadium.

Read more about this story tomorrow in The State.