About William and Lou Kennedy

A Tale of Two South Carolinians...

It took a chance meeting at a winning South Carolina football game (over Georgia) for Bill and Lou Kennedy to meet. In early 2000, their fate was sealed; these two proud South Carolinians began a prosperous union in both business and life. Their story begins here:

Bill Kennedy, a native of South Carolina, graduated from the USC College of Pharmacy in 1966, and moved to Florida in 1967. He obtained his Florida pharmacy license that same year, and immediately began his career as a retail pharmacist for Webb's Fabulous Pharmacies in Orlando, Florida. As a pharmacist and later a regional manager for Webb's, it became apparent that the business of pharmacy was to be his passion. By 30, he managed to purchase the first of many businesses, a Rexall drug store, Thayer's Colonial Pharmacy. Bill thrived as an independent pharmacist, as he chose to stray from the era's emphasis on big box retailers. His business acumen truly began to blossom at Thayer's, and his unique style of marketing, coupled with patient care and unusual sales avenues (he actually compounded creams for several professional sports franchises out of his Orlando pharmacy) paved the way for the growth that was to follow.

As Medicare grew in the 1970s, Bill realized a need for the delivery of drugs and medical equipment directly to the homebound. Subsequently, a new role in the industry was identified, as that of a mail order pharmacist. In an effort to meet the needs of homebound Floridians, Bill expanded his Thayer's Colonial Pharmacy into a statewide chain focusing on those needs. Later in the 1980s, with underserved rural communities as his focal point, the company expanded across the US.

The next evolution, RoTech Medical Corporation, was formed to become a publicly traded company in 1985. During the explosive growth of the late 1980s and early 1990s, RoTech added over 700 locations throughout the US, serving hundreds of thousands of Americans. By 1997, RoTech was sold for approximately a billion dollars. RoTec's success was a clear example of innovative business principles, working in tandem with the practice of pharmacy.

With the triumph of RoTech, the 1990s ushered in a new opportunity for Bill. His dream of becoming a pharmaceutical manufacturer was realized. He purchased a small company named Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp. By 1997, it was validated as an approved FDA manufacturing facility. Nephron currently produces generic respiratory medications. With a capacity of over 100 million doses monthly, it is able to serve patients throughout the US and the world. Nephron utilizes blow fill seal technology (Nephron is proud to be only one of four such facilities in the US); employs over 550 individuals, and its products are made available in every pharmacy and hospital. As a result of Bill's 40 + years in healthcare, he was invited twice during these years to testify as an expert witness on Capitol Hill.

A key ingredient of Nephron's success is Mrs. Lou Kennedy. She is also a graduate of the USC Class of 1984, BA Journalism. Beginning in late 2001, Lou set out to recruit, develop, and train a national sales force to market Nephron's products to hospitals. Over the next six years the sales and marketing efforts were grown to encompass a broader customer base.

Never shying away from a challenge, this "dynamic duo" simultaneously carved out time to create and sell another pharmacy business while they championed Nephron's achievements. Home Oxygen 2 U was created to offer respiratory equipment and medications to patients in their homes. As a unique innovation, they used technology such as TV advertising and telemarketing to reach consumers, rather than a traditional marketing sales force. Home Oxygen 2 U was sold in less than two years and was accompanied by a $60-million-dollar price tag.

By 2007, Bill transitioned into the role of strategic consultant, and Lou took the reins as President and CEO. During these years Nephron's sales have grown over 300 percent, and the company has undergone a multi-million dollar expansion. As such, Nephron is well positioned to compete against other large generic pharma competitors such as Mylan and Watson Pharmaceuticals.

Recently, during a conversation with University President, Harris Pastides, and Joe DiPiro, Executive Dean of the South Carolina College of Pharmacy, our desire to promote our alma mater was discussed. A donation to support the SCCP was suggested. It was our aspiration to incorporate our two areas of expertise, a blending of science and business, as we envisioned a curriculum that would embody both these fields of study. The ability to educate students on how they might succeed in many different areas of pharmacy practice became our focus. From this, The Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center was conceived. It will be the first of its kind to foster collaboration in an interdisciplinary setting, and we fully anticipate the final goal for this project to be the naming of the SCCP as the number one ranked College of Pharmacy in the nation!