Our People
Randal J. Kirk
Randal J. Kirk, Executive Chairman
Mr. Kirk is the Founder and current Executive Chairman of Third Security, LLC, and previously served as Chief Executive Officer from its inception until November 2020. Additionally, Mr. Kirk founded and became Chairman of the Board of New River Pharmaceuticals Inc. (previously traded on NASDAQ prior to its acquisition by Shire plc in 2007) in 1996, and was President and Chief Executive Officer between October 2001 and April 2007.
Mr. Kirk began his professional career in the private practice of law. Previously, Mr. Kirk served as a member of the Board of Directors of Scios, Inc. (previously traded on NASDAQ prior to its acquisition by Johnson & Johnson) between February 2000 and May 2002, as a member of the Board of Directors of Clinical Data, Inc. (previously traded on NASDAQ prior to its acquisition by Forest Laboratories, Inc. in April 2011) from September 2002 to April 2011, and was Chairman of the Board from December 2004 to April 2011, as a member of the Board of Directors of Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALO) from May 2007 to May 2018, and as a member of the Board of Directors of ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZIOP) from January 2011 to October 2018. Mr. Kirk has served as Executive Chairman of Precigen, Inc. (formerly Intrexon Corporation) (NASDAQ: PGEN) since January 2020. Previously, Mr. Kirk served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Precigen, Inc. from February 2008 until December 2019, and as Chief Executive Officer from April 2009 until December 2019.
Since May 2015, Mr. Kirk has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. Previously, Mr. Kirk served on the Board of Visitors of Radford University from July 2003 to June 2009, was Rector of the Board from September 2006 to September 2008, and served on the Board of Directors of the Radford University Foundation, Inc. from September 1998 to May 2011. He served on the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia and Affiliated Schools from July 2009 to October 2012, on the Virginia Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates from July 2006 to October 2012, and on the Governor's Economic Development and Jobs Creation Commission from April 2010 to October 2012.
Mr. Kirk received a B.A. in Business from Radford University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia.
Julian P. Kirk
Julian P. Kirk, Chief Executive Officer
Julian P. Kirk has been with Third Security since its inception and was appointed as its Chief Executive Officer in November 2020. Julian oversees the company's internal operations and works closely with several portfolio companies of Third Security's managed investment funds. In December 2024, Julian was appointed to the Board of Managers of GreenVenus, LLC, and in July 2025 was appointed Vice President of the company. Since July 2025, he has also served as Secretary of Oxitec Holdings, LLC, Vice President and Secretary of Oxitec UK Holdings, Inc., and as Secretary of Oxitec Panama Corp. Additionally, Julian serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Oxitec UK Holdings, Inc., Oxitec Insect Holdings Limited, Oxitec Limited, and Oxitec Panama Corp.
Julian's extensive experience includes serving on the Board of Directors of Fibrocell Science, Inc. from October 2012 until its acquisition by Castle Creek Pharmaceutical Holdings in December 2019. He also served on the board of the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance from August 2010 until June 2019.
Previously, Julian was a member of the Board of Directors of AmpliPhi Biosciences Corporation, now Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: ARMP), from June 2013 until April 2016, and IntelliMat, Inc. from October 2006 until December 2011, where he served as Co-Chairman of the Board from September 2008 until December 2011. He was President of Harvest Pharmaceuticals Inc. from December 2005 until September 2011 and Chairman of the Board of Managers of ECDS, LLC from June 2008 until March 2010.
In his earlier career, Julian served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Biological & Popular Culture, Inc., President of SFR, LLC, and Chief Operating Officer of Talkflow Systems, LLC. He also worked as Marketing Manager for General Injectables & Vaccines, Inc. from 1998 to 1999.
Julian graduated as an Echols Scholar from the University of Virginia.
Clifton R. Herndon II
Clifton “Cliff” R. Herndon II, Chief Financial Officer
Clifton R. Herndon II has been an integral part of Third Security since its inception, currently serving as the firm's Chief Financial Officer. In his role, Cliff focuses on audit, internal control, financial operations, and technical accounting issues for both Third Security and the portfolio companies of Third Security's managed investment funds.
Cliff currently serves in a number of capacities with the managed portfolio companies, including Vice President and Treasurer, as well as a Member of the Board for each of Okanagan Specialty Fruits, LLC, Okanagan Specialty Fruit, Inc., and Okanagan Produce Holdings, LLC, as Treasurer and a Member of the Board of Managers of GreenVenus, LLC and as Vice President of Corporate Administration for Oxitec UK Holdings, Inc.
Prior to joining Third Security, Cliff served as Assistant Controller and Cost Accounting Manager for Long-Airdox Company, a member of The Marmon Group, from May 1996 until November 1997. Cliff began his career with Ernst & Young LLP in July 1989, where he served as Manager in the audit practice from October 1994 to May 1996.
Cliff holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from Marshall University.
April D. Jones
April D. Jones, Vice President, Legal and Compliance
Mrs. Jones joined Third Security in 2010 and currently serves as the firm’s Chief Compliance Office. In her role, she oversees regulatory compliance, legal operations, contract lifecycle management, corporate governance, entity management and document retention.
In addition to her role as CCO, Mrs. Jones also serves as the Vice President, Corporate Administration for Okanagan Specialty Fruits, LLC, a managed portfolio company of the firm.
Prior to joining Third Security, Mrs. Jones served as the Corporate Paralegal and Executive Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer of Precigen, Inc., formerly Intrexon Corporation. Additionally, Mrs. Jones was an Associate Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Advisors and an Internal Auditor for National Bankshares, Inc.
Mrs. Jones holds a B.A. in History from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Jeffrey Perez
Jeffrey Perez, Chief Legal Officer
Jeffrey Perez serves as Chief Legal Officer of Third Security, LLC, where he provides legal, intellectual property, corporate governance, and strategic counsel across the firm and its portfolio companies. He brings deep experience at the intersection of law, biotechnology, intellectual property, corporate transactions, and investment strategy.
Before rejoining Third Security, Mr. Perez served as Senior Vice President, Intellectual Property Affairs at Precigen, Inc., formerly Intrexon Corporation, where he led intellectual property matters and supported the company’s development and commercialization strategy. Earlier in his career, he served as Managing Director and Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property at Third Security, where he evaluated potential investments for Third Security’s managed investment funds and advised portfolio companies on intellectual property strategy and general corporate matters.
Prior to Third Security, Mr. Perez practiced intellectual property law with Hunton & Williams LLP in Washington, D.C., where his work included client counseling, litigation, agreements, legal opinions, and patent procurement. He also served on the board of directors of AquaBounty Technologies Inc. until April 2020.
Mr. Perez received a B.S. from Cornell University and a J.D. from George Mason University School of Law.
Doit L. Koppler II
Doit L. Koppler II, CPA, Chief Investment Officer
Mr. Koppler leads Third Security’s investment and portfolio management functions. His responsibilities include strategic asset allocation and investment selection, due diligence, negotiation and structuring, cash planning, treasury management, income tax and estate planning. Mr. Koppler previously served as Managing Director and Treasurer having responsibility for financial management and operations. Mr. Koppler serves or has served as an officer and/or director for several portfolio companies both public and private. Prior to joining Third Security in 2001, Mr. Koppler served as Vice President and Controller of General Injectables & Vaccines, Inc. (acquired by Henry Schein, Inc.) and in public accounting with Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. Koppler received a B.S. in Accounting from Salem University (formerly Salem College).