Leadership

Secretary Joe E. Taylor, Jr.

Joe Taylor is a life-long resident of South Carolina. He started learning about business by going to work with his dad on Saturdays when still in kindergarten. While a student at Wofford College, he helped his late father start Southland Log Homes. At age 25, he became president and CEO and eventually built the company into the largest producer of pre-cut log buildings in North America.

After selling the company in 2005, Joe retired and concentrated on real estate development and investing in start-up companies. Joe has served on many boards of charitable and educational organizations. He is currently on the Board of Trustees at Wofford College.

Joe has been involved in economic development for several years. He was appointed by Governor Sanford to chair the South Carolina Jobs Economic Development Authority in 2003. In 2006, Governor Sanford asked him to become the state’s first full time Secretary of Commerce. He was confirmed by the Senate in March of that year.

David L. Logsdon, Chief Operating Officer

David L. Logsdon joined the South Carolina Department of Commerce as the Chief Operating Officer in August of 2007. Dave served in the United States Navy for 30 years where he held numerous key leadership positions. His strong management background ideally suits him to oversee the day-to-day operations of the state’s lead agency for business and industry development.

During Dave's impressive military career, he commanded an award-winning carrier based aviation squadron and two ships, including the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, which he led during her maiden combat deployment. Dave also served twice at the Pentagon working on the Navy Staff and for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His final command assignment was in Columbia, South Carolina where he served as the Commanding Officer and Professor of Naval Science at the University of South Carolina’s Naval ROTC unit.

Dave is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, the Naval War College and the Navy’s Nuclear Power School. He has earned numerous awards including three Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star and The Truman Foundation Leadership Award. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Celebrate Freedom Foundation and the University of South Carolina Naval ROTC Alumni Association.