State recognizes leaders as part of 2015 Industry Appreciation Week
COLUMBIA, S.C. –As part of the annual Industry Appreciation Week, the South Carolina Department of Commerce on Thursday announced the 2015 Ambassadors for Economic Development. Recognized for their exceptional efforts to bolster community and economic development activities in South Carolina, the ambassadors were honored in a ceremony held on Thursday, April 2 at the Governor’s Mansion Complex. This year, 48 individuals from 46 counties were selected.
“We’re honored to spotlight these 48 individuals for their contributions to our state. South Carolina’s people are what truly make our state one of the best places in the world to do business, and events like yesterday’s ceremony give us the opportunity to recognize just some of the people that help make South Carolina so special,” said. Gov. Nikki Haley.
Each year the Department of Commerce joins local communities to thank businesses for their vital contributions to South Carolina’s economy during the state’s Industry Appreciation Week. As part of the celebration, the state recognizes individuals throughout South Carolina as Ambassadors for Economic Development. These individuals include local leaders from the private sector, representing a variety of businesses committed to advancing their communities.
“The success that we’re having in economic development in South Carolina can largely be attributed to our team-first approach. These ambassadors truly reflect the enthusiasm and commitment that makes Team South Carolina so successful, and we’re thrilled to recognize them for all they’ve done to advance their respective companies and communities,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.
In addition to honoring the 2015 Ambassadors for Economic Development at last night’s ceremony, the state also recognized five students as Young Entrepreneurs of the Year. The students, which consisted of one 2nd grader and four 11th and 12th graders, were acknowledged for their unique entrepreneurial ventures. Among their ventures were a graphics design operation, baked goods business, art gallery and museum, hair accessory venture and agribusiness company.
For photos of all ambassadors and young entrepreneurs that were recognized during Thursday’s ceremony, please visit the S.C. Department of Commerce’s flickr page.
2015 Ambassadors for Economic Development:
County
Name
Title
Organization
Abbeville
General Manager
Pro Towels
Aiken
Managing Principal
Peachtree Investment Solutions
Allendale
Owner
Connelly Farms
Anderson
Retired Educator
Retired
Bamberg
Retired Educator
Retired
Barnwell
Sr. Vice President (Retired)
Regions Bank
Beaufort
President
Greenline Industries
Berkeley
Vice President
Nucor Steel Berkeley
Calhoun
President
Stier Supply Company
Charleston
Owner
CMMC, LLC
Charleston
Owner
CMMC, LLC
Cherokee
President
Associated Hardwoods SC, Inc.
Chester
Manager
Duke Energy
Chesterfield
President/Owner
Screwmatics of SC, Inc.
Clarendon
Chairman & CEO
Kent Industries
Colleton
Senior Advisor
Crescent Dairy & Beverages
Darlington
Pee Dee Market VP
Wells Fargo Bank
Dillon
Director of Business Development
Wyman-Gordan
Dorchester
Chairman and Managing Director
COMACT USA
Edgefield
President
Carolina Covertech
Fairfield
President and General Manager
BOMAG Americas
Florence
Community Development Officer
First Reliance Bank
Georgetown
Owner
Winyah Properties
Greenville
Site Director
Lockheed Martin
Greenwood
Owner
JRM Solutions, LLC
Hampton
Owner/CEO
Progressive Packaging
Hampton
Owner/CEO
Progressive Packaging
Horry
Coastal Carolina Consultants
Jasper
Chief Executive Officer
Coastal Carolina Hospital
Kershaw
President and CEO
Hengst of North America, Inc.
Lancaster
Branch Manager
Phillips Staffing
Laurens
Managing Agent
The United Agency
Lee
Retired
City of Bishopville Planning Comm.
Lexington
President and CEO
Blanchard Machinery Company
Marion
Relationship Manager
ArborOne Farm Credit
Marlboro
CEO
Bennettsville Printing, LLC
McCormick
Operations Manager
Rivers Edge Forest Products, LLC
Newberry
Owner/President
Metal Masters, Inc.
Oconee
Plant Manager
US Engine Valve
Orangeburg
General Manager
GKN South Carolina
Pickens
President
Cornell Dubilier Electronics, Inc.
Richland
President and Chief Executive Officer
The Ritedose Corporation
Saluda
Farm Manager
Titan Farms
Spartanburg
President & CEO
AFL Global
Sumter
President
EMS-Chemie (North America) Inc.
Union
Chief Operating Officer
Lockhart Power Company
Wlliamsburg
Site Director
DSM Nutritional Products
York
President
Carolina Ingredients
Young Entrepreneurs of the Year:
School District
Name, Grade
School
Business Venture
Beaufort County School District
Trevon Bridges, 11th Grade
Beaufort High School
Graphics by Trevon
Horry County Schools
Terence Brister, 12th Grade
Carolina Forest High School
Brister Baking & Associates
Private
Will Cobb, 12th Grade
Spartanburg Day School
The Other Side of the River Gallery
District 5 of Lexington and Richland Counties
Gabrielle Goodwin, 2nd Grade
Escolares Academy at Harbison West Elem. School
GaBBY Bows
Lexington County School District 1
Brandon Myers, 12th Grade
Pelion High School
Southern Fresh Farm, LLC