COLUMBIA, S.C. – February 13, 2012 – The South Carolina Department of Commerce today announced that Ford Graham will lead the agency’s Europe Office in Munich, Germany, which spearheads Commerce’s international recruitment efforts on the continent.
Graham is currently the S.C. Department of Commerce’s director of International Investment. He is responsible for the international recruiting strategy, as well as leading the Department in large-scale economic development efforts.
“Ford Graham’s recruitment and international experience will help Commerce’s efforts to recruit in Europe. A number of our state’s largest employers are international companies, so his presence in Europe will have real impact,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.
Graham has been with the agency since 2008, and is responsible for over 60 projects statewide, resulting in commitments of more than 6,500 new jobs and $2.6 billion in new investment.
Prior to Commerce, Graham worked as general counsel for a real estate development and investment firm, and served as a law clerk in the 5th and 14th Judicial Circuits of South Carolina. Graham received his juris doctor and international masters of business administration degrees from the University of South Carolina’s School of Law and Moore School of Business respectively. He received his undergraduate degree from Tulane University in New Orleans where he was elected student body president.
In 2011, he was recognized by The State Newspaper as one of the “20 Under 40” emerging business leaders. Graham continues to be heavily involved in the community as a board member in Indian Waters Council’s Three Rivers Scout District and as immediate past president of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of South Carolina.
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