COLUMBIA, S.C. – August 27, 2020 – The South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA) announced its 2020-21 officers and board of directors during the organization’s virtual annual meeting. SCEDA and its 800+ members have been the ‘Voice of Economic Development’ in the Palmetto State for more than 50 years.
Richard K. Blackwell, SCCED, Vice President of Development at Agracel, Inc., will serve as SCEDA’s 2020-2021 president.
“It’s a true honor to serve as SCEDA’s president for the upcoming year,” said Blackwell. “The board has already been hard at work to provide members with the resources and support they need to bounce back from the impacts of COVID-19. We believe that now, perhaps more than ever, our 800+ members must continue to be strong advocates for effective comprehensive economic development that yields a business-friendly environment with robust workforce development programs that continues to yield opportunities to our citizens that leads to a better South Carolina.”
2020-21 Board of Directors
President – Richard K. Blackwell, SCCED**, Agracel, Inc.
Vice President – Marty Baltzegar, PE, LEED AP, S&ME
Treasurer – Sandy Steele, SCCED**, SouthernCarolina Regional Development Alliance
Secretary – Rick Farmer, SCCED**, Newberry County Economic Development
Past President – Andrena Powell-Baker, SCCED**, Lockhart Power Company
Director, Tavia C.M. Gaddy, SCCED**, Greenville Area Development Corporation
Director, Karen Calhoun, McMillan Pazdan Smith, LLC
Director, John Truluck, SCCED**, Dorchester County Economic Development
Director, Tushar Chikhliker, Nexsen Pruet, LLC
Director, Edward Kluiters, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP
Director, Brian Tucker, Georgetown County Economic Development
Ex-Officio Members
Mr. Robert M. Hitt, II, Secretary, S. C. Department of Commerce
Designee: Nelson Lindsay, SCCED**, S.C. Department of Commerce
Dr. Tim Hardee, President, S.C. Technical College System
Designee: Brad Neese, S.C. Technical College System
Mr. Duane Parrish, Director, S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Designee: Toni Nance, S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Mr. Jim Newsome, CEO, S.C. State Ports Authority
Designee: Micah Mallace, S.C. State Ports Authority
About SCEDA
Since 1965, the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association has served as the Voice of Economic Development in the Palmetto State. A professional trade association of more than 800 members, with representation from all 46 counties, SCEDA includes local and regional economic developers, as well as officials from municipal, county and state government agencies, construction and engineering firms, utility companies, attorneys, consultants, financial institutions, and higher education.
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