May 2, 2016
State celebrates 25th Annual Industry Appreciation Week
COLUMBIA, S.C. – As part of the 25th Annual Industry Appreciation Week, the South Carolina Department of Commerce last week announced the 2016 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 28 at the Governor’s Mansion Complex. This year, 46 individuals – one from each county – were selected.
“In South Carolina, growing our state’s economy and creating jobs truly is a team effort, and the individuals recognized as ambassadors at last week’s ceremony are proof of that. These local business leaders from all corners of our state are what really make South Carolina such a special place to live, work and play,” 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.
“Businesses don’t locate to a state or a region. They locate to a community. So, it’s important to recognize the local leaders in communities all across this state that help move South Carolina and its communities forward,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.
In addition to honoring the 2016 Ambassadors for Economic Development at last week’s ceremony, the state also presented three businesses with the South Carolina Export Achievement Award and recognized five students as Young Entrepreneurs of the Year.
For photos of all ambassadors and young entrepreneurs, as well as the businesses that were recognized with export achievement awards, please visit the S.C. Department of Commerce’s flickr page.
2016 Ambassadors for Economic Development:
| County | Name | Organization or Status |
| Abbeville | Lee Logan | Freshwater Community Coast Foundation |
| Aiken | Fran Jones | Bridgestone Americas |
| Allendale | Anne Rice | Former business owner and educator; development advocate |
| Anderson | Doug Newton | Techtronic Industries Power Equipment |
| Bamberg | Greg Pierce | Blackwater Barrels |
| Barnwell | Alan King | Precision Metal Fabricators |
| Beaufort | Cliff Mrkvicka | Lockheed Martin |
| Berkeley | Kenneth Seeger | WestRock |
| Calhoun | Ritchie McQueeney | Thermo King |
| Charleston | Jamee Haley | Lowcountry Local First |
| Cherokee | Stephen White | Dollar Tree, Inc. |
| Chester | Jim Bennett | Spratt Savings & Loan |
| Chesterfield | Lance Tully | Nestle Waters North America |
| Clarendon | August Cutter | First Palmetto Bank |
| Colleton | Vittorio Musso | Meter Bearings |
| Darlington | Roger Schrum | Sonoco Products Company |
| Dillon | Teddy Williams | Expert Machine and Fabrication Company |
| Dorchester | James Bozard, Jr. | Coastal Corrugated, Inc. |
| Edgefield | Richard Pendarvis | Pendarvis Chevrolet |
| Fairfield | Sean O’Connor | Breakthru Beverage South Carolina |
| Florence | Frank Brand | Stifel |
| Georgetown | Jeannine Siembida | International Paper |
| Greenville | Mike McCormick | Bosch Rexroth |
| Greenwood | Dave Berry | SPF North America |
| Hampton | Marco Genoni | Nupi Americas Inc. |
| Horry | Jim Apple | Burroughs & Chapin Company Inc. |
| Jasper | Lee Edwards | The Greenery, Inc. |
| Kershaw | Darryl Fournier | Suominen Corporation |
| Lancaster | Mark Brodsky | Red Ventures |
| Laurens | Brent Pahach | CeramTec North America |
| Lee | Don Brown | Carolina Piping and Rigging |
| Lexington | Jim Reynolds | Total Comfort Solutions |
| Marion | Michael Blue | Door of Hope Christian Church |
| Marlboro | Bobby Brock | Marlboro Water Company |
| McCormick | Hervey Walker, Jr. | Walker’s Funeral Home LLC |
| Newberry | Jimmy Hancock | Sea Pro Boats LLC |
| Oconee | Jeff Chee | Greenfield Industries |
| Orangeburg | Gordon Powell | Bimbo Bakeries – USA |
| Pickens | Mike Kreps | Wilbert Plastics |
| Richland | James Braun | Avantech |
| Saluda | Darron Wilson | Work Ready Communities |
| Spartanburg | Yasuo Ueda | Toray Industries, Inc. |
| Sumter | John Brabham, Jr. | Berkshire Hathaway Properties – John M. Brabham Real Estate |
| Union | Robert Hart | Timken Tyger River |
| Williamsburg | Bobby Meltzer | The Peddinghaus Corporation |
| York | Manning Kimmel | Our Three Sons Broadcasting |
Export Achievement Award Recipients:
| Company | Representatives | County |
| Boyd Cycling | Boyd Johnson and Nicole Johnson | Greenville |
| Bridge to Life | Aaron Gilchrist and Toni Lee | Richland |
| Scout Boats | Steve Potts and Alan Lang | Dorchester |
Young Entrepreneurs of the Year:
| School District | Name, Grade | School | Business Venture |
| Charleston County School District | Kate McCabe, 3rd Grade | Ashley River Creative Arts Academy | Kate’s Candles |
| Charleston County School District | Caleb Milligan, 11th Grade | West Ashley High School | Caleb Alexander| The Next Generation of Magic |
| Florence Public School District One | Thomasena Thomas, 11th Grade | South Florence High School | FairyCakessc |
| Greenwood School District 50 | Kirby Elizabeth Self, 11th Grade* | Emerald High School | Brella Bella |
| Lexington-Richland School District Five | Hunter Bristow, 11th Grade | Spring Hill High School | Fast and Quiet |