Greenville, S.C. Economic Development Group Announces 2013-14 Officers

GREENVILLE, S.C. - June 13, 2013 - PRLog -- The Greenville (S.C.) Area Development Corporation (GADC), the county-chartered organization tasked with promoting and enhancing the economic growth of Greenville County, has announced the appointment of four business leaders as officers of its Board of Directors for 2013-2014.

Robert “Bob” Howard was named as chairman for 2013-2014, succeeding Regions Bank executive Chris Riley in that position.  Mr. Howard is joined by Richard (Dick) Wilkerson as Vice Chair, Scott Case as Treasurer, and Ray Lattimore as Secretary.

Mr. Howard became President of the Greenville Tech Foundation in 2008.  He had a 30-year career with Bank of America and its predecessor banks, and is a former executive director of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. He has served on the boards of numerous civic organizations including the Community Foundation of Greenville, the Metropolitan Arts Council, the Governor’s School for the Arts and the Greenville Water Commission, and is a past president of the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation, the South Carolina Nature Conservancy, and Leadership South Carolina.  He previously served as Vice Chairman of the GADC Board of Directors.

Mr. Wilkerson served as Chairman and President of Michelin North America from 2008 to 2011, prior to which he held numerous other leadership positions during his 31 years with Michelin in the United States, France and Scotland. He is past chairman of the Executive Committee of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, director of the Yellowstone Park Foundation, and has served on the Clemson University President’s Advisory Board and the University of South Carolina National Advisory Council. Very active in the Greenville community, Mr. Wilkerson served as 2012 Chairman of the United Way of Greenville County Board of Trustees and serves on the Board of Directors for the Community Foundation of Greenville, the Greenville Health System and the Institute for Child Success.

Mr. Lattimore is President and CEO of Marketplace Staffing, one of the leading independent staffing providers in America.  A former executive with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company before founding Marketplace Staffing in 1996, Mr. Lattimore is a Liberty Fellow and graduate of both Leadership South Carolina and Leadership Greenville.  He holds the Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR) credential, and is a director of numerous boards and organizations, including the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Greenville County, and the Greenville Technical College Area Commission.

Mr. Case is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 25 years of professional experience in the areas of tax and finance.  Having previously served on Greenville County Council, Mr. Case authored Greenville’s first Biennium budget, led the County to a Triple A credit rating, and was instrumental in the creation of the GADC.  Currently, Mr. Case serves as the elected Auditor of Greenville County and, in addition to his community involvement, is a member of both the South Carolina and American Institute of CPAs and the Government Finance Officers Association.

“All four of these leaders are immersed in the Greenville business community and have been active contributors to economic development activities here for years,” said Kevin Landmesser, Interim GADC President and CEO, in making the announcement.  “Their acceptance of these important positions adds critical experience, stability and insight to the efforts of this organization.”

Mr. Landmesser also expressed appreciation to Mr. Riley for his service on the Board and to the community. “Mr. Riley has played a significant role in helping move forward Greenville’s economic development mission, and for that we are extremely grateful,” he said.

The Greenville Area Development Corporation is a non-profit organization established by Greenville County Council to promote and enhance the economic growth and development of Greenville County.  Since its founding in 2001, GADC efforts have resulted in the creation of more than 16,500 new jobs and more than $2.8 billion in capital investment in Greenville County, SC.  To learn more, visit www.goGADC.com or call (864) 235-2008.