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The Greenville 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 Upstate leaders as officers of its Board of Directors for 2014-2015.
Richard (Dick) Wilkerson was named as chairman for 2014-2015, succeeding Greenville Tech Foundation President Bob Howard in that position. Mr. Wilkerson is joined by S. Hunter Howard, Jr. as Vice Chairman, Marshall E. Franklin as Treasurer, and Dr. Tom E. Quantrille as Secretary.
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 nearly 32 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, former 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 as Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for the Community Foundation of Greenville. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Greenville Health System, the South Carolina Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the Institute for Child Success.
Mr. Howard offers a distinguished record of business and economic development accomplishments, having served from 1992-2008 as President and CEO of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Prior to his work with the Chamber, Mr. Howard served as Chairman of the South Carolina Tax Commission from 1986-1992, and as Special Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner of the IRS. He also served from 1974-1982 as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and a certified public accountant, currently serving as an advisor to Scott and Company Certified Public Accountants. He is a member of the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants, serves on the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Higher Education Foundation, and chairs the Board of the Greenville Technical College Foundation.
Mr. Franklin is the Chief Operations Officer for Bob Jones University following a distinguished 24-year career with Ernst & Young, an international accounting and consulting firm, where he served both domestic and international clients from offices in France, England, and the Southeastern United States. Mr. Franklin holds a B.S. in Professional Accounting from Bob Jones University, and is widely recognized as a strong consensus builder who is keenly aware of international business issues and opportunities, having conducted business in 37 countries. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Pinnacle Bank of South Carolina in Greenville and of The Wilds, a Christian camp located in Brevard, N.C.
Dr. Tom Quantrille is President and CEO of Advanced Composite Materials, LLC, a Greer-based specialty materials manufacturer that he joined in 2002. Previously, Dr. Quantrille was with BBA Group, plc, where he held numerous positions in research and development, sales management, marketing, and business development. He also worked with The Procter & Gamble Company. He holds a B.S. and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech, is a published author, and holds numerous patents pertaining to advanced materials technologies, primarily in the fields of composites, ceramics, and polymers. He is active in both educational and workforce development efforts in Greenville County and at Heritage Bible Church.
“Greenville County has benefited significantly from the insights and efforts of these four community leaders, and we are excited to have them lead our Board in the coming year,” said Kevin Landmesser, Interim GADC President and CEO. “They have been active contributors to economic development initiatives for years and are well-versed in the needs of and challenges facing the community. Their acceptance of these important roles provides critical experience, stability and insight to the GADC’s and Greenville County’s efforts.”
Mr. Landmesser also expressed appreciation to outgoing Chairman Bob Howard, outgoing Treasurer Scott Case, outgoing Secretary Ray Lattimore, and former Chairperson Jo Watson Hackl for their years of dedicated service on the Board and to the community. “All of these individuals have played a major role in moving Greenville’s economic development agenda forward, and for that our county’s citizens are extremely grateful,” he said.
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