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Ralph U. Thomas
President
Ralph has spent his nearly 50-year career as an economic development professional directing programs for communities in four states throughout the South. In two states, he has been elected by his peers to chair the statewide associations charged with advancing the economic development profession. A recipient of numerous professional awards and accolades, Thomas is a strong believer in personal service and “follow up” as the cornerstones of business recruitment.
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Fred J. Gassaway
Executive Vice President of Marketing
Fred directs the Power Team's marketing program to attract industrial and commercial companies to the state. A veteran project manager, Fred's economic development career spans well over 30 years. He developed the original economic development program for South Carolina's electric cooperatives and is also a founder of the National Rural Economic Developers Association. Fred is the primary contact for medical device companies and renewable/alternative energy companies with an interest in locating in South Carolina.
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Working closely with associates Fred Gassaway and Jeff Ruble, Rusty engages in project management for the Power Team and is the key contact for automotive, transportation and distribution/logistics firms interested in locating or expanding in South Carolina. He serves as a member of the New Carolina Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Council. Reed also supervises the Power Team's funding programs that provide strategic planning assistance to the Palmetto State's economic development agencies. Rusty holds a master's degree in public administration and is a former county administrator - South Carolina’s Public Administrator of the Year in 1979. Prior to his work at the Power Team, Reed was manager of R & D and vice president of operations for a computer manufacturer.
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Jeff Ruble directs the Power Team’s effort to personally visit site location consultants and companies with possible interest in the state. He also manages our professional development assistance program available to South Carolina economic developers. He has nearly 20 years of economic development experience, primarily in project management. At the Power Team, he is the primary contact for aerospace companies interested in locating in South Carolina. Before joining us, he was a project manager with the Central SC Alliance and its predecessor, the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. He is secretary of the South Carolina Economic Developers Association (SCEDA).
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Clancy Courtney
Manager of Facilities Planning
Courtney manages the Power Team’s industrial site and building inventory, supervises its site certification program and conducts direct mail efforts to promote available properties. Having worked for a regional economic development organization and the state’s electric cooperatives, Clancy has over 30 years of economic development experience including information research, project management and property development.
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R. Andrew Folks
Director of Business Relations
Folks manages the Power Team’s existing industry visitation program, monitors its website and publishes its promotional brochure/newsletter, Palmetto Power. Holding a master’s degree in mass communication, Andrew came to the Power Team in 2008 from an advertising and marketing firm where he managed accounts for a variety of clients including several local and regional economic development groups in South Carolina. He is a member of the Leadership South Carolina Class of 2011. You can follow him on Twitter here.
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The administrative support staff mirrors the experience and professionalism of the economic development staff above.
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Diane Bean
Diane’s professional career includes office and sales management in manufacturing and banking prior to joining the Power Team in 2003. Ms. Bean is Executive Secretary.
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Jan Guerry
Jan’s experience in the legal field, university operations and corporate sales give her a varied career. Ms. Guerry joined the Power Team in 2006 and is Administrative Assistant.
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