The Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC), charged with promoting and enhancing quality of life in Greenville County by facilitating job growth and investment, has named Jim Burns as Chairman of its Board of Directors for 2022-2023. Joining him as officers are Beverly Haines as Vice Chair, Justin Bagwell as Secretary, and Barry Leasure as Treasurer.
Simultaneously, the GADC has announced that prominent business leaders William Moon and Charles Piszczor have been appointed by Greenville County Council to three-year terms on the Board, beginning July 1, 2022. In addition, outgoing Board Chairman Don Erickson and Mr. Leasure were both reappointed to serve second terms on the GADC Board.
“Since its founding in 2001, GADC efforts have created more than $55 billion in economic impact to Greenville County and accounted for over 30,000 jobs, working closely with economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, the private sector and state and local governments to realize these incredible results,” said Chairman of Greenville County Council Willis Meadows. “County Council appreciates these talented leaders who help to guide our County’s economic development efforts, while increasing per capita income, capital investment, and opportunity for all members of the community.”
Mr. Burns is Chief Operating Officer of Hartness Development and the former President and CEO of Strategy & Execution Excellence, LLC, a consultancy focused on development, project management and owner’s representation in Greenville. Mr. Burns has also served as Director of Development for Central Realty Holdings, Managing Principal of Design Strategies, and in leadership roles with Carolina First (now TD Bank) and Jacobs Engineering. He holds a bachelor’s degree in both Political Science and Architecture, as well as an M.B.A, from Clemson University, and is active on several community boards. He also has previously served on Greenville County Council.
Ms. Haines is a healthcare consultant and former President and Chief Nursing Officer of the Patewood Hospital and Medical Campus of Prisma Health. A registered nurse, she previously served as Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health System. Ms. Haines holds a master’s degree in Nursing Education with emphasis in Nursing Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Duquesne University. She has served in leadership roles with organizations including the Peace Center and Greenville Women Giving, and is a graduate of The Riley Institute at Furman University’s Diversity Leaders Initiative. She is a former GADC Board Chair.
Mr. Bagwell is Senior Corporate Counsel with Michelin North America after previously serving as Vice President and Corporate Counsel of MidCountry Financial Corp., a financial services holding company headquartered in Greenville. He also has practiced law with South Carolina firms where he represented clients in both state and federal courts throughout South Carolina. Mr. Bagwell holds a B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of South Carolina Honors College, and a J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Mr. Leasure is Managing Partner of the GreerWalker CPAs Greenville office. He has more than 30 years of experience providing tax and business advisory services to clients of all sizes across a wide spectrum of industries and consulting with international and domestic companies. He primarily focuses his practice on the construction, property management and real estate development industries including developers, owners, brokers, and investors. He is active in professional organizations including the Urban Land Institute, CFMA South Carolina, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and its South Carolina chapter. As a volunteer, he is active with the Peace Center, United Way of Greenville County, and a Board Member of Upstate Alliance.
Mr. Erickson is a retired executive with more than 35 years of experience in the Aerospace and Defense industry, most recently serving as General Manager and Site Director of Lockheed Martin’s 500-person site in Greenville that provides aircraft sustainment, modification and production services. In addition, he was instrumental in bringing the new F-16 Production Line to Greenville. He is an active and engaged member in the community supporting Greenville Tech, Habitat for Humanity, and the March of Dimes, and holds a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Mr. Moon is CEO of Moon & Associates, Inc. and holds an MAI designation as a certified appraiser and member of the Appraisal Institute who has met strict testing, standards and experience requirements. Knowledgeable in all aspects of the state and local real estate markets, he is a graduate of University of South Carolina Upstate, where he earned a B.S. degree in Finance and Economics.
Mr. Piszczor is a former Director of CME Group, Inc. where he specialized in commodity research and product development. He was responsible for developing and implementing agricultural commodity and alternative investment products across global markets. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from Northwood University and a Master of Arts in Economics from Roosevelt University. He serves as a Trustee, Alumni Association President, and Endowment Trust President of Howe Military Academy, among other civic involvements.
Departing the GADC Board of Directors at the end of his second consecutive term with appreciation for his contributions and service is Don Godbey. Mr. Godbey was honored at the recent GADC Annual Meeting for his numerous contributions to the GADC during a period of record growth and prosperity.