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Ralph U. Thomas

President

Ralph has spent his entire 43-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.  Recipient of numerous professional awards and accolades, Thomas is a strong believer in personal service and “follow up” as the cornerstones of business recruitment.

Fred J. Gassaway

Executive Vice President

Fred is a 34-year veteran of economic development having joined the South Carolina State Development Board (now the Department of Commerce) in 1973 managing the state’s response to companies’ interest in South Carolina.  He created and directed an economic development program for electric cooperatives in 1980.  A founder of the National Rural Economic Developers Association (NREDA), Gassaway directs the South Carolina Power Team’s marketing program.

Donald P. “Rusty” Reed

Vice President for Business Development

Rusty has 22 years of economic development experience.  Additionally, with a Masters Degree in Public Administration, he has served as a County Administrator for nine years and was recognized as South Carolina’s Public Administrator of the Year in 1979.  He also spent time in the private sector as manager of R & D and vice president of operations for a computer manufacturer.  Reed and Gassaway manage the South Carolina Power Team’s response to companies’ interest in the state.  In addition, Reed supervises the Power Team’s scholarship program for economic development professionals and the program to provide funding for strategic planning for local economic development groups.

Jeffrey G. “Jeff” Ruble

CED, Director of Business Recruitment

Jeff has more than 14 years of economic development experience, primarily in project management.  Before joining the South Carolina Power Team in 2006, he was a project manager with the Central SC Alliance and its predecessor, the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce.  Ruble directs the South Carolina Power Team’s effort to personally visit site location consultants and companies with possible interest in the state.

Clancy Courtney

Manager, Facilities Planning

Having worked for a regional economic development organization and the state’s electric cooperatives, Clancy has more than 28 years of economic development experience including information research, project management and property development.  Courtney manages the Power Team’s industrial site and building inventory, supervises a site certification program and conducts direct mail efforts to promote available properties.

R. Andrew Folks

Director of Business Relations

Holding a master’s degree in mass communication, Andrew came to the Power Team in 2008 from Semaphore, a full service marketing firm. At Semaphore, he managed accounts for a variety of clients including several local and regional economic development groups in South Carolina. Folks manages the Power Team’s existing industry program, monitors its website and publishes its promotional brochure/newsletter, Palmetto Power.

The administrative support staff mirrors the experience and professionalism of the economic development staff above.

Diane Bean Diane’s 37-year career includes office and sales management in manufacturing and banking.  Ms. Bean is Executive Secretary.

Jan Guerry Jan’s experience in the legal field, university operations and corporate sales give her a varied 35-year career.  Ms. Guerry is Administrative Assistant.