GADC Honors Dr. Larry Brotherton as Economic Development Ambassador for 2014
April 4, 2014
GREENVILLE COUNTY, SC – April 4, 2014 – The Greenville Area Development Corporation, charged with promoting and enhancing quality of life in Greenville County by facilitating job growth and investment, has named Dr. Larry Brotherton, CEO of Ortec, Inc. as Greenville County’s Economic Development Ambassador for 2014.
The formal announcement was made at the State House in Columbia on April 3, 2014 during ceremonies as South Carolina celebrated the 24th annual Industry Appreciation Week. Governor Nikki Haley individually recognized Dr. Brotherton and 45 other Ambassadors, one from each county in the state, who have made exceptional contributions to community and state economic development in the past year. Industry Appreciation Week is celebrated to express thanks to companies for their contributions to local communities, to honor economic development leaders, and to build awareness that existing business is a fundamental driver of both local and state economies.
GADC Interim President & CEO Kevin Landmesser lauded Dr. Brotherton for his significant and ongoing efforts to advancing a diverse and sustainable economic development climate in Greenville County and the Upstate. Landmesser also noted that Dr. Brotherton had not only founded and grown Ortec, a leading polymer technology, medical material and custom chemical synthesis company serving the pharmaceutical and other industries, to 3 Upstate locations but with his family had invested countless hours in support of Greenville County’s industrial recruiting efforts.
A consummate entrepreneur, Dr. Brotherton is also owner of Ortec Machining & Fabrication and an avid supporter of the Upstate Carolina Angel Network (UCAN). He is also a significant philanthropist, having started the Brotherton Foundation and supporting numerous fundraisers including the Greenville Health System’s Cancer Center.
Dr. Brotherton’s passionate commitment and leadership in advancing our entrepreneurial ecosystem has quietly yet effectively helped advance economic prosperity in this region, said Landmesser. In addition, he has made many contributions to this community’s quality of life by serving on numerous local, state and national boards for the benefit of citizens of Greenville County, and certainly deserves this recognition and honor.
Dr. Brotherton holds a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Tusculum College and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Tennessee. He serves on numerous boards including the Board of Trustees of the Peace Center for the Performing Arts, the Board of Governors for the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates, and as past President of the Pickens County YMCA.
Thanks to dedicated leaders like Dr. Brotherton and all of the organizations and individuals who collaborate to advance economic development here, the outlook for new jobs and investment that will benefit Greenville County is very bright, said Landmesser.
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.
