New Carolina names Ann Marie Stieritz President & CEO

July 9, 2014

COLUMBIA, SC — New Carolina, South Carolina’s Council on Competitiveness, announced today that Ann Marie Stieritz has joined the organization as its President & CEO.  She is taking over for Laura McKinney who is returning with her family to their home in Blaine, Washington, “My husband Jim, our children and I are returning to our home in Washington after an extremely rewarding two years spent back where I began – in South Carolina. It is with great pride and  pleasure that I welcomeAnn Marie Stieritz to the leadership role for New Carolina.”

Ann Marie brings over fifteen years of economic and workforce development experience to New Carolina. Immediately prior to joining New Carolina, she served as the Deputy Executive Director of the University of South Carolina’s Office of Economic Engagement and was charged with fostering economic growth across the state of South Carolina by connecting new and existing businesses with university resources.

“New Carolina was extremely fortunate to have Laura McKinney’s leadership during her time in South Carolina.  She oversaw a period of organizational growth that led to many exciting projects such as the development of the state’s aerospace cluster and the launch of TransformSC – a business and education partnership to transform K-12 public education,”  said New Carolina Chairman, Ed Sellers.  “With Ann Marie’s capable guidance, New Carolina will continue to stimulate industrial growth and develop the workforce to improve the long-term economic competitiveness of South Carolina.”

Ann Marie previously served as the Vice President for Economic and Workforce Competitiveness for the SC Technical College System, overseeing the System’s nationally recognized economic and workforce development programs as well as other statewide programs aimed at increasing the state’s competitiveness through education and training. She was the Founding Director of Apprenticeship Carolina which has been recognized as a national model and also led the establishment of South Carolina’s 12 Regional Education Centers.

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Outside of South Carolina, Ann Marie’s experience encompasses an international focus. She has worked in the Federated States of Micronesia as well as the country of Mauritania in West Africa; promoted international trade opportunities for the State of New Jersey; and served as a Political Analyst for the Consulate General of New York, advising Japanese government officials concerning U.S. political developments.

Ann Marie is committed to community service and has served in leadership roles and on numerous boards, including the United Way of the Midlands, the American Red Cross-Central SC Chapter, the Columbia Rotary Club, and the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign. She was recognized by the Girl Scouts of South Carolina as a “Woman of Distinction,” and is a graduate of the S.C. Technical College system’s Leadership Academy and the Diversity Leadership Institute of Furman University.

Ann Marie earned a B.A. Summa Cum Laude from Xavier University and a Diplôme d’études from the l’Université de Paris, la Sorbonne as well as an M.A. and an M. Phil. in political science from New York University.

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About New Carolina

New Carolina is a statewide, business-led organization that identifies, launches, and builds scale behind economic growth initiatives. The organization’s signature work is in the development of industry through clusters, and the development of communities through education and workforce development initiatives.  For more information, visit www.newcarolina.org.

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