Commerce Launches Aerospace Task Force

Charlie Farrell to lead new advisory council

COLUMBIA, SC – April 18, 2012 – The South Carolina Department ofCommerce today announced that Charlie Farrell will direct the new S.C.Aerospace Task Force, an advisory council to the Secretary of Commerceon the development of a strategic initiative to enhance and grow thestate’s aerospace industry.

“Boeing is our grand slam. Our challenge is to leverage that successwith other great assets for South Carolina, including government,industry and education,” Farrell said.

As director of the S.C. Aerospace Task Force, Farrell will oversee acommittee to align efforts and priorities across the state in theaerospace industry. By coordinating among key players and developing astatewide strategic initiative, the task force will promote continuedgrowth in this sector of South Carolina’s economy.

South Carolina has more than 180 aerospace manufacturing companies andsuppliers, employing more than 20,000 people. These companies are widelydistributed throughout the state and include industry leaders such asBoeing, Champion Aerospace, Eaton, GE, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin,Michelin Aircraft Tire and SKF.

Farrell is a banking and finance graduate of the University of SouthCarolina with extensive military and professional experience. He flewmore than 3,000 hours as a fighter pilot for the Marine Corps and AirNational Guard before owning two commercial printing companies thenmoving into professional development training. Specializing in programsto develop skills in leadership, teamwork and personal productivity,Farrell has conducted over 3,000 programs for repeat clients such asGeneral Electric, 3M, Mayo Clinic, Federal Reserve Bank, Ocean SprayCranberry and Michelin.

Among his accomplishments, Farrell has published articles and two books,including Courage to Lead, which is used by organizations anduniversities in their leadership training. He has been an adjunctfaculty member of the University of South Carolina Moore School ofBusiness since 1992 and served as director of Executive Education forthree years. He travels extensively, having visited all 50 states and 30foreign countries.

“With a rich history in aviation, South Carolina now has a vibrant andgrowing aerospace industry that includes everything from aircraftmanufacturing to space technology and defense,” said Secretary ofCommerce Bobby Hitt. “The task force will provide an even betterframework to support this industry through statewide communication andcollaboration.”

About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Departmentof Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businessesgrow. Commerce received the Silver Award from Business Facilitiesmagazine, placing second in the 2011 Economic Development Deal of theYear competition. Commerce has been part of recruiting world-classcompanies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgestone, Continental,Monster.com, Heinz, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. Commerce also supportssmall and existing business, rural development initiatives and offersgrants for community development. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.