GADC names Ashley Keene as Existing Industry Manager
November 9, 2020
The Greenville Area Development Corporation has named Ashley Keene as the economic development organization’s new Existing Industry Manager.
In her new role, Ms. Keene will serve as liaison to existing companies across Greenville County to ensure the community is being responsive their needs as well as encourage their growth. Besides leveraging state and local resources to help facilitate capital investment and job creation of our local companies, she will also serve as an ombudsman to help with any challenges they are facing.
Since 2015, expansion and growth announced by existing industry reinvesting in Greenville County has represented more than two thirds of the community’s new capital investment (over $1.2 billion) and in excess of 7,300 announced jobs, demonstrating the critical importance of the existing industry support role, note GADC officials.
A native of Greenville, Ms. Keene earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, interning her final year as a Marketing/Business Development intern with the South Carolina Department of Commerce. Ms. Keene later earned a Master in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business from the Moore School of Business in 2011. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute.
Following graduation, Ms. Keene worked as an educational consultant with Blackbaud, Inc. of Charleston before being named Deputy Director of Economic Development for Charleston County, S.C. One of the primary responsibilities of this job was establishing and then running a business retention and expansion program. She relocated to Greenville in 2012 as a Project Manager for Benefitfocus, later joining Furman University as Director of Development Systems where she provided strategic leadership and direction for data infrastructure to support development goals and fundraising priorities.
“Ashley’s strong economic development experience and diverse business background really impressed our team and helped her stand out from an impressive array of candidates we considered,” said Mark Farris, GADC Senior Vice President. “I have no doubt that she will be a valuable addition to the GADC team, and we are delighted to welcome her as our new Existing Industry Manager. We believe she will bring an added dimension in assisting existing organizations to grow and thrive in our community.”
The Greenville Area Development Corporation
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 29,000 new jobs and more than $5.3 billion in capital investment in Greenville County, SC. To learn more, please visit www.goGADC.com or call (864) 235-2008. To learn more about workforce opportunities, visit www.jobsingreenvillesc.com.
