South Carolina leaders graduate from 2025 Economic Development Institute

Dozens of professionals graduated from the 2025 South Carolina Economic Development Institute (The Institute), a premier training program advancing economic development leadership across the state.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA), which, in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Commerce (SCDOC), hosts The Institute each year to cultivate state and community leaders committed to fostering prosperity and economic vitality throughout South Carolina.

The Institute offers participants a dynamic and interactive curriculum designed to deepen their understanding of the state’s economic development process. Through immersive sessions, participants gain practical insight into strategies, partnerships and best practices that strengthen South Carolina’s communities.

Now in its 35th year, The Institute conducts four two-day sessions annually in communities across the state. This year’s sessions were held in Beaufort, Hartsville, Clinton and Greenwood.

Participants represent a diverse range of sectors, including local governments, economic development organizations, school boards, utilities and regional partnerships. More than 1,800 municipal and county leaders have completed the program since its inception.
The following graduates comprise the Institute class of 2025:

• Sharmane Anderson – Clarendon County
• Keith Avery – Newberry Electric Cooperative
• Crocker Barker – Red Rock Developments
• Emilio Becerra – S.C. Department of Commerce
• Jonathan Bennett – County of Lexington Economic Development
• Emily Brazinski – Alliance Pickens
• Richard Buckingham – S.C. Department of Commerce
• Terra Carroll – North Augusta Chamber
• Richard Carson – Calhoun County Council
• Elmer Castro – readySC
• Gwen Chambers – BlacQuity
• Lance Davis – City of Union
• Albert Davis, III – Darlington County Council
• Randy Driggers – City of Lake City
• Lauren Ellis – Charleston County Economic Development
• Melissa Ferqueron – Laurens County
• Leon Fulmer – Newberry County Council
• Luke Godbold – City of Cayce
• Courtney Hair – Chesterfield County Economic Development
• Ryan Hall – SeamonWhiteside
• Brenna Hancock – Lowcountry Council of Governments
• Jason Hendrix – Town of Batesburg-Leesville
• Danny Hogge, Jr. – Darlington County Economic Development Partnership
• Jeff Howard – City of Greer
• Alaina Klitzsch – Lowcountry Council of Governments
• Robbie Lahmon – SCDEW
• Lesley Lane – Greenwood Development
• Alfonso Leggette – Greenville Area Development Corporation
• Dylon Ligon – S.C. Department of Commerce
• James Mattox, III – SCDOT
• Devarius McDonald – Fairfield County Economic Development
• Thomas Monroe – SCDEW
• Reagan Osbon – City of Westminster
• Will Owens – Terracon Consulants, Inc.
• Nicholas Pizzuti – SCDOT
• Joel Rogers – Marion County Council
• Sneha Sairam – S.C. Department of Commerce
• Karl Sease – Newberry County Council
• Stephanie Sherman – Apprenticeship Carolina
• Sidney Smith – Central SC Alliance
• Bowman Still – Barge Design Solutions
• Jack Stuart – Town of Lexington
• John Thompson – Richland County Government
• Russ Touchberry – Town of Summerville
• Vijay Tripathi – S.C. Department of Commerce
• Austin Walker – Stoll Industries
• Brittany Waring – S.C. Department of Commerce
• Kip Watson – Charleston County Economic Development
• Antron Williams – USDA NRCS
• John O. Williams – Berkeley County Economic Development
• Elaine Wilmore – Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation
• Michael Worley – Alexander County
• Meredith Wright – Barnwell County
• Douglas Wurster – Charleston County

Registration for the 2026 Institute class is now underway. To learn more, visit www.SCEDA.org.

Since 1965, the S.C Economic Developers’ Association has served as the Voice of Economic Development in the Palmetto State. A professional trade association of more than 600 members with representation from all 46 counties, SCEDA includes local and regional economic developers and allies in the private and public sectors. SCEDA’s mission is to enhance the professional development of its membership and to advocate economic development to benefit the citizens of South Carolina.