Charleston Regional Development Alliance Names New VP of Global Development

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – May 5, 2014 – The Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA) is pleased to welcome Michael J. Graney as the organization’s new Vice President, Global Business Development. In this role, Graney will lead the CRDA’s comprehensive, strategic global business development efforts, placing special emphasis on five industry clusters: Information Technology, Aerospace, Biomedical, Advanced Security and Energy Systems.

Graney brings 18 years of economic development experience to the CRDA, having previously managed the business development program at the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts (EDC) and serving as President of the EDC-related Springfield Business Development Corporation (SBDC).

Through his work at SBDC, Graney played a key role in projects such as the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the creation of the first Business Improvement District in Massachusetts and the new MassMutual Center. Following SBDC, Graney went on to spearhead the EDC’s international business development program, which included marketing, communication, website development and prospect management, in addition to representing the EDC at conferences and trade shows in Europe and the U.S.

In addition to his deep experience in economic development, Graney has held various positions across diverse industries, namely commercial real estate, and sports & entertainment. Prior to relocating to Charleston, he spent his entire career on the East Coast, primarily in New England. Graney was born in upstate New York and received his B.A. in Economics from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

The CRDA also recently added Kayla Boyter to the team as the new Marketing Services Manager. Boyter will work in coordination with the CRDA’s business development and engaged leadership teams to manage digital marketing, social media and Web content, special events and presentations. With more than five years’ experience in a marketing position at the South Carolina Research Authority, Boyter brings expertise in marketing communications, digital media, graphic design and online analytics.

Boyter is a South Carolina native who earned a B.S. in Graphic Communications from Clemson University and a Master’s Certificate in Organizational and Corporate Communication from the College of Charleston.

About the Charleston Regional Development Alliance

The Charleston Regional Development Alliance is a professional economic development organization representing Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties in South Carolina. With a large and growing network of business, academic and governmental partners, the CRDA directly assists companies with competitive location or expansion projects by connecting them with the right people, the appropriate resources and the most meaningful and relevant information. The CRDA promotes the Charleston region’s business, academic and lifestyle strengths worldwide to attract the world’s best companies, entrepreneurs and professional talent. Ultimately, the goal is to strengthen regional employment, build our base of high-value industries, and significantly improve the economic future for all who live and work in the greater Charleston area.