GADC names Matthew Duncan to lead expanded existing industry initiatives
June 1, 2023
The Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) has launched an expanded initiative to support existing companies in Greenville County to grow and thrive, and named veteran management, maintenance and operations executive Matt Duncan as the organization’s Existing Industry Manager to lead the effort.
In his new role, Mr. Duncan will serve as key liaison to existing companies across Greenville County, focused on ensuring that the community is responsive to their needs and encouraging their growth. He will seek to marshal state and local resources to help facilitate continued capital investment and job creation by existing local companies and will serve as an ombudsman to help with any challenges they are facing.
Mr. Duncan served with distinction in the United States Army from 1997- 2017 in a range of management, maintenance, and operational support capacities worldwide. Following his retirement from active duty, he worked in the Carolinas for several years adding experience in the life sciences industry, with roles in FDA/DEA monitored environments, process improvement and coordination, quality control and safety management, training and maintenance and facility operations for such global brands as Thermo Fisher Scientific and Nutra Manufacturing (GNC). His career then led him to Colorado Springs to lead maintenance and facility operations for Entegris, a world-class injection molding environment, before returning to Greenville to join the GADC team.
A native of Huntington Beach, California, Mr. Duncan earned his B.A. in Political Policy from the State University of New York (SUNY) and his Master of Business Administration from the Godbold School of Business at Gardner Webb University. He is certified as a corporate Practical Process Improvement Trainer (LEAN, Six Sigma, and TQM), and has served as Lead Process Improvement Trainer for teams exceeding 100 associates.
“Matt’s experience in numerous segments of industry, his track record of leadership and performance during his armed forces career, and his strong business acumen helped him distinguish Matt from an impressive array of candidates we considered for this position,” said Mark Farris, GADC President and CEO.
“Greenville County’s existing industries account for the highest level of both capital investment and job creation almost every year. The Existing Industry position is critical for our community’s economic development success as we seek to encourage sustainable business growth. We are confident that Matt will bring an added dimension in helping existing organizations to grow and thrive here.”
Joining Mr. Duncan in his return to the Carolinas with GADC is his wife Allison, a South Carolina native from Easley, and their four children.
The GADC’s recently unveiled Economic Development Strategic Plan for Greenville County emphasized as one of its foundational principles working even more deeply with existing industry to assist it in growing capital investment, creating business growth and generating high-wage employment. Branded as GADC’s Industry Engage initiative, Mr. Duncan will shape the strategies, activities, and initiatives to help Greenville County’s existing business community to grow and thrive.
Since its founding in mid-2001, the GADC team’s efforts have resulted in the announcement of more than 34,600 new jobs and more than $6.6 billion in capital investment in Greenville County. To learn more, visit www.goGADC.com or call (864) 235-2008. To learn more about workforce opportunities, visit www.jobsingreenvillesc.com.
