GADC names new officers, adds three to Greenville County’s Economic Development Organization Board

The Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC), charged with promoting and enhancing quality of life in Greenville County by facilitating job growth and investment, has named Tom Epting as Chairman of its Board of Directors for 2020-2021. Joining him as officers are Don Erickson as Vice Chair, Roy Chamlee as Secretary, and Scott Case as Treasurer.

Simultaneously, the GADC has announced that prominent business leaders Jim Burns, Marshall Franklin, and Chad Tumblin have been appointed by Greenville County Council to three-year terms on the GADC Board. All terms begin July 1, 2020.

“Since its founding by Greenville County Council in 2001, the GADC has been recognized as a highly effective economic development organization for our community, and one capable of fully leveraging the resources of the SC Department of Commerce, Upstate Alliance, Greenville Chamber, and other economic development allies across our region,” said Chairman of Greenville County Council H. G. (Butch) Kirven, Jr. “County Council appreciates these talented leaders who help to guide our County’s economic development efforts to attract and grow industry and enterprise here, along with increasing per capita income, capital investment, and economic opportunity for all segments of our population.”

Mr. Epting, an attorney, is a partner in the law firm of Fox Rothschild LLP and focuses his legal practice on intellectual property and government contracting and related business transactions. He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the U.S. Air Force Reserves, a Patent Examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and Vice Chairman of the Greenville County Research & Technological Development Corporation. Mr. Epting holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Mr. Erickson is a retired executive with more than 35 years of experience in the Aerospace and Defense industry, most recently serving as General Manager and Site Director of Lockheed Martin’s 500-person site in Greenville that provides aircraft sustainment, modification and production services. In addition, he was instrumental in bringing the new F-16 Production Line to Greenville. He is an active and engaged member in the community supporting Greenville Tech, Habitat for Humanity, March of Dimes and the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, and holds a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Mr. Case is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 30 years of professional experience in the areas of tax and finance, having worked at an international accounting firm, as Tax Director for a major corporation, at a major national law firm, as CFO for multiple companies and in a variety of finance and tax roles as a consultant. Mr. Case previously served on Greenville County Council where he authored Greenville’s first biennium budget and led the County to a Triple A credit rating. Currently, Mr. Case serves as the elected Auditor of Greenville County and is a member of the South Carolina Association of CPAs, the American Institute of CPAs, and the Government Finance Officers Association. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Bob Jones University and a master’s in Accountancy from Clemson University.

Mr. Chamlee is retired after over 30 years of service to Michelin North America, most recently as Michelin’s Director of State & Local Government Affairs. His extensive community experience includes service as a Greenville County School Board Trustee, as well as on boards including the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Greenville Chamber of Commerce, the South Carolina Civil Justice Coalition, and Rolling Green Village. Mr. Chamlee holds a B.A. from Belmont University, an M.A. from Middle Tennessee State University, and a J.D. from the Cecil Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis.

Mr. Burns is President and CEO of Strategy & Execution Excellence, LLC, a consultancy focused on development, project management and owner’s representation in Greenville. A past board member of the GADC, Mr. Burns has served as Director of Development for Central Realty Holdings, Managing Principal of Design Strategies, and in leadership roles with Carolina First (now TD Bank) and Jacobs Engineering. He holds a bachelor’s degree in both Political Science and Architecture, as well as an M.B.A, from Clemson University, and is active on several community boards.

Mr. Franklin is Client Executive for Ernst & Young in South Carolina, leading key accounts and directing growth initiatives of the global accounting and consulting firm. He previously completed a distinguished 25-year career with Ernst & Young, where he has served both domestic and international clients from offices in France, England, and the Southeastern United States. He also served as the Chief Operations Officer for Bob Jones University for seven years, returning to EY in 2019. He holds a B.S. in Professional Accounting from Bob Jones University and is an active member on several non-profit boards. He has previously served as both a director and chairman for the GADC.

Mr. Tumblin is an experienced construction and land acquisition manager, serving as Land Manager for NVR, Inc., the parent company of Ryan Homes. Active in the Upstate community, he has served on the Greenville County Planning Commission as both director and Chairman, as well as director and Chairman of the Northwood Little League Board. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies, Planning & Administration from the College of Charleston.

Departing the GADC Board of Directors at the end of their respective terms with appreciation for their contributions and service were outgoing GADC Directors Dave Kelley, Dr. Gene Langan and Debbie Nelson.

Since its founding in mid-2001, the GADC team’s efforts have resulted in the announcement of more than 29,000 new jobs and in excess of $5.3 billion in capital investment in Greenville County. To learn more, please visit www.goGADC.com or call (864) 235-2008. To learn more about workforce opportunities, visit www.jobsingreenvillesc.com.