Jerre Threatt Named Laurens County Administrator

Threatt brings decades of public service and local leadership to the role

Laurens County Council has unanimously appointed Jerre Threatt as the new Laurens County Administrator. Threatt will officially begin his tenure on November 3, bringing with him more than two decades of experience in local government, nonprofit leadership, planning, and community development.

A familiar face in Laurens County, Threatt currently serves as Corporate and Foundation Relations Officer at Presbyterian College, where his strategic fundraising efforts have led to transformative gifts—including a $1.25 million grant from the Lilly Endowment and a $1 million+ naming gift for the McIntosh Athletics Center. He also played a key role in launching the GRACE Initiative to support students facing acute financial insecurity.

Beyond his professional work at PC, Threatt is deeply engaged in the community. He serves on the executive board of the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, is a board member of the Laurens County Trails Association, and previously chaired the Laurens County Accommodations Tax Grant Committee.

His public service career includes key leadership roles with the City of Clinton and the City of Columbia. As Assistant City Manager in Clinton, he led planning and economic development initiatives, spearheaded revitalization projects, and secured more than $500,000 in state and federal grant funding. Earlier in his career, as City Planner for Columbia, he administered design guidelines for multiple historic districts and oversaw award-winning projects recognized at local, state, and national levels.

Threatt holds two master’s degrees—a Master of Public Administration from Clemson University and a Master of Arts in Historic Preservation from the Savannah College of Art and Design—as well as a bachelor’s degree from Coker College. He also completed the prestigious Yale University Graduate Program in Graphic Design.

Quotes from County Leadership and Threatt

Laurens County Council Chair Jeffrey Carroll expressed confidence in the Council’s decision:

“As a Council we appreciated the opportunity to work with Find Great People for our County Administrator search. Throughout the process, we met and interviewed many qualified candidates for the position, but ultimately we found the best fit for Laurens County in Jerre Threatt. We look forward to working with Jerre as we continue to improve the quality of life in Laurens County,” Carroll said.

In an interview with The Buzz, Threatt reflected on the personal values and mentors that shaped his career and prepared him for this new role:

“I am excited and humbled to begin this new journey with Laurens County. I grew up on a farm in a rural community of less than 500 people. My parents were blue-collar workers who never finished high school, but they taught me the importance of hard work, honesty, and integrity. I’ve also been fortunate to have mentors throughout my career who prepared me for this opportunity. Every step has led me to this point, and I am eager to serve the people of Laurens County to the absolute best of my ability.”

Threatt emphasized that his vision for the role is rooted in collaboration and transparency:

“I am truly honored and grateful that County Council has placed their trust in me to serve the people of Laurens County. I am committed to leading with integrity, honesty, and transparency in every decision we make. Together, I believe we can build on the county’s strong foundation and move forward with a shared vision that ensures our residents, organizations, and businesses will continue to thrive. This community is my home, and I look forward to what the future holds.”

Looking Ahead

Threatt’s appointment marks a new chapter for Laurens County as it navigates growth, development, and infrastructure challenges. His deep roots in the community and proven leadership in both government and nonprofit sectors position him well to lead the county into its next phase.

He will officially assume the role of Laurens County Administrator on November 3.