S.C. Department of Commerce announces new Office of Innovation Managing Director

COLUMBIA, SC – The S.C. Department of Commerce announced that Laura Corder has joined the agency as Managing Director of the Office of Innovation. Corder will lead the agency’s strategic innovation efforts and oversee the implementation of the South Carolina Innovation Plan, which was released earlier this year. She will also manage the S.C. Innovation Hub – an online tool that connects individuals and businesses within the technology sector.

A veteran communications professional, Corder joins the agency from Cyberwoven, where she acted as account manager for a diverse portfolio of clients. Previously, she served as Director of Communications for the University of South Carolina Office of Economic Engagement and the USC / Columbia Technology Incubator.

A native of Rock Hill, Corder holds a bachelor’s degree in visual communications from the University of South Carolina.

About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. In three of five years, IBM-Plant Location International reports ranked South Carolina first in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign investment, per capita. The state won the Gold Shovel Award and the Project of Year Award from Area Development magazine in 2012, 2014 and 2015. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.