South Carolina Leaders Graduate from 2025 Economic Development Institute

Dozens of professionals graduated from the 2025 South Carolina Economic Development Institute (The Institute), a premier training program advancing economic development leadership across the state.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA), which, in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Commerce (SCDOC), hosts The Institute each year to cultivate state and community leaders committed to fostering prosperity and economic vitality throughout South Carolina.

The Institute offers participants a dynamic and interactive curriculum designed to deepen their understanding of the state’s economic development process. Through immersive sessions, participants gain practical insight into strategies, partnerships and best practices that strengthen South Carolina’s communities.

Now in its 35th year, The Institute conducts four two-day sessions annually in communities across the state. This year’s sessions were held in Beaufort, Hartsville, Clinton and Greenwood.

Participants represent a diverse range of sectors, including local governments, economic development organizations, school boards, utilities and regional partnerships. More than 1,800 municipal and county leaders have completed the program since its inception.
The following graduates comprise the Institute class of 2025:

Sharmane Anderson – Clarendon County
Keith Avery – Newberry Electric Cooperative
Crocker Barker – Red Rock Developments
Emilio Becerra – S.C. Department of Commerce
Jonathan Bennett – County of Lexington Economic Development
Emily Brazinski – Alliance Pickens
Richard Buckingham – S.C. Department of Commerce
Terra Carroll – North Augusta Chamber
Richard Carson – Calhoun County Council
Elmer Castro – readySC
Gwen Chambers – BlacQuity
Lance Davis – City of Union
Albert Davis, III – Darlington County Council
Randy Driggers – City of Lake City
Lauren Ellis – Charleston County Economic Development
Melissa Ferqueron – Laurens County
Leon Fulmer – Newberry County Council
Luke Godbold – City of Cayce
Courtney Hair – Chesterfield County Economic Development
Ryan Hall – SeamonWhiteside
Brenna Hancock – Lowcountry Council of Governments
Jason Hendrix – Town of Batesburg-Leesville
Danny Hogge, Jr. – Darlington County Economic Development Partnership
Jeff Howard – City of Greer
Alaina Klitzsch – Lowcountry Council of Governments
Robbie Lahmon – SCDEW
Lesley Lane – Greenwood Development
Alfonso Leggette – Greenville Area Development Corporation
Dylon Ligon – S.C. Department of Commerce
James Mattox, III – SCDOT
Devarius McDonald – Fairfield County Economic Development
Thomas Monroe – SCDEW
Reagan Osbon – City of Westminster
Will Owens – Terracon Consulants, Inc.
Nicholas Pizzuti – SCDOT
Joel Rogers – Marion County Council
Sneha Sairam – S.C. Department of Commerce
Karl Sease – Newberry County Council
Stephanie Sherman – Apprenticeship Carolina
Sidney Smith – Central SC Alliance
Bowman Still – Barge Design Solutions
Jack Stuart – Town of Lexington
John Thompson – Richland County Government
Russ Touchberry – Town of Summerville
Vijay Tripathi – S.C. Department of Commerce
Austin Walker – Stoll Industries
Brittany Waring – S.C. Department of Commerce
Kip Watson – Charleston County Economic Development
Antron Williams – USDA NRCS
John O. Williams – Berkeley County Economic Development
Elaine Wilmore – Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation
Michael Worley – Alexander County
Meredith Wright – Barnwell County
Douglas Wurster – Charleston County

Registration for the 2026 Institute class is now underway. To learn more, visit www.SCEDA.org.

Since 1965, the S.C Economic Developers’ Association has served as the Voice of Economic Development in the Palmetto State. A professional trade association of more than 600 members with representation from all 46 counties, SCEDA includes local and regional economic developers and allies in the private and public sectors. SCEDA’s mission is to enhance the professional development of its membership and to advocate economic development to benefit the citizens of South Carolina.