The Greenville Area Development Corp. has named Jim Burns as chairperson of its board of directors for 2022-23.
Joining Burns as officers are Beverly Haines as vice chair, Justin Bagwell as secretary and Barry Leasure as treasurer, according to a GADC news release. Also, GADC has announced that business leaders William Moon and Charles Piszczor have been appointed by Greenville County Council to three-year terms on the board, beginning July 1, 2022. In addition, outgoing board Chairman Don Erickson and Leasure were both reappointed to serve second terms on the GADC Board. “Since its founding in 2001, GADC efforts have created more than $55 billion in economic impact to Greenville County and accounted for over 30,000 jobs, working closely with economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, the private sector and state and local governments to realize these incredible results,” Willis Meadows, chairperson of the Greenville County Council, said in the release. “County Council appreciates these talented leaders who help to guide our County’s economic development efforts, while increasing per capita income, capital investment, and opportunity for all members of the community.”
Burns is chief operating officer of Hartness Development and the former president and CEO of Strategy & Execution Excellence LLC, a consultancy focused on development, project management and owner’s representation in Greenville, the release stated. Burns has also 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. Burns has a bachelor’s degree in political science and architecture, as well as an MBA, from Clemson University, and is active on several community boards. He also has previously served on Greenville County Council.
Haines is a health care consultant and former president and chief nursing officer of the Patewood Hospital and Medical Campus of Prisma Health. She has a master’s degree in nursing education with emphasis in Nursing Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Duquesne University.
Bagwell is senior corporate counsel with Michelin North America after previously serving as vice president and corporate counsel of MidCountry Financial Corp., a financial services holding company headquartered in Greenville. Bagwell has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of South Carolina Honors College, and a J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Leasure is managing partner of the GreerWalker CPAs Greenville office. He has more than 30 years of experience providing tax and business advisory services to clients of all sizes across a wide spectrum of industries and consulting with international and domestic companies. He is active in professional organizations including the Urban Land Institute, CFMA South Carolina, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and its South Carolina chapter. As a volunteer, he is active with the Peace Center, United Way of Greenville County, and a Board Member of Upstate Alliance.
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.
Moon is CEO of Moon & Associate, Inc. and has an MAI designation as a certified appraiser and member of the Appraisal Institute. He is a graduate of University of South Carolina Upstate, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics.
Piszczor is a former director of CME Group, Inc. where he specialized in commodity research and product development.
The GADC is charged with promoting and enhancing quality of life in Greenville County by facilitating job growth and investment.
Reach Jason at 864-568-7570.