Warner named CEO of Partnership
February 22, 2010
By CHRIS TRAINOR/ ctrainor@indexjournal.com
Now that was an extended audition.
After leading the organization in an interim capacity for more than a year, Mark Warner has officially been named CEO of local economic development firm Partnership Alliance.
Warner, 54, a Ninety Six native and Lander University graduate, has been serving as the partnership’s interim executive in charge of operations since former CEO Jay West resigned in January 2009. Before taking on that interim role, Warner was the Partnership’s Workforce Champion.
Partnership Alliance board chairman R. Thornwell Dunlap III said selecting Warner as the firm’s CEO on a full-time basis required a thorough process.
“We engaged professional search firm that we had actually used in the past,” Dunlap said. “Their scope of work was to first review our strategic plan that was adopted a little over a year ago, then align the positions, starting with the CEO position, of the Partnership with the strategic plan and the objectives in the plan.”
Dunlap said the board has been pleased with Warner’s performance in the area of workforce development. He said the board has gotten “very positive feedback” from numerous entities who have worked with Warner as he has served as the Partnership’s interim leader for the last year.
Dunlap noted Warner has worked well in the areas of recruiting new business, dealing with expansion opportunities with existing industries and working with the appropriate constituents to bring such projects together.
Warner said he is committed to executing Partnership’s strategic plan for economic development. He said part of that is expanding the agency’s existing business program.
“A key piece of the strategic plan was, ‘How do we leverage what is going on at the Research Park and the Genetic Center to move Greenwood forward from an economic development standpoint?’” Warner said. “Another key piece is to leverage our resources with the Department of Commerce and the Upstate South Carolina Alliance on our business recruitment efforts and lead generation efforts.
“The strategic plan is a pretty intensive document. When we look at the elements that we think that we really need to hone in and focus on in the next three to five years, those are probably some of the biggest efforts.”
Warner said workforce development and talent development will also continue to be “key pieces.”
While he acknowledged 2009 was a tough year in economic development, Warner said there was some progress locally.
“We have had, thankfully, some local businesses that have done well enough to secure some expansions,” he said. “Some of those have been consolidation projects, which means someone else is losing that business somewhere else. But some of it has been new expansion. It has been a little bit of both.”
Greenwood business leader honored by Dept. of Commerce and legislative leaders
February 1, 2010
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Allen F. Creighton was honored yesterday as an Ambassador for Economic Development by the Department of Commerce and legislative leaders as part of South Carolina’s 19th Annual Industry Appreciation Week. The ceremony took place in Columbia on Tuesday, January 26 at the Statehouse and highlighted 48 individuals from 46 counties for their exceptional efforts to bolster community and economic development activities in South Carolina.
“While improving our South Carolina’s business climate and developing a skilled workforce have been priorities for our administration, these efforts alone are not enough. The help and efforts of community and business leaders in every corner of the state are critically important and today we say thank to these ambassadors for economic development for their efforts to create jobs and economic opportunity in South Carolina,” said Gov. Mark Sanford.
Allen Creighton is general counsel and director of public relations for FUJIFILM Manufacturing U.S.A. Inc. Mr. Creighton has performed significant work in the field of International Law throughout his career. Prior to his move to Fujifilm, he held positions at McNair Law Firm in Columbia and Gudeon & Ferrell in London, U.K. He currently assists Fujifilm with their operations in Greenwood handling legal, regulatory, compliance, government relations and community relations issues for the company. In the community, Mr. Creighton serves on the boards of various organizations including the Japan America Association of South Carolina, Chapin Rotary Sunrise, Upstate Forever, the Greenwood Partnership Alliance, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Salem United Methodist Church. Mr. Creighton is also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones.
“Our state’s existing businesses are one of our most valuable economic development tools,” House Speaker Bobby Harrell said. “Job creation and industry promotion begins on the ground level and is handled mostly in the private sector by these business leaders. I’d like to thank all our Ambassadors for Economic Development for their effective leadership and for proving that our best resources lie not in the hands of government but reside in the private sector.”
“Businesses small and large have contributed greatly to South Carolina’s economy with investments, job creation and community involvement. This is a week to recognize the contributions of businesses and community leaders for their continued commitment to growing economic opportunity in South Carolina. These ambassadors have dedicated their energy and gone the extra mile to enhance our communities and make South Carolina a better place to live and work. We congratulate each ambassador and thank them for their efforts,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
Each year the Department of Commerce joins local communities to thank businesses for their vital contributions to South Carolina’s economy. The Department of Commerce kicks off Industry Appreciation Week each year by recognizing individuals throughout South Carolina as Ambassadors for Economic Development. These individuals include local leaders from the private sector representing a variety of businesses and economic development organizations committed to securing new jobs and investment in their communities.
