Jody Bryson receives Order of the Palmetto

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster presented the Order of the Palmetto to Jody Bryson, president and CEO of the South Carolina Technology & Aviation Center in Greenville.

“Throughout his life, Jody Bryson has worked to make South Carolina stronger and more competitive,” McMaster said in a news release. “He has dedicated his career to serving our state and helping create opportunities for future generations. I am proud to present him with the Order of the Palmetto in recognition of his leadership at SCTAC and his role in strengthening one of South Carolina’s key economic assets.”

Since taking the helm of SCTAC in 2007, Bryson has helped turn the 2,600-acre business park into a $6 billion-a-year economic powerhouse fueled by the aerospace, automotive and advanced manufacturing industries, the release stated.

“Jody’s transformative leadership of SCTAC and pivotal role in the growth of South Carolina’s automotive, aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries has had a powerful impact on our economy,” said former U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins, who nominated Bryson for the honor. “This prestigious award is a fitting tribute to his remarkable legacy and vision.”

SCTAC’s origins date back to 1942 when the property served as the Greenville Army Air Base for 20 years before being closed by the U.S. Air Force. In 1964, the land and all remaining assets were purchased by the city and county of Greenville to establish a business park. The joint agency operated as Donaldson Center Industrial Air Park for 46 years.

In 2007, Bryson was hired as executive director. Recognizing the park’s value to South Carolina’s aerospace, automotive and advanced manufacturing industries, his first major initiative was developing a global economic development strategy designed to attract foreign direct investment to the state.

Part of that strategy included rebranding the park from Donaldson Center to the South Carolina Technology & Aviation Center.

Two significant developments have defined Bryson’s leadership at SCTAC. One was helping bring F-16 production and sustainment to Lockheed Martin at SCTAC. The other was repurposing a long-dormant aircraft runway into a world-class automotive proving ground, according to the release.

In 2007, SCTAC had a total economic impact of $1.4 billion. By 2018, that annual impact had nearly doubled to just over $2 billion, according to the release. A December 2024 study found SCTAC’s annual statewide economic impact had grown to $6.1 billion. The study also found the park supports one out of every nine manufacturing jobs in the Upstate, with an average annual wage of $91,456, a 70% wage premium over the average annual wage across all Upstate jobs.

A South Carolina native, Bryson began his career as an executive adviser to Gov. Carroll A. Campbell. Today, he is active in numerous local, regional, national and international economic development organizations, including serving as vice chairman of the executive committee of the Upstate SC Alliance.

In 2012, the South Carolina General Assembly elected Bryson to represent the 4th Congressional District on the Francis Marion University Board of Trustees, where he is serving his third consecutive term.

A first-generation college student, Bryson earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Clemson University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina. He is also a graduate of Leadership South Carolina, Leadership Greenville and a Riley Institute Fellow.

Established by Gov. John C. West in 1971, the Order of the Palmetto is South Carolina’s highest civilian honor. It recognizes a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, service and contributions on a statewide or national level.