Megan Anderson leads the strategic execution of Charleston Regional Development Alliance’s core economic development programs, including building a global business brand, recruiting foreign direct investment, attracting high-demand talent and implementing the broader regional economic development strategy.

Before joining CRDA as director of global business development in November 2020, Anderson was a senior project manager at Maxis Advisors, a site selection and incentive negotiation firm based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her six years as a senior project manager in global business for the South Carolina Department of Commerce led to more than $1.8 billion in direct investment and roughly 11,000 new jobs across the state. Anderson has developed expertise in the aerospace and aviation sectors as well as headquarters, IT and service sector projects.

She holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in international business and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in international business, both from the University of South Carolina.

Danny Black is the President and CEO of the Southern Carolina Regional Development the non-profit economic development organization serving the counties of Allendale Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper in South Carolina.

Under Black’s leadership in the last 29 years, SCA has spearheaded initiatives to foster industrial recruitment, workforce development, and small business growth. He played a pivotal role in launching a microloan program—with USDA grant support—to help startups and expand companies secure capital. He has also guided regional economic planning efforts, collaborating with top consultants to assess and strategize long-term growth.

Black is an advocate for community development, as evidenced in his promotion of a “leadership pipeline” through programs like USC Salkehatchie’s Leadership Institute. Additionally, he was involved in helping launch SCA’s podcast, “Behind the Golden Shovel,” which explores economic development challenges and successes in the region.

Known for forging strategic partnerships, Black has actively recruited major employers and supported infrastructure investment to improve the quality of life and create jobs in rural South Carolina.

Carl Blackstone earned a degree in business administration from the College of Charleston. His first job was at Walker’s Athletics Club in Washington, N.C., where he learned about working with people and workplace responsibility.

As president and CEO of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Blackstone leads an organization that has prioritized developing a robust workforce pipeline to strengthen talent retention in the Midlands over the past three years. The chamber’s commitment translates into action through programs including Campus Leaders, Launch Cola and the Midlands Business Accelerator.

Blackstone serves on multiple boards including the South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, InvestSC and Main Street District.

“I’ve always believed success isn’t about individual accomplishments,” Blackstone said. “It’s about bringing people together to create something special, meaningful and lasting.”

Blackstone is the father of four daughters, who he credits with shaping his outlook on balance, empathy and resilience.

Jody Bryson is a first-generation college graduate who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Clemson University in 1987 and a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina in 1992. His career in public service began with the 1986 Campbell for Governor Campaign.

As President and CEO of the SC Technology & Aviation Center and Executive Director of the International Transportation Innovation Center, Bryson leads facilities generating a $6.1 billion annual economic impact on South Carolina. Under his leadership, ITIC opened a new three-mile oval track in summer 2025, and SCTAC earned Best in Show at the 2024 Southeastern Economic Development Communications Awards.

Bryson serves on the Francis Marion University Board of Trustees and the Upstate SC Alliance Executive Committee. He was recognized as one of the state’s most influential business leaders and inducted into the Southern Economic Development Hall of Fame in June 2025.

Former Greenville Mayor Bill Workman offered advice that guides his work: “If you ain’t growing, you’re dying.”

John O’Toole leads the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation as executive director, guiding the three-employee organization through challenges of trade policy ambiguity and development costs affecting foreign direct investments. Since September 2024, the organization assisted with $439 million in projects creating 1,560 jobs.

A Skidmore College graduate with a bachelor’s degree in arts, O’Toole earned his master’s degree in business administration from the University of New Haven. He earned the International Economic Development Council Project of the Year in 2021 and Gold Awards in 2015 and 2008.

“No one cares what you know until they know you care,” he says.

His first job delivering newspapers taught him to always deliver and do his best work.

O’Toole serves on the South Coast Cyber Security Board, Hilton Head Island Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Business Education Partnership, and Don Ryan Center for Innovation board.

He defines success as using talents and time to the best of one’s ability.

Colleagues might be surprised he appeared on screen in the 1991 film “Other People’s Money” featuring Gregory Peck.

Katie Collins earned a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising with a minor in Psychology from the University of South Carolina in 2013. She immediately began her career at the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce that same year as Director of Communications & Events, where she managed event planning and strategic initiatives for four years.

Collins advanced to Vice President of Operations in 2017 before joining Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. in 2018. There, she served as Vice President and later Senior Vice President of Strategy & Engagement for nearly six years, overseeing business development and member relations throughout North Carolina. During this period, she completed the Institute for Organization Management program at the University of Georgia.

In 2024, Collins returned to the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce as President/CEO, bringing extensive experience to her leadership role. Her expertise spans event management, strategic planning, customer service and public speaking. Throughout her career in non-profit organization management, Collins has demonstrated strong leadership in chamber operations and community engagement.

David T. Ginn has led the Charleston Regional Development Alliance since 2000, working closely with business, academic and political leaders to shape and execute a comprehensive regional economic development strategy. He directs global business development and marketing initiatives while guiding day-to-day operations for the organization focused on attracting top businesses, talent and entrepreneurs to the Charleston metro market.

Ginn has been with CRDA since its inception, previously serving as executive vice president and project director. A Certified Economic Developer, he maintains strong affiliations with the International Economic Development Council and served as past president of the S.C. Economic Developers Association. He previously held professional economic development and industrial marketing positions in Atlanta and Savannah, including vice president at Savannah Economic Development Authority.

Ginn grew up in the Atlanta area and holds a degree in economics and international business from the University of Southern Mississippi. He also studied at the London School of Economics.

Jerry Howard earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Clemson University and attended the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute. He serves as president of InSite Consulting, an economic development firm with eight employees.

Howard recently led the national launch of the USA Best Sites Program, which he describes as the first of its kind built around manufacturing-focused standards. The initiative addresses what Howard sees as critical industry challenges, including inconsistent site readiness standards and workforce preparation gaps.

“Communities and employers are struggling with same workforce issues they were 40 years ago because traditional educational pathways are not meeting workforce needs,” Howard said.

His career began at an employment agency, where he observed widespread entitlement and insufficient preparedness among job seekers—an experience that shaped his approach to workforce development.

Howard has contributed to numerous organizations, including Saint Anthony’s Padua Food Pantry, the South Carolina Economic Developers Association, Greenville Technical College Board of Advisors and the Greenville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He defines success as building sustainability into processes.

Harry M. Lightsey III leads South Carolina’s economic development efforts as Secretary of Commerce, a position he has held since July 2021.

Lightsey began his career at BellSouth Corporation in 1986 as an attorney handling corporate and securities matters. Over 15 years with BellSouth, he advanced through regulatory and legal leadership positions, serving as general counsel for South Carolina and later as state president for South Carolina, managing 60 staff and an $8 million budget.

Following BellSouth’s merger with AT&T, Lightsey served as president for AT&T’s Southeast region, managing 280 employees across 10 states. He later joined General Motors, where he directed emerging technologies policy for six years, overseeing autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles and cybersecurity initiatives with an $8 million budget.

Before his appointment as Commerce Secretary, Lightsey practiced law with McAngus Goudelock & Courie and served as principal at Hawksbill Advisors, providing strategic counsel on public policy.

Lightsey earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Merle Johnson leads Charleston County Economic Development with a focus on smart, inclusive growth and creating equitable opportunities. Under his leadership, the organization balances sustained economic success with maintaining quality of life for all residents.

Johnson has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and completed the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. Before his career in economic development, he served as a deck watch officer on the U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Sweetgum.

Active in professional leadership, Johnson serves on the SCEDA Board of Directors and the Innovate Fund Advisory Board. He was named to Consultant Connect’s Top 50 Economic Developers in 2025 and earned Top Forty Under 40 recognition from SCBIZ/Charleston Regional Business Journal in 2011.

Johnson emphasizes continuous improvement in communities and individuals. “If a community isn’t growing, it is dying,” he says. “I believe the same thing for people.”