Henry "Hal" Johnson, President/CEO

Hal Johnson serves as President and CEO of the Upstate SC Alliance. Johnson joined the UA team in 2005 after six years with the Orangeburg County Development Commission as its Executive Director and three years with the South Carolina Department of Commerce as a Project Manager. In 2003 Johnson was named Economic Developer of the Year by the National Rural Economic Developers Association.

Johnson graduated from the Citadel in 1988 with a BS in Business Administration. He is a 2002 graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma and is a South Carolina Certified Economic Developer. Johnson served on the Board for the South Carolina Economic Developers Association and served as its President in 2005. Johnson is currently serving on the Board for the Southern Economic Development Council.

Blown away by
As a father of two young boys, I have been most blown away by the family environment that exists in the Upstate. I have lived and worked all across the great state of South Carolina for most of my life and there’s no place quite like it. Whether it is the education, outdoor and recreational activities, or the cultural opportunities, I know my family has a multitude of opportunities right at their fingertips.

Jennifer Noel, Vice President, Marketing

Jennifer Noel serves as Vice President of Marketing for the Upstate South Carolina Alliance where she plans and executes all external marketing efforts, including brand development, tradeshow participation, events, collateral production, website, and advertising. Noel joined the UA team in 2003 after 16 years of experience in Marketing and Economic Development.

Jennifer earned her undergraduate and Masters in Business Administration degrees from the University of South Carolina. She also graduated from the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma in 1999. Jennifer is a 2007 graduate of Leadership South Carolina. In 2005, Jennifer was named one of Greenville Magazine’s Best and Brightest Under 35.

Jennifer currently serves on the executive committee of South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA) Board of Directors where she is also the organization’s Treasurer and Public Relations Chairperson.

Blown away by
Originally from New Hampshire and having lived and worked for other communities, I am blown away by the Upstate’s business mentality. In this region, the community and its leaders find ways to get things done rather than waiting for a hand out.

Richard Blackwell, Director, Investor & Public Relations

Richard K. Blackwell serves as Director of Investor and Public Relations for the Alliance for which he is responsible for fundraising, contributor services, event planning and all forms of communications. Blackwell joined the UA in 2007 after working in politics, government relations and local economic development since 1998.

Blackwell holds a M.P.A degree in public administration from the University of South Carolina and a B.A degree in Political Science / Public Relations also from the University of South Carolina. He has finished the Basic Economic Development Course through Georgia Tech, is a graduate of two Leadership Programs and was selected as one of the “Best & Brightest” in Greenville in 2008.

Blown away by
As the only Upstate native on the Alliance Team, I have been blown away the amount of change that has occurred in the region over time and how it has truly blossomed into a wonderful, vibrant melting pot of business and people.

Eric Miller, Director, Business Development

Eric Miller is Director of Business Development for the Upstate SC Alliance. His responsibilities include the development and implementation of the regional business development strategy and managing the staff that supports those efforts.

Eric accepted his position with the Upstate SC Alliance in 2007, after working seven years at the SC Department of Commerce, most recently as a Senior Project Manager. As a Senior Project Manager, Eric was directly responsible for publicly announcing more than 50 companies, totaling more than $800 million dollars in capital investment and creating over 8,000 new jobs.

Eric earned his Bachelor of Science and his Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina School of Law, respectively. He is also a graduate of the University of North Carolina’s Basic Economic Development School, The University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute, and a charter graduate of The South Carolina Advanced Economic Development Symposium.

Blown away by
As the Director of Business Development for the Upstate SC Alliance, I am constantly traveling around the globe to establish relationships with potential business prospects. It seems the more I travel, the more I grow to appreciate the region that I call home. I am most blown away by the business communities that support this growing region and the quality of life that is unlike anywhere else.

Jennifer Miller, Research Manager

Jennifer Miller serves as Research Manger for the UA and is responsible for the management of the Alliance’s marketing tools, research and intern programs. Miller joined the UA in 2006, after working for the Mississippi World Trade Center where she served as the Information Specialist for 2 years.

Miller received her Bachelor of Science with a major in International Business from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is also a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute.

 

Blown away by
Originally from Mississippi, I was first introduced to the area during my second interview with the organization. The more I become accustom to the region, the more I appreciate all it has to offer. From its multitude of outdoor recreational activities to its diversity in restaurants and live entertainment, I am repeatedly blown away.

Jennifer Peggram, Business Development Coordinator

Jennifer Peggram serves as Business Development Coordinator for the Upstate SC Alliance and is of the points of contact for inquiring companies on the Business Development Team. She assists with information requests sent out to the local economic developers of the Upstate region.

Mrs. Peggram holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Middle Tennessee State University with previous work experience in various industry sectors, including time spent on the manufacturing side of Dell Computers in Nashville, TN.

Blown away by
Originally from Tennessee, I stumbled upon this region as my husband and I were searching for Middle School art teacher openings. Sadly, having lived in the south for most of our lives, we had never heard of Greenville or Spartanburg before. We liked the idea of keeping our life in the south, so we gave it a chance and came for the interview. Needless to say, not only did we find the school to be top notch in arts-focused education opportunities, but also a product of the nurturing arts environment, complete with first class museums and festivals. We wondered if we were in fact still in the south. Simply put, we were blown away.

Jacob Hickman, Business Development Coordinator

Jacob Hickman serves as Business Development Coordinator for the Alliance for which he is responsible for identifying companies and establishing relationships in order to secure new business growth and capital investment in the region. Hickman joined the UA in 2010 after working for Select Corporate Housing as a regional sales director.

Hickman received his Bachelor of Arts from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia.

Blown away by
When my company announced in 2007 we were opening a new location in South Carolina, my wife and I were anxious to leave Florida so we jumped on the opportunity. Our first trip to the Upstate was to secure a residence and we did not know what was in store. I was blown away with the quality of life the area has to offer and we decided that the Upstate was the place for us to make our home.

Alicia Knauff, Receptionist / Administrative Assistant

Alicia Knauff serves as the Receptionist for the Upstate SC Alliance and is responsible for administrative services for the office. Knauff joined the Upstate Alliance in 2007. She received her BS as a Paralegal and is a member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

 

 

 

Blown away by
Originally from Pennsylvania, I was blown away by all the Upstate has to offer in terms of quality of life, entertainment, dining and culture.