The document provides information about a European mission from April 18-22, 2016 to Central South Carolina, USA. It includes details about the region such as its location and access to ports, universities, and major highways. It also lists the 23 members of the delegation with their names, titles, and brief bios summarizing their relevant experience.

1. EUROPEAN
MISSION 18 - 22 APRIL
2 0 1 6

2. EUROPEAN MISSION | 2
ABOUT CENTRAL SOUTH CAROLINA USA
Central SC Region
is composed of the
state capital (City
of Columbia) and
nine counties
Strategic United
States East coast
location and time
zone, bordered by
the Atlantic Ocean
Centrally located
between New
York City, NY and
Miami, FL, and
within access to
approximately
66% of the U.S.
population
Access to numerous
universities,
technicalinstitutions,
the worker
apprenticeship, and
customized worker
training programs
including the longest
running (readySC™)
in the U.S.
Region is criss-
crossed by four
major interstates
with ease of access
to coastal ports
EUROPEAN MISSION | 2

3. EUROPEAN MISSION | 3EUROPEAN MISSION | 3
250 MI/402 KM
500 MI/805 KM
NEW YORK
MIAMI
77
77
95
95
95
20
20
26
85
85
75
75
75
SOUTH
CAROLINA
CHARLOTTE
ATLANTA
NASHVILLE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MOBILE
CHARLESTON
CHICAGO
DETROIT
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
COLUMBIA
750 MI/1 207 KM
95
95
26
26
20
77
85
20
385
FAIRFIELD
NEWBERRY
LEXINGTON
RICHLAND
KERSHAW
CALHOUN
ORANGEBURG
CLARENDON
COLUMBIA
M
CCORM
ICK
Port of Charleston
Port of Savannah
Port of Georgetown
Charleston
Charlotte Douglas
International
Columbia
Metropolitan
Airport
Greenville/Spartanburg
GEORGIA
NORTH CAROLINA
SOUTH CAROLINA

4. EUROPEAN MISSION | 4

5. EUROPEAN MISSION | 5
CENTRAL SOUTH CAROLINA USA
DELEGATION

6. EUROPEAN MISSION | 6
MIKE BRIGGS
President and CEO
Central SC Alliance
mbriggs@centralsc.org | 803.733.1144
• President and CEO of Central SC Alliance since 1997
• Involved in regional investment projects totaling more than
$11 billion and 64,000 jobs over the past 19 years with expertise in
economic development consulting, project management, marketing,
and product development
• Previously involved in executive management of coating
technologies international, a mid-market manufacturer with
five locations in North America. Positions included operations,
administration, finance, logistics, and human resources

7. EUROPEAN MISSION | 7
DAVID KINGVice President Marketing
Central SC Alliance
dking@centralsc.org | 803.733.1151
• A native of South Carolina with over 27 years of regional economic
development and experience
• Founding staff member of the Central SC Alliance in 1994
• National Committee Member, Organization for International
Investment FDI Frontlines Coalition
• During his tenure with the Central SC Alliance, over $11 billion in
capital investment and 64,000 new jobs have been announced

8. EUROPEAN MISSION | 8
TRACY McMILLINVice President for Economic Development and Operations
Central SC Alliance
tmcmillin@centralsc.org | 803.733.2517
• More than 18 years of service engaged in all areas of economic
development including: project management, marketing, research
and operations
• Has worked directly with over 50 companies from a broad range of
industries to locate and expand in the Central SC region resulting in
more than $1.4 billion in investment and 4,100 jobs
• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance & Business Administration from the
University of South Carolina Honors College in Columbia, SC

9. EUROPEAN MISSION | 9
SÉRGIO APARICIOEconomic Business Development Manager
Office of Economic Development, City of Columbia
seaparicio@columbiasc.net | 803.429.6435
• Experienced marketing professional with over six years managing
Economic Development Programs
• Responsible for providing expert advice, support and planning of
high-profile marketing initiatives, programs and projects relating to
business recruitment and development
• As part of his diverse international background, he has lived and
traveled in Europe, North, Central and South America and served in
various former positions dealing with international firms

10. EUROPEAN MISSION | 10
JULIAN BURNSCouncil Chairman
Kershaw County
julian.burns@kershaw.sc.gov | 803.425.1501
• Four decades as an Army officer with worldwide assignments,
retiring in 2005 as a General Officer
• Nine years as Vice President of BAE, Inc. with businesses in USA, UK,
Sweden, South Africa, South America, Turkey and other international
customers. $8 billion order book
• Owner of J B Burns, LLC with offices in Kershaw County and
Washington. Member of Spectrum Group
THE HONORABLE

11. EUROPEAN MISSION | 11
RYAN COLEMANDirector
Office of Economic Development, City of Columbia
rtcoleman@columbiasc.net | 803.734.2700
• Employed with the City of Columbia for 10 years
• Graduate of the South Carolina Economic Developers’ School and
has received his designation as a Certified Economic Developer
(CED) from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
in January of 2013
• Graduate of the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC

12. EUROPEAN MISSION | 12
WALKER COLEMANManaging Partner
K & L Gates
walker.coleman@klgates.com | 843.579.5627
• South Carolina native
• South Carolina office Managing Partner and firm Management
Committee member in the only global law firm in SC
• Practice focuses primarily on representing SC-based companies
that operate globally and foreign companies that operate in SC
• Has represented domestic and foreign companies in virtually every
business industry

13. EUROPEAN MISSION | 13
DAMON JETERMember
Richland County Council
jeterd@rcgov.us | 803.331.3559
• Elected member of Richland County Council since November 2004
• Member of Richland County Council Economic Development
Committee
• Graduated from the University of South Carolina and completed
additional studies at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
THE HONORABLE

14. EUROPEAN MISSION | 14
EDWARD KLUITERSShareholder
Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
ekluiters@hsblawfirm.com | 803.540.7955
• A native of the Netherlands and a long-time resident of South
Carolina
• Practice focuses primarily on assisting U.S. and foreign-owned
businesses with locating, expanding and operating in South Carolina
• Works closely with state and local development authorities and
governments in advising businesses and industries on various
economic incentives, site acquisition, tax-exempt and conventional
financing, and addressing business, contract, and other issues as
they arise
• Represents lenders and borrowers in financing and real estate
matters

15. EUROPEAN MISSION | 15
GEORGE KOSINSKIExecutive Director
Clarendon County Development Board
gkosinski@clarendoncountygov.org | 803.435.8813
• Over 10 years of Economic Development related experience
• Responsible for the recruitment of over 4,200 jobs and $900 million
in capital investment
• Certified South Carolina Economic Developer (SCCED)
• Holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

16. EUROPEAN MISSION | 16
ANDRÉ LEBLANCManaging Director
South Carolina DOC Europe Office
aleblanc@sccommerce.com | +49 (0) 89 2919170
• Appointed Managing Director of the State of South Carolina Europe
Office in March of 2015
• In 10 years with the South Carolina Department of Commerce,
a Cabinet Agency of State Government and the State’s leading
economic development body, has served as a Senior Project
Manager, International Trade Manager, and Director of the State
Office in Canada
• Holds degrees in both Economics and Administration, as well as
industry certifications in Pharmaceutical Marketing, and Economic
Development

17. EUROPEAN MISSION | 17
PAUL LIVINGSTONMember, Richland County Council
Director of Community Development, Midlands Technical College
livingstonp@rcgov.us | 803.765.1192
• Member of Richland County Council for more than 20 years
• Serves on several major regional economic development boards and
is a former Vice-Chairman of the Central South Carolina Economic
Development Alliance
• Holds both graduate and undergraduate degrees from the
University of South Carolina
THE HONORABLE

18. EUROPEAN MISSION | 18
GREGG ROBINSONExecutive Director
Orangeburg County Development Commission
grobinson@ocdc.com | 803.536.3333
• Over 25 years of service in all areas of economic development
including international project management, marketing, research,
and operations
• Over 10 years as the Executive Director of the Orangeburg County
Development Commission, and has assisted in the recruitment of
over $1 billion in capital investment and more than 1,700 jobs
• Holds Master's Degrees and a Bachelor of Arts from the University
of South Carolina; Bryce Harlow Institute of Business and
Governmental Affairs graduate; South Carolina Certified Economic
Developer (SCCED)

19. EUROPEAN MISSION | 19
JEFF RUBLEDirector
Richland County Economic Development Office
jruble@rcgov.us | 803.576.2043
• Oversees project development team responsible for recruiting and
sustaining business and industry
• Previously served as Senior Vice President for Global Business
Development with the South Carolina Power Team
• Spent 12 years recruiting companies to the Columbia region for the
Central SC Alliance
• Serves as the immediate past president of the South Carolina
Economic Developer's Assocation, and serves on the boards of
Accelerate SC and the Columbia USC Incubator

20. EUROPEAN MISSION | 20
CHRISTIANE SEMBRITZKI
Senior Advisor
South Carolina DOC Europe Office
csembritzki@sccommerce.com | +49 (0) 89 2919170
• Serves as Senior Advisor for the State of South Carolina Europe
Office since 2006
• Responsible for promoting South Carolina's economic development
by attracting new European companies in the South Carolina market
• Extensive experience in automotive and capital goods sector
through various International functions for the BMW Group and as
Senior Consultant

21. EUROPEAN MISSION | 21
SARA SVEDBERGEmployment and Labor Attorney
Nexsen Pruett, LLC
ssvedberg@nexsenpruet.com | 803.540.2156
• Native of Stockholm, Sweden
• Advises businesses on state and federal employment law
matters, and advises federal contractors on their legal compliance
responsibilities
• Previously worked as a judicial law clerk at the United States District
Court, District of South Carolina
• Holds a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School
of Law and a Bachelor’s Degree (Fil. Kand.) in Journalism from the
University of South Carolina

22. EUROPEAN MISSION | 22
CHUCK WHIPPLEDirector
Lexington County Economic Development Office
cwhipple@lex-co.com | 803.785.8147
• More than 35 years of economic development and finance related
experience
• Directly involved in more than $10 billion in various finance and
economic development transactions across South Carolina
• Executive Committee Member and Chairman of the Southern
Economic Development Council; a 17 state, 1,100-member, economic
development trade organization

23. EUROPEAN MISSION | 23
NOTES

24. South Carolina
Department of Commerce
Europe Office
Almeida Palais
Brienner Straße 14
80333 München, Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 89 2919170
www.sccommerce.com
Central SC Alliance
1201 Main Street
Suite 100
Columbia, South Carolina
USA 29201
Tel: 803.733.1131
www.centralsc.org