Board of Directors Investors Contact Us

David Ginn

, President & CEO | 843.760.4524 | dginn@crda.org

In this leadership role, David possesses a broad perspective on the Charleston region's dynamic business climate. Under his direction, the Alliance has assisted hundreds of companies with competitive expansion or location projects, and facilitated the development of a comprehensive, cluster-based regional economic development strategy.

Prior to being named president and CEO in 2000, David served as the organization's executive vice president and project director. He maintains keen awareness of current issues in economic development, thanks to affiliations with the International Economic Development Council, the S.C. Economic Developers Association and CoreNet Global. He has also held professional economic development and marketing positions in Atlanta and Savannah, GA.

David grew up in the Atlanta area, and holds a degree in economics and international business from the University of Southern Mississippi. He also studied abroad at the London School of Economics. He and his wife, Jean Marie, live in Mount Pleasant with their two young children, Catherine and Davis.

Stephen C. Warner

, Business Development / Marketing Strategy | 843.760.4539 | swarner@crda.org

Steve's role at the Alliance involves building personal relationships with site location consultants, business executives and a growing network of public- and private-sector entities. As such, he is often the first point of contact for companies interested in learning more about business opportunities in the Charleston region. With his statewide connections - as well as a deep understanding of the site selection process - he can quickly pull together the right team of experts to address the most challenging issues.

Steve's career includes more than 20 years in the marketing communications field, where he provided brand planning services for such global giants as Ritz-Carlton, Dow Corning, CNN and Coca-Cola. Immediately prior to joining the Alliance team, he was partner in the Atlanta marketing firm Sawyer Riley Compton.

A native of Ninety Six, South Carolina, Steve is a College of Charleston graduate with a degree in Business Administration. He and his wife, Jan, live in Charleston.

Heyward Horton

, Business Development / Senior Project Management | 843.760.4526 | hhorton@crda.org

As a 20-year veteran of Charleston's economic development efforts, Heyward has an intimate knowledge of the region's business environment plus the connections and expertise to get things done. He provides hands-on guidance for all Alliance projects, offering realistic solutions to the most complex business challenges.

During his tenure with the Alliance, Heyward has assisted with expansions and locations for global manufacturers, corporate headquarters, worldwide distribution companies and technical R&D centers. While his clients are diverse, his approach is consistently one of skilled facilitation.

A native of Belton, South Carolina, he has lived in Charleston since 1978. He attended the College of Charleston and is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute, University of Oklahoma-Norman. He and his wife, Lee, live on James Island with their son, Heyward, Jr.

Merle Johnson

, Business Development / Project Management | 843.760.4525 | merlej@crda.org

Merle joined the Alliance in 2006, and has since developed a strong network of government and private-sector contacts plus a keen understanding of the Charleston area business climate. From his previous work in the technology sector, Merle possesses real-world insight as to the unique challenges faced by technology-driven businesses. He applies that expertise in facilitating the right connections for companies interested in expanding or locating in the Charleston region.

Merle served five years in the United States Coast Guard and holds a bachelor's degree from the Coast Guard Academy in math and computer science. His career includes managing projects in the semiconductor industry, the military and homeland security.

Since relocating from Rock Hill, South Carolina, Merle and his wife, Dani, have made their home in Ladson with their two young boys, Dominic and Donovan.

Karen Kuchenbecker

, Marketing Communications & Strategy | 843.760.4534 | karenk@crda.org

Karen joined the Alliance team in 1999 and has since provided strategic oversight of the Alliance's communications program. In addition to staying apprised of developments throughout the three-county region, she's involved with a multi-tiered program of public relations, advertising, electronic communications, sales literature and direct marketing.

Karen's previous experience includes directing both business-to-business and consumer accounts for communications firms in North Carolina and Charleston, plus serving as regional marketing manager for a national service firm. She holds a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

She currently serves on the board of the S.C. World Trade Center, is a member of the Charleston chapter of the American Marketing Association, and is involved with the South Carolina Economic Developers Association. She and her husband, Todd, live on James Island.

Virginia Perry

, Marketing Services | 843.760.4522 | vperry@crda.org

Virginia relocated to the Charleston area in 2007, bringing with her a solid background in marketing. In her role with the Alliance, Virginia manages the organization's website, e-marketing programs and sales support materials as well as plans special events for clients and allies.

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Virginia holds a degree in marketing from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Prior to joining the Alliance, she held a marketing position with Cottage Living magazine in Birmingham, and was a virtual personal assistant for local Charleston company, Longerdays.com.

She is a member of Charleston Young Professionals, as well as the Charleston American Marketing Association. Virginia resides in Charleston.

Shelley Handler-Gordon

, Executive Assistant / Office Management | 843.760.4521 | shandler@crda.org

Shelley joined the Alliance in 2008 to manage the organization's daily communications and office operations. She utilizes her strong organizational, computer and communications skills in her role as key contact for the Alliance President, Board of Directors and staff members. She also coordinates special projects such as off-site meetings, retreats and receptions.

Canadian-born and raised, Shelley first came to the Charleston area in 1994. After moves to Virginia and back to Canada, she has called Charleston "home" since 1998. In addition to her 12 years of business administration, office management and event coordinating experience, Shelley, for the past 8 years, owned a support services company which provided personal and administrative assistance to corporate executives, physicians and athletes.

Shelley and her husband, James, make their home in Summerville. They have 4 children; Keon, Jalen, Jordan, and Jake.

Tara N. Spicer

, Investor and Community Relations | 843.760.4523 | tspicer@crda.org

With a strong background in corporate development, Tara serves a critical role in keeping Alliance investors, regional stakeholders and the local community apprised of the Alliance and its activities. In addition to directing the organization’s investor and community relations programs, she is closely involved with the development of new strategic initiatives.

Tara is a native of the Charleston area and has strong ties to the local community. She worked for S.C. Governor Mark Sanford during his 2006 re-election campaign and also managed the 2006 National Governors Association meeting held in Charleston. Prior to that, she spent time working in national politics on Capital Hill and has owned her own business, Palmetto Development Strategies.

Tara holds a B.A. in Political Science from the College of Charleston and resides with her husband, Jeff, in Mount Pleasant.