Sue-Ann (“Susie”) Gerald Shannon serves as the President & CEO of the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness (“SC Competes”), a business-led, nonprofit organization that drives South Carolina’s long-term economic growth through managing select industry clusters and providing the research, network, and resources that clusters require to thrive. Industry clusters… Read More
Stephen Astemborski serves as Director of Engagement & Aerospace Initiatives at the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness (SC Competes), where he leads efforts to strengthen and grow the state’s aerospace industry cluster. With a background in advanced manufacturing, supply chain operations, and military leadership, Stephen brings a systems-level… Read More
Kelly Baird serves as Director of the South Carolina Fraunhofer USA Alliance at the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, bringing more than 30 years of entrepreneurial success, executive leadership, and community engagement to the role. A seasoned business leader, Kelly has launched and led eight successful ventures and gained… Read More
Adrianne Beasley is Director of Strategy and Communications at the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness (SC Competes), where she leads enterprise strategy, engagement, and brand positioning to advance the state’s key industry clusters. With more than a decade of experience spanning aerospace, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and technology, Adrianne… Read More
Jamie DeMent serves as Director of Technology & Cybersecurity Initiatives at the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness (SC Competes), where she leads efforts to grow and connect the state’s technology, cybersecurity, and emerging innovation ecosystem. With a background spanning technology, marketing strategy, and regional economic development, Jamie works… Read More
Nicole was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, and spent the past 12 years living in Connecticut before recently relocating to the Columbia, South Carolina area after getting married. She is excited to join the SC Competes team as Office Administrator and brings more than seven years of experience providing… Read More
As Program Manager, Mendy brings both her passion for relationship building, and experience in event planning to the forefront, as she aids the SC Competes team in producing our variety of in-person engagement opportunities. Mendy joins SC Competes after nearly 10 years in the logistics industry, where she thrived… Read More
Jamie joined the SC Competes team in January 2026 as the Communications Coordinator. She attended Midlands Technical College before continuing her education at the University of South Carolina, where she earned her Bachelor of Public Relations. Jamie brings experience in strategic communications, content development, digital storytelling, and project… Read More
Callie Price serves as Director of Policy and Workforce at the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, where she leads strategic initiatives at the intersection of economic development, workforce readiness, and public policy. In this role, she focuses on advancing statewide competitiveness through policy development and talent pipeline alignment. Read More
Director of SC Logistics Amy earned her BS of Industrial Engineering from Clemson University while participating in the Cooperative Education program with companies like AFL Telecommunications and Milliken. For the first several years of her career Amy was an Industrial Engineering Project Manager designing eCommerce fulfilment centers for… Read More