After nearly a decade as president and CEO of the Greenville Area Development Corporation, the county’s principal economic development arm, Mark Farris is retiring effective Oct. 1, the GADC board announced Aug. 30.
Since taking the organization’s helm in 2014, Farris spearheaded efforts resulting in about $3.9 billion in investments in Greenville County through more than 220 projects that added nearly 18,000 jobs.
The GADC board will launch a national search for a replacement. In the interim, senior vice president Kevin Landmesser will serve as president and CEO.
Farris’ retirement is the culmination of a nearly 40-year career in economic development in Greenville and York counties. He is credited with leading the successful recruitment to the county of such firms as Bosch Rexroth, Michelin, Lockheed Martin, Lima One Capital, GE, Kiyatec and ScanSource, among others.
“Throughout his tenure as president and CEO, Mark Farris has gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure positive economic growth,” said GADC board chairman Jim Burns in a statement announcing the retirement. “Mark has also done an exceptional job of building a team that is one of the most respected economic development organizations in all of America.”
