The Upstate Alliance announced the resignation of President and CEO Hal Johnson purposely omitting his name in the announcement by a public relations company.
Johnson’s name was noticeably omitted in the announcement that was distributed by a Greenville public relations company. The vagueness of the announcement coupled with the 8-year tenure of Johnson gives all the indications of a public relations crisis.
Johnson did not return calls from GreerToday.com.
Upstate business leaders deferred comment until they knew more about the resignation and circumstances surrounding it. The resignation is effective Dec. 31.
Johnson joined Upstate Alliance 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
The announcement, in its entirety reads:
“The Upstate SC Alliance, a 10-county economic development organization designed to market the Upstate region, has announced today the resignation of their President and CEO, effective December 31, 2013.
The Upstate Alliance has a succession plan in place that plan is being fully executed. During this transition period, the staff will continue their exemplary efforts to market and position the Upstate for economic growth with full support of the organization’s officers and Executive Board of Directors.
Since 2007, the Upstate SC Alliance has secured more than $9 billion in capital investment and helped create more than 32,000 jobs in the Upstate. These successes have enabled the Alliance to continue promoting the assets of the Upstate, encouraging and supporting ongoing economic investment in Upstate South Carolina.
“The Upstate Alliance will remain dedicated to positioning and marketing the Upstate for success as we seek economic investment in our region,” said Jim Evers, Chairman of the Executive Board of Directors. “We are look forward to expanding the impact of our organization and strengthening partnerships throughout the Upstate.”