SwampFox

Columbia Economic Development Firm Adds Two to Provide Support for Two New Projects

Columbia Economic Development Firm Adds Two to Provide Support for Two New Projects
Additions will empower communications and development efforts for rapidly expanding projects

Columbia, SC - January 4, 2012 Sagacious Partners, an award-winning Columbia-based economic development management and consulting firm, announced the addition today of two new employees in response to rapidly increasing demand for its services from current clients New Carolina and EngenuitySC.

Franklin Buchanan joins the firm as its Director of Business Development, acting as the main liaison between the firm and its clients. Frank Avery joins the firm as a project manager, overseeing strategic communications, marketing, and outreach events for the firm and client projects.

The two will provide support as New Carolina launches the TDL Council, a state-wide effort to consolidate public sector and private sector interests in transportation, distribution, and logistics, and as EngenuitySC launches its latest initiative, NuHub, a collaborative group of public, private, higher education, and workforce development stakeholders working to maximize economic and job creation opportunities for the nuclear industry in the Midstate region of South Carolina.

Buchanan, a South Carolina native and graduate of the University of South Carolina, comes with six years experience in development and sales in both the private and public sectors. He will foster current client relations while cultivating new investment opportunities for the firm and each of its clients.

Before joining Sagacious Partners, Buchanan spent four years with Aerotek, a provider of technical, professional, and industrial staffing services, where he quickly rose from Recruiter to Senior Recruiter to Account Manager. Prior to his time at Aerotek, Buchanan worked as a director and manager on a number of local and national political campaigns in South Carolina. In addition to his professional service, he currently serves on the board of directors for the the American Lung Association and is a member of the Rotary Club of the Vista Nights.

Avery joins the firm with two years experience in community and economic development, particularly in alternative energy. He will focus on strategic communications for the firm and its clients. A transplant from Atlanta and graduate of the University of South Carolina, Avery has risen quickly in the Columbia community after working with a number of prominent development organizations in the region and state.

Before joining Sagacious Partners, he served as Program Coordinator for Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) where he assisted in organizing over 1500 volunteers through Columbia’s most prominent public events, including the annual World Beer Festival, the USMC Mud Run, and the annual St. Patty’s Day celebration in Five Points. Prior to his time with COR, Avery worked with the statewide SC Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Alliance (SCHFCA) where he participated in the development and execution of the annual Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition. He also served as a Program Assistant at the Green Quad Learning Center for Sustainable Futures at the University of South Carolina in 2009.

“We are excited to continue expanding our team,” said Neil McLean, founder and managing partner of Sagacious Partners. “Both Buchanan and Avery bring excellent skill sets and unique, vibrant backgrounds that will enhance the ability of our firm to deliver exceptional services to our clients.”

In addition to the firm’s latest projects, Buchanan and Avery will contribute to Sagacious Partners’ current efforts with award-winning clients EngenuitySC and New Carolina.

About Sagacious Partners
Sagacious Partners, LLC, is an award-winning Columbia, SC-based economic development firm dedicated to helping regions and states around the U.S. build robust, innovation-driven economies. The firm brings over 40 years of experience providing top tier strategies, technology, economic development, and implementation experience to clients. The firm’s expertise includes next generation economic development strategy, program management, assessment of partnerships and alliances, economic networks, and technology-based economic development. Clients include municipalities, universities, and regional and statewide economic development organizations that share a common goal to create a more prosperous region. Learn more at www.sagaciouspartners.com.

# # #