City of Greenville appoints Sam Konduros as lead of economic development corporation

The city of Greenville has hired Sam Konduros as the first president and chief executive of the economic development corporation (GCEDC) — a non-profit organization established by the city council in June. He will officially be appointed on April 22.

Konduros, a Clemson University and South Carolina Law School graduate brings 20-plus years of regional and statewide economic development experience to the inaugural role, including stints as president of Upstate SC Alliance and the South Carolina Biotechnology Industry Organization (SCBIO), a private economic development consulting agency, and more.

GCEDC is a non-profit group created last year to implement the city’s economic development plan with a primary focus on real estate, development, business, retail, marketing, investor relations, and business recruitment. It is classified as a 501(c)3 with a board of directors and can raise private funds.

Konduros said he plans to prioritize improving quality of life and economic opportunity while raising capital, investing, and forming businesses across the city. Also on his long list are attracting corporate headquarters, city development, financial technology, life sciences, world-class mixed-use retail projects, and assisting startups, small and minority businesses.

Follow Greenville’s plan for 2040

The Lexington, S.C. native envisions spending his first six months developing relationships and growing those existing between Mayor Knox White, city council members, and business owners, all while prioritizing benchmarks set within Greenville’s comprehensive plan for 2040.

At Upstate SC Alliance, Konduros estimates generating $1 million in funding through private sector investments and local government funding over time after starting with $14,000 and nearly tripling revenue at SCBIO during his three-year tenure. He hopes to use existing relationships with the South Carolina Department of Commerce to help grow Greenville’s economic development.

Greenville on the global stage

“We don’t want to look inward, but outward as well,” Konduros said. “Greenville is one of the best cities in the world and investment here helps put Greenville on the global stage; and also, Greenville needs the region around it.”