Robert D. Long, CEcD

Director

Profile

Robert Long is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) with more than 25 years of experience in economic and community development in South Carolina and Georgia. Robert was recently awarded as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2022 by Consultant Connect; one of only three economic developers recognized from South Carolina.

Robert began his career in economic development in January 1995 after graduating with a MS in Demography from Florida State University in December 1994. However, Mr. Long was born and raised in Aiken County, SC, where he graduated from Silver Bluff High School and then from USC Aiken with a BA in Sociology in May 1993.

Robert started his career with the Aiken/Edgefield Economic Development Partnership from 1995-2008, where he spent 13 years including the last seven as the Assistant Director. Mr. Long then worked for four years as the first Executive Director of the Darlington County Economic Development Partnership from 2008 until 2012.

Next, Mr. Long spent almost a decade in Metro Atlanta. He took a position as the Economic Development Director of Gwinnett County, GA, from 2012-2015 and then as the Vice President of Economic Development for the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce from 2015-2020.

Robert was delighted to return to South Carolina as the Director of Chester County Economic Development in October 2020. He has been married for 20+ years to his wife, Tara, and they have two daughters: Zoe and Sophie. In his spare time, Robert enjoys traditional archery and sporting clays.

Recognition

Awarded by Consultant Connect as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2022.

Experience

  • Aiken/Edgefield Economic Development Partnership | Assistant Director | 1995-2008
  • Darlington County Economic Development Partnership | Executive Director | 2008-2012
  • Gwinnett County, GA, Economic Development Department | Director | 2012-2015
  • Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce | Vice President of Economic Development | 2015-2020
  • Chester County Economic Development | Director | 2020-Present

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of South Carolina Aiken
  • Master of Science in Demography from Florida State University

Kris Phillips, J.D.

Assistant Director

Profile

After a brief stint as a professional golfer, followed by six years in finance, Kris Phillips began his economic development career as a site selection consultant in 2012 at Maxis Advisors. In 2015, he co-founded Global Growth Advisors, a boutique site selection firm where he was a Principal through the end of 2020. In his time as a site selection consultant, Kris worked on economic development projects in 37 states that combined for more than $1 billion in capital investment and the creation of more than 2,500 jobs.

In February 2021, Kris transitioned to the public sector, where he could apply his knowledge of the site selection process towards positively impacting the local Chester County community. Kris originally joined Chester County Economic Development as a Project Manager, before accepting a promotion to Assistant Director in July of 2021.

Since joining the Chester County Economic Development team, Kris has contributed to project wins that combined total more than $2 billion in capital investment and more than 1,000 jobs.

Kris graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from Clemson University in 2001 and then proceeded to earn a Juris Doctor degree from Charlotte School of Law in 2013.

In his spare time, Kris still loves being on or around the golf course. This includes playing the game (although not as well as he used to), cheering on his son who plays competitively and running junior golf tournaments.

Experience

  • Maxis Advisors | Site Selection Consultant | 2012-2015
  • Global Growth Advisors | Co-Founder | 2015-2021
  • Chester County Economic Development | Project Manager | February-July 2021
  • Chester County Economic Development | Assistant Director | July 2021-Present

Education

  • Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from Clemson University
  • Juris Doctor from Charlotte School of Law

Lawanna J. Thompson

Administrative Assistant

Profile

Lawanna was born and raised in Chester, SC, and graduated from Chester Senior High School in 1978. She began her career with Chester County in 1989 as a Clerk in the Clerk of Courts Office and then transitioned to the Chester County Emergency Management Agency in 1999. Lawanna has worked for Chester County for more than 30 years, having worked with Chester County Economic Development since its creation in 2004.

Experience

  • Chester County Clerk of Court | Clerk | 1989-1999
  • Chester County Emergency Management Agency | 1999-2004
  • Chester County Economic Development | Administrative Assistant | 2004-Present

Education

  • Attended University of South Carolina Lancaster