Since 2007, Jody Bryson has led the remarkable transformation of SCTAC into South Carolina’s largest and most successful business park. Recognizing the unique combination of having the state’s largest general aviation airport surrounded by 1200 acres of industrial property, one of his first orders of business upon becoming CEO was shifting the park’s focus from simply meeting the needs of local business to one that successfully competes in the global economy.
Under Jody’s visionary leadership, SCTAC has experienced tremendous growth; currently serving more than 100 diverse companies and generating an annual statewide economic impact in excess of $6 billion. Among his most gratifying accomplishments is the designation of SCTAC as the Global Home of the Lockheed Martin F-16. Lockheed’s Greenville site, located at SCTAC, is the only place in the world where the iconic F-16 fighter jet is both manufactured and sustained. In 2022, the F-16 was voted “Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina.”
Another crowning achievement was championing an effort to establish a world-class automotive proving ground at SCTAC. Seeking ways to support South Carolina’s burgeoning automotive industry in the late 2000s, Jody suggested repurposing a long-dormant aircraft runway at SCTAC into a multi-purpose automotive proving ground. Today, the International Transportation Innovation Center (ITIC) located at SCTAC serves as South Carolina’s world-class automotive proving ground for OEMs, suppliers, technology providers and research universities from across the Southeast. Seven years after ITIC’s charter founding, Jody was appointed executive director.
In 2024, Jody was named to SCBiz News’ inaugural list of “South Carolina’s 50 Most Influential People.” On six different occasions, he has been named to Greenville Business Magazine’s annual list of “50 Most Influential People” and in January 2025 was inducted into its prestigious “Hall of Fame.”
A life-long native of South Carolina, Jody began his career as an executive advisor to SC Governor Carroll A. Campbell. Today he is actively involved with many important economic development allies, including an executive committee member of the Upstate SC Alliance; participating in many official delegation trips with the SC Department of Commerce; and providing ongoing corporate support to the missions of the Southern Economic Development Council, Greenville Area Development Corporation, SC Economic Developers Association, the International Economic Development Council, Industrial Asset Management Council, and the SC Manufacturers Alliance.
In 2012, the SC General Assembly elected Jody to represent the 4th Congressional District on the Francis Marion University Board of Trustees. He has been re-elected twice and is currently serving a third consecutive term.
Jody is also a recipient of the Greenville Tech Charter High School “Charter Champion Award” –– the highest honor bestowed by the school –– for substantial contributions while serving two consecutive terms on its Board of Directors and various other volunteer leadership positions.
A first-generation college student, Jody earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Clemson University in 1987 and a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina in 1992. He is a graduate of Leadership South Carolina (Class of 2010) and Leadership Greenville (Class 34); and is a Riley Institute Fellow (Class IV, Spring 2006).
