Staff
Staff Listings
Chuck Perry
ChairExecutive Board
Chuck Perry, Area Executive of First Citizens Bank, currently serves as the Vice Chair for the Oconee Economic Alliance Board of Directors.
Amanda Taylor
Vice ChairExecutive Board
Amanda Taylor, Regional Director – AT&T South Carolina – State Legislative & Reg Affairs, AT&TAmanda Taylor is Regional Director of External Affairs for AT&T-South Carolina. In this role, she works with elected officials and other key stakeholders throughout the Upstate to help bring new technology,...
Rush Thrift
TreasurerExecutive Board
Rush Thrift is the oldest son of Gary Thrift, and was raised working for his family’s business on the construction side, as well as in the hardware stores. Rush graduated from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama in 2011, with a Bachelor of Science degree in...
Chris Bowen
SecretaryExecutive Board
Chris Bowen, Vice-President at Hogan Construction Group, is a seasoned professional with over 30 years in the construction industry. An Oconee County native and graduate of The Citadel with a degree in Civil Engineering, Chris has built projects across various sectors, including industrial, manufacturing, education,...
Joey Hawkins
Immediate Past ChairExecutive Board
Joey Hawkins is a 1989 graduate of Wofford College and is the Director of Industrial Relations and Gas Control at Fort Hill Natural Gas Authority. For over twenty years, Joey has served on the boards of the Economic Development agencies in Oconee, Pickens, and Anderson...
Jamie Gilbert
President & CEOStaff
Jamie is a highly accomplished economic developer with over 33 years of extensive experience in the profession. For the past twenty-five years, he has spent the majority of that time successfully building and leading economic development programs at the local levels in South Carolina, Maryland...
Jacob Queen
Project Manager
Staff
Tyler James
Project Manager
Tyler joined the Oconee Economic Alliance in 2021 and has a passion for serving his local community and applies that passion in his role with the Oconee Economic Alliance. Tyler assists the OEA’s partners, allies and clients in preparing RFIs for prospective industrial projects. He...
