The Team
RENO DEATON, Executive Director
GREER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (GDC)
Meet the man behind it all, Reno Deaton. In 2019, Reno and the GDC launched The Platform at Greer as a strategic initiative to further promote entrepreneurship in Greer, SC. Since then, the Platform team has continued to expand and grow, helping entrepreneurs launch, take root, and realize their dreams in Greer.
OUR COACHES & SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS
Frank Condon, CEO @ DevObal Technologies Inc.
Paul Ebel, VP @ BE Incorporated
Kimbrelly Kegler, Global Brand Strategy Leader @ Michelin
Vickie Johnson, National Service Director @ Michelin
Sheldon Early, President @ Location Lockbox
Johannes Mutzke, Co-Founder & Partner @ BlueInc Strategies
Anthony Reese, Creative Director & Digital Architect @ Tangible Strategies
Joanna Reese, Owner & Lead Marketer @ Tangible Strategies
Seth Pack, CTO @ Michelin
Michele wascavage, Market Strategist @ Sage Automotive Interiors
Jennifer Sutton, Founder + CEO @ Bright+CO Marketing Agency
Martin O'Conor, Consultant @ Blue Inc Strategies
OUR JUDGES
Philippe Barreaud, Director of Customer Labs - North America, Europe, & Asia @ Michelin
Philippe created and now heads Michelin’s Customer Innovation Labs in North America, Europe, and Asia. The Labs work across all Michelin’s business lines to test and prepare new business opportunities to go to market.
Jim Boyd, Market President @ United Bank
Having an extensive background in finance and banking, Jim has been providing services to our community as the Market President of United Bank for the past 14 years. A Citadel graduate, Jim is very philanthropic, and he has also served as part of the leadership team for the Great Greer Chamber of Commerce.
Marshall Franklin, Global Client Service Executive @ EY
With over 24 years of experience providing professional services in a variety of industries and international markets, Marshall has worked in market growth, risk management and assurance.
Currently, he is leading key accounts and directing the EY market growth for the state of S. Carolina.
Lori Coon, COO/Publisher @ Integrated Media Publishing
Lori is an experienced Publisher with over 25 years of history working in the publishing industry. Her organization, Integrated Media Publishing, is the publisher of Greenville Business Magazine, Columbia Business Monthly, Charleston Business Magazine and Palmetto Parent.
Lee Dumas, Greer City Councilman
Lee has served as an elected member of the Greer City Council District 4 for nearly 12 years, in addition to a vibrant career in sales. He has worn all the proverbial business hats, developing new skills while operating a real estate brokerage, managing construction projects, serving as a city council member, acting as a business leader at our Chamber of Commerce.
THE "CORE" TEAM WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES!
Prashant Prabhu, Former MIchelin President (Africa, India, Middle East)
Michele wascavage, Market Strategist @ Sage Automotive Interiors
Jacquette Land, President/CEO @ E-Ford Commissary
Nate Hamblen, Founder @ Red Elm
Mark Essex, President/ceo @ Netalytics
John Moore, Principal @ Momentum Strategies
Sharon Self, Marketing director @ GDC
Sheldon Early, President @ Location Lockbox
Johannes Mutzke, Partner & Co-founder @ BlueIncStrategies
Byron Smith, Consultant @ BlueInc Strategies & The BMW Group
Mark Hopper, Greer City Councilman & Business Owner
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About Us
Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or your small business has reached critical mass, The Platform provides you a community of collaborators and resources to start your journey or maximize the path to your final destination.