Head of SC’s largest business park awarded state’s top civilian honor By Spencer Donovan 19 hrs ago GREENVILLE — The longtime head of South Carolina’s largest business park has received the state’s highest civilian honor.
Jody Bryson, president and CEO of the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center, was awarded the Order of the Palmetto.
Bryson has directed SCTAC for nearly two decades. It spans 2,600 acres and is home to Lockheed Martin’s F-16 factory and more than 100 other companies.
Under Bryson’s leadership, the business park shifted its focus from serving primarily local industry to competing globally, Gov. Henry McMaster said at the June 22 award presentation during the Southeastern United States-Canadian Provinces Conference, which is in Greenville.
“We are reaching our stride globally now more and more in the aerospace, automotive, and advanced manufacturing sections, and you can see that all over our state,” McMaster said.
Situated off U.S. Highway 25, the campus also includes the International Transportation Innovation Center, an automobile proving ground.
There’s also Donaldson Field, the state’s largest general aviation airport, which is operated as a service of SCTAC. Donaldson is home to Greenville Technical College’s aircraft maintenance certification program, and provides service to dozens of manufacturing operations, such as Michelin.
“I just appreciate this honor so much,” Bryson said. “I appreciate my family being here today, and I guess next to my wedding day and the birth of my three children, this is the greatest day in my life.”
Bryson is a first-generation college graduate who received his undergraduate degree from Clemson University and master’s from the University of South Carolina. He began his career as an executive advisor to Gov. Carroll Campbell.
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