Greater Augusta Employer Committee - GAEC

JOIN GAEC June 15th for our next meeting!!

Our Speaker will be Tonny McNeil

Tonny McNeil has more than twenty years of economic development experience in both the public and private sector, highlighted by his focus on the recruitment of new industry and retention of existing industry. During his tenure in Dillon County, South Carolina McNeil spearheaded $500M of new investment, certified (8) Industrial Parks which included a 3,400 acre Mega-Site, developed and constructed Dillon County's first speculative building which resulted in the announcement of Wyman Gordon a Tri-County Industrial Park owned by three counties. McMillan also established on-site medical clinics for two employers that employed over 1,000 workers and helped to deliver the first public transportation system focused on the local citizen workforce.
McNeil's most noted accomplishments include: Wyman-Gordon (Aerospace Company) which was a $180M investment and 400 new jobs for Dillon County, Harbor Freight Tools (Distribution) 1M Square Foot Expansion which was a $100M investment and 250 new jobs, a second Harbor Freight Tools (Distribution) expansion 1M Square Foot Expansion which was $100M and 600 jobs, Perdue Farms (Food Processing) which was $20M and 124 jobs, KB Biotech Solutions (Life Science) $40M and 100 jobs, East Nile Farms (Agricultural) $20M and 200 jobs and Pine Gate Renewables (Solar) a $40M-60 acre Solar Farm. The Dillon Inland Port (Extension of the Port of Charleston) which has a $50 Billion dollar annual impact on Dillon County and the State of South Carolina, He has also received several awards related to Economic Development, Community Development and patents for processes and mechanical designs he created while he was working as a Mechanical Engineer and Robotics programmer.
Mr. McNeil is a native of Dillon, SC and the youngest of five siblings. He has served on the Mcleod Dillon Hospital Advisory Board, Board of Directors for First Steps, Board of Directors for RALI, South Elementary School Council Board, Dillon County Public-Private Partnership Board, Board of Directors for Healthy Learners, and President of the Gateway Park Corporation. Mr. McNeil's education includes a BS in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Economic Development (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill- School of Government), Economic Development (South Carolina Department of Commerce), East Carolina University (Certified Economic Developer Candidate-May 2022) and a Robotic Programmer Certificate from Automated Cells and Equipment (Painted Post, NY).

We are so grateful to have Katrell Nash as our October speaker!! When: This Wednesday, 8am
Where: Virtual, Zoom ( Please inquire for link)

Ms. Katrell Nash is an attorney in Augusta. Prior to becoming an attorney, she studied at Mississippi College School of Law. She graduated in 2009. After passing the bar exam, she was admitted to legal practice in 2009.

EDUCATION:
• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
• Juris Doctor, Mississippi College School of Law, Jackson, MS

COURT ADMISSIONS:
• Georgia Probate Courts
• Georgia State Courts
• Georgia Superior Courts
• Georgia Civil & Magistrate Courts
• Georgia Court of Appeals
• Georgia Supreme Court
• United States District Court, Southern District of Georgia

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
• State Bar of Georgia
• State Bar of Mississippi
• Member at Large, Executive Board, Augusta Bar Association
• Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution
• Leadership Augusta, Class of 2017
• Member at Large, Executive Board, Young Lawyers of Augusta

Ms. Nash is committed to volunteering and being engaged in her community in the following areas:

- Global Impact Committee Co-Chair, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® Zeta Xi Omega Chapter
- Secretary, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® Zeta Xi Omega Chapter
- Reading Mentor, Power Lunch Reading Program
- Usher, Macedonia Baptist Church
- Youth Mentor, Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (R.E.A.C.H.)
- Youth Mentor, Royalty Ministry, Macedonia Baptist Church
- Volunteer, Golden Harvest Faith Food Factory
- Volunteer, Masters Table Soup Kitchen
- Volunteer, Ronald McDonald House
- Volunteer, Walk to End Alzheimer’s