COLLETON COUNTY- The South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA) has named Brantley Strickland its 2025 Rising Star in recognition of his exceptional service, leadership and promise in the field of economic development.
Strickland, a Colleton County native, was recently appointed Executive Director of the Colleton County Economic Alliance (CCEA), a role he began on April 28. His selection by SCEDA highlights his growing impact on South Carolina’s economic development landscape and his commitment to advancing opportunities in rural and emerging communities.
“It’s really special to be named SCEDA’s Rising Star,” Strickland said. “South Carolina is blessed with a wealth of exemplary, young professionals in the economic development field, so to be elected for this honor by my peers, means a lot. I have been fortunate to have several great mentors over the years and would be remiss if I did not mention Sandy Steele (SouthernCarolina Alliance) and John Truluck (Dorchester County Economic Development) for their lasting impact on my professional growth.”
SCEDA’s Rising Star of the Year Award is presented to a SCEDA member who has made a mark on their employer during a relatively short tenure in a new role. Nominees for the award demonstrate an appetite for excellence, an aptitude for learning new skills or mastering new responsibilities, and show initiative in the workplace while modeling a positive attitude and professionalism in the field.
“Brantley has always had the heart and head for economic development. He’s not just good at the technical aspects – he brings humility, grit and a sincere belief in the communities he serves,” said Steele, Director of Business Development at SouthernCarolina Alliance and past president of SCEDA. “He’s earned this award because he never stops learning, he lifts others up and he leads with integrity. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Prior to joining CCEA, Strickland served as a project manager with Dorchester County Economic Development, where he contributed to an award-winning team for three years. He previously spent seven years with SouthernCarolina Alliance, working across multiple counties including Colleton and serving as lead economic development professional for Hampton and Jasper counties. Throughout his career, he has been known for forging strategic partnerships and generating investment opportunities for the communities he serves.
Strickland is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and holds the South Carolina Certified Economic Developer (SCCED) credential. A 2016 graduate of the SCEDA Institute, he has also completed multiple regional leadership programs and formerly served on SCEDA’s Board of Directors, where he has chaired the Emerging Leaders Committee.
Before launching his career in economic development, Strickland was a journalist, serving as sports editor and managing editor of the Press & Standard, where he earned more than 40 state and national awards. He is active with multiple organizations within the Walterboro area, where he resides with his family.
About SCEDA
The South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA) is the leading professional organization for economic developers in the state, committed to enhancing the professional development of its membership and to advocate economic development to benefit the citizens of South Carolina.