January 23, 2026

Harbor Entrepreneur Center Appoints New Board to Enhance Innovation

Charleston, SC, January 23, 2026

The Harbor Entrepreneur Center (HEC) has announced its new Board of Directors for 2026, composed of influential local leaders aimed at promoting innovation and supporting entrepreneurs in Charleston. This new leadership signals a strong commitment to economic growth and the cultivation of Charleston’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. With a vital mission to foster entrepreneurship, HEC continues to provide resources and mentorship to local businesses, ensuring that Charleston remains a key player in the regional economy.

Charleston, SC –

Lowcountry Entrepreneurship Strengthens with HEC Board Appointments

The Harbor Entrepreneur Center (HEC) announces its 2026 Board of Directors, bringing together a formidable group of local leaders to further cultivate Charleston’s thriving business landscape and foster innovation from the ground up.

Charleston’s dynamic economic environment is a testament to the resilience and vision of its entrepreneurs. The appointment of a new board of directors for the Harbor Entrepreneur Center (HEC) signals a renewed focus on supporting these innovators, driving economic growth, and reinforcing the Lowcountry’s position as a hub for groundbreaking business. This strategic move underscores a commitment to entrepreneurial innovation, recognizing that a vibrant private sector is the engine of prosperity and job creation for the entire community. By providing mentorship, resources, and collaborative spaces, organizations like HEC play a critical role in transforming promising ideas into successful enterprises, minimizing barriers for small businesses, and ultimately enhancing the Charleston County economy.

The spirit of ingenuity and self-reliance is deeply embedded in the fabric of the region, with local entrepreneurs consistently demonstrating their determination to build and grow businesses. The HEC’s latest leadership appointments are poised to amplify these efforts, ensuring that South Carolina entrepreneurs have the robust support systems necessary to navigate the complexities of starting and scaling ventures. This commitment to fostering a fertile ground for business development reflects a belief in the power of individual achievement and the collective benefit of a thriving, competitive marketplace.

Leadership for Sustained Growth: HEC’s 2026 Board of Directors

The Harbor Entrepreneur Center, a nonprofit innovation hub dedicated to fostering and advancing the Lowcountry’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, has unveiled its 2026 Board of Directors. This new leadership is positioned to guide the organization in its mission to support more than 100 businesses across the Lowcountry. HEC Executive Director Grady Johnson noted that the collective expertise, industry knowledge, and proven mentorship of the 2026 directors will ensure HEC’s continued growth and support for regional entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.

The 2026 HEC Board of Directors includes: Jessica Munday, Founder of TRIO, a marketing and communications agency, and a founding member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Charleston chapter, serving as Chair. Andy Seavers, CEO and cofounder of Case Status, a client engagement platform for law firms, is the Chair-Elect. Ryan Fiorini, CEO and cofounder of Blinktbi, a biotech company, holds the position of Immediate Past Chair. Other distinguished members include Christina Lock (Founder and CEO of Catch Talent and Catch Federal), Abby Leibowitz (CEO of Call Experts and founder of Abridged Solutions), Amrish Macedo (CTO of Impulse Control), Rebecca Ufkes (CEO and cofounder of UEC Electronics from 1998-2015), Jeff Montgomery (Founder of Omatic Software), Brian Miller (Founder of Atlas Technologies), Pat Eardley (Founder and owner of Shift HR), and Willis Cantey (CEO of Cantey Tech Consulting).

Fostering the Entrepreneurial Spirit: The HEC Mission

Founded in 2013 by two local entrepreneurs and advocates, the Harbor Entrepreneur Center operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its core mission is to create “collision” among the entrepreneur community, believing that connecting thinkers, doers, and visionaries supports the economic vitality of the region. The HEC leverages the direct experiences of its entrepreneur-founders and operators to support new ventures at any stage, recognizing the unique journey of each entrepreneur.

Since its inception, HEC has supported more than 200 companies through its innovative programs, providing mentorship, education, and essential resources to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses. This hands-on approach directly contributes to the development of a robust Charleston small business sector and fuels Lowcountry economic growth.

A Hub for Innovation in Mount Pleasant

In a significant boost for the region’s entrepreneurial infrastructure, the HEC returned to Mount Pleasant with a 38,000 sq. ft. facility, supported by the Town of Mount Pleasant, the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), and Charleston County Economic Development. This expansive facility provides a collaborative space designed to inspire, educate, and elevate entrepreneurial organizations, foster venture capital investment, and drive innovation.

The HEC in Mount Pleasant functions as a comprehensive entrepreneurial ecosystem, catering to students, veterans, career changers, and established businesses looking to develop new enterprises and ideas within the Charleston region. This initiative aligns with Mount Pleasant’s economic development strategy, which specifically targets entrepreneurship and innovation, further establishing the town as a hub for innovation within South Carolina. Currently, the facility houses over 100 high-growth locally-owned companies, fostering a dynamic environment for collaboration and growth.

Driving Lowcountry Economic Growth

Entrepreneurs are recognized as primary drivers of innovation, job creation, and prosperity. The HEC’s financial backing from entities like the Town of Mount Pleasant, the South Carolina Research Authority, Charleston County Economic Development, and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance enables it to provide crucial entrepreneurial resources to all members of the community.

The impact of such focused economic development initiatives is significant for the Charleston County economy. For instance, Charleston County Economic Development (CCED) facilitated activity supports an annual economic impact of $18.2 billion, representing 24.8% of Charleston County’s total GDP. This activity also corresponds to 72,018 jobs and $6 billion in labor income for residents in Charleston County. Jobs generated by CCED-affiliated business activities also represent a 43% wage premium over South Carolina jobs. These figures underscore the vital role played by organizations that nurture local business growth, contributing substantially to the region’s prosperity. Employment in Charleston County grew at more than twice the rate of South Carolina, with a 45.2 percent increase compared to 20.1 percent between 2001 and 2022.

Empowering Small Businesses and Private Investment

The HEC’s commitment to individual businesses extends beyond providing physical space. Its programs, such as the Harbor Accelerator, engage accepted companies in a focused market validation curriculum. This hands-on mentoring, provided by founders of successful regional companies, helps young companies build strong customer acquisition platforms as a fundamental step for growth.

The success of the HEC’s approach is evident in the achievements of its alumni, who have collectively received over $7 million in private sector investments. This impressive figure highlights the significant role HEC plays in connecting promising startups with the capital needed to expand, directly contributing to Charleston SC business growth and strengthening the overall Lowcountry economic growth trajectory.

Community Collaboration and Future Outlook

The Harbor Entrepreneur Center has been selected as the Lead Agent for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, a key area of focus within the One Region Roadmap. This roadmap provides a broad platform for the community to address economic challenges and enhance the region’s prosperity and global competitiveness. The HEC’s role within this initiative further solidifies its position as a central figure in shaping Charleston’s economic future through collaborative community efforts.

The appointment of the new board, coupled with the continued growth of its physical footprint and programmatic offerings, positions the HEC to further drive entrepreneurial innovation in the Lowcountry. By empowering individual entrepreneurs and fostering a supportive ecosystem, the HEC contributes directly to job creation and sustained economic prosperity in Charleston and across South Carolina.

The refreshed leadership at the Harbor Entrepreneur Center marks an exciting chapter for Charleston’s entrepreneurial landscape. The dedication of the new board, combined with the HEC’s proven track record, is set to further energize the Charleston SC business community, inspire the next generation of South Carolina entrepreneurs, and catalyze significant Lowcountry economic growth. As these visionary leaders guide the HEC, the call for citizens to engage with and support local businesses becomes more vital than ever. By championing local innovation and staying informed about Charleston’s economic future, residents can actively participate in building a more prosperous and dynamic region for all.

Key Features of the Harbor Entrepreneur Center (HEC)

Feature	Description	Scope
Organization Type	501(c)(3) nonprofit organization	Local
Founding Year	2013	Local
Mission	To create “collision” among the entrepreneur community to support economic vitality	Regional
Companies Supported	More than 200	Regional
Private Sector Investments (Alumni)	Over $7 million	Regional
Mount Pleasant Facility Size	38,000 sq. ft.	Local
Companies Housed (Mount Pleasant)	Over 100	Local
Role in One Region Roadmap	Lead Agent for Innovation & Entrepreneurship	Regional
Charleston County Economic Impact (CCED)	$18.2 billion annual economic impact (24.8% of GDP)	Charleston County
Jobs from CCED Activity	72,018 jobs	Charleston County