Our Staff

Since 1997, Fred has served as President of ECI. By working closely with ECI's investors and board of directors, Fred maintains the strategic alliances that set the stage for the organization’s future success.

Fred has actively promoted international business and relationships at the local, state and regional levels. He was instrumental in the creation of the Columbia World Affairs Council and currently serves as chairman. Fred is also a fellow of the Atlanta-based Society of International Business Fellows (SIBF).

Additional memberships include:

  • President, Midlands International Trade Association
  • Member of the Governor’s Commission on international agreements and cooperation
  • Member of the Columbia advisory board of South Carolina Educational Television
  • Treasurer of the Governor’s School for Science and Math Foundation

Fred has received numerous awards including:

  • Committee of 100 International Ambassador of the Year – 1994
  • U.S. Small Business Administration Small Business Media Advocate of the Year in South Carolina - 1996
  • Recipient of the first International Community Ambassador Award of the Columbia International Festival – 1998
  • University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business’s International MBA program recognition for support of IMBA program – 1998
  • Global Vision Award of the Columbia World Affairs Council - 1999

Fred is the former business editor of The State newspaper, South Carolina’s largest newspaper, where he followed and wrote about South Carolina’s international business growth for 28 years. He is also a retired officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel in the South Carolina Air National Guard and a 1971 journalism graduate of the University of South Carolina.