Careers with the Beaufort County EDC

John A. O’Toole is the Executive Director of the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation. John is responsible for business, retention, expansion and attraction to Beaufort County which includes Bluffton, Beaufort, Port Royal and Hilton Head Island. In addition to these functions John facilitates public policy discussion in the areas of best practices in land use and workforce development. Prior to joining the BCEDC John worked for Eversource Energy in Connecticut for 18 years. In that function John supported the Eversource’s efforts in the community, economic policy, business and community development and served as the company’s chief liaison to key state and regional economic development organizations.

John served three terms as the chief elected official of Seymour, Connecticut. In that function John lead revitalization efforts in downtown, aggressive efforts to market and fill the town’s industrial park, as well as regional efforts to address brownfields and stimulate economic development. John received his bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, his master’s in business administration from the University of New Haven and has been designated a Certified Economic Developer by the International Economic Development Council.

Kelli Brunson is the Marketing & Investor Relations Manager for the BCEDC. Her role focuses on marketing for BCEDC, facilitating roundtable events along with the CONVERGE Economic Summit, as well as working with investors.

Originally from Manning, S.C., Kelli attended the University of South Carolina Beaufort and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management. Following graduation, she was hired by the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. In her seven-year tenure, she served as the Research and Digital Marketing Coordinator and later as the Director of Programs & Events. Kelli is a graduate of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber’s Leadership Program (class of 2018). She also received her master’s degree in education in 2022 from the University of Georgia through their Learning, Leadership, and Organization Development program.

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