Mark Simmons leads Parker Poe Consulting Location Solutions. As part of the firm's corporate services, he spearheads site selection processes, facilitates corporate/public meetings and develops and implements incentive negotiation strategies. Within the firm's economic development offerings, Mark's work involves advising state, local and regional economic development organizations with all aspects of their economic development efforts, including operations, product development, marketing and communications as well as incentive offerings and policies.

Prior to joining Parker Poe Consulting, Mark served as the Executive Vice President for the Central South Carolina Alliance for more than 15 years. The Alliance is a nonprofit, public/private partnership charged with the economic development and industrial recruitment duties and responsibilities for a nine-county area within the Midlands of South Carolina. He has served in various other positions over the last 25+ years within the field of economic development in both North Carolina and South Carolina. During his career, Mark has been directly involved in assisting in the recruitment and expansion of industries which have accounted for over $15 billion in new capital investment and the creation of more than 100,000 new jobs.