Meet Our Professionals

Mark G. Simmons

Senior Principal
Columbia | 803.253.6847
Fax | 803.255.8017
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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. 

Featured Experience

  • Assists both domestic and international clients with corporate relocation, site selection and business expansion projects
  • Assists businesses in structuring economic development incentive agreements with state and local governments as well as other project stakeholders

Client Alerts

Speaking Engagements

News

Honors

  • Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), International Economic Development Council
  • SC Certified Economic Developer, 2002
  • University of Oklahoma, Economic Development Institute, Graduate
  • University of South Carolina, Post-Graduate Studies, Economic Development
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Post-Graduate Studies, Economic Development
  • Georgia Institute of Technology, Post-Graduate Studies, Economic Development
  • Clemson University, Guest Lecturer
  • Tate Center for Entrepreneurship, College of Charleston, Guest Lecturer

Affiliations

  • South Carolina Economic Developers Association (SCEDA), Past President & Member