Sellers to assume interim CEO role

Effective March 1, 2017, Ed Sellers will become interim CEO of the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness.  Sellers is currently chairman of the Council’s Executive Committee and chairman of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.  

“The formation of the Council in 2004 marked the first time South Carolina’s business, government, and academic leadership came together to address long-term competitiveness factors,” said Sellers.  “Never has there been a more important time to have an organization focusing on South Carolina’s economic future.  I am very excited about the current opportunities we have to help our state, our industries and our citizens be more economically competitive.”  

Current President & CEO Ann Marie Stieritz accepted a new position as Chief Impact Officer for Liberty Fellowship and will depart the Council at the end of February.

“It’s been a fantastic privilege to serve the Council these past three years.” said Stieritz.  “I’m proud of the team we’ve built and the collaborative partnerships we’ve fostered that truly make a difference in expanding the economic prosperity of South Carolina.”

“Ann Marie has done a wonderful job of growing the Council’s work in recent years.   We can’t think her enough for her faithful service to our organization, and we wish her well in her new endeavor,”  Sellers said. “The Executive Committee is currently evaluating options for her replacement.”

Council Treasurer Joel Smith will provide operational support during the transition.  Smith is Dean Emeritus of the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina and is the former President of Bank of America East (retired).