A View From The C-Suite: Austin Walker

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GSA Business Report’s long-standing feature, A View From The C-Suite, is a quick visit and a little insight from an area executive. To nominate an executive-level business person for the feature, email Ross Norton at [email protected].

Austin Walker

Economic Development Director

Abbeville County

What’s the best advice you have ever received?

No matter the sector, no matter the job: Be flexible.

What’s the best advice you could give?

Surround yourself with people who know more than you do and you will never stop learning.

What is the stiffest challenge facing your industry right now?

In rural communities, turning the tide on population decline is the driving factor for how we approach community and economic development.

Little known fact about your organization:

Abbeville County is home to the State Rural Theater — the Abbeville Opera House — which has been in operation since 1908 and which recently won the Bundy Award for Excellence in Rural Tourism in 2022!

What was your first job?

Student worker in Student Development at Erskine College.

Describe your role:

In my role as economic development director, my goal is to make Abbeville County a premier business location through industry recruitment and business retention.  Throughout the county, I also have a priority to develop community in our townships.