Our Team

Jay Schwedler, SCCED, MEDP photo"
Jay Schwedler, SCCED, MEDP photo

Jay Schwedler, SCCED, MEDP

President & CEO

A South Carolina Certified Economic Developer, Jay is a Clemson University graduate with dual degrees in Economics and Agriculture. Since 2006, he has been the leader of Sumter Economic Development and has facilitated the creation of more than 3000 jobs . A distinguished economic developer, Jay has been recognized as the South Carolina Economic Developer of the Year. In addition, he is a graduate of Leadership South Carolina, a Tuomey Fellow and serves on multiple state, regional, and community level boards and organizations. Most recently, Jay was recognized as one of the top 50 Economic Developers in the nation and as a Master Practitioner after completing the Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program.  In his free time, Jay enjoys the outdoors and spending time with friends and family.

Jay Schwedler, SCCED, MEDP photo

Jay Schwedler, SCCED, MEDP
President & CEO

Call Jay - 803-418-0702
Email Jay - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

A South Carolina Certified Economic Developer, Jay is a Clemson University graduate with dual degrees in Economics and Agriculture. Since 2006, he has been the leader of Sumter Economic Development and has facilitated the creation of more than 3000 jobs . A distinguished economic developer, Jay has been recognized as the South Carolina Economic Developer of the Year. In addition, he is a graduate of Leadership South Carolina, a Tuomey Fellow and serves on multiple state, regional, and community level boards and organizations. Most recently, Jay was recognized as one of the top 50 Economic Developers in the nation and as a Master Practitioner after completing the Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program.  In his free time, Jay enjoys the outdoors and spending time with friends and family.


Eliza Buxton, SCCED photo"
Eliza Buxton, SCCED photo

Eliza Buxton, SCCED

Manager, Operations

Eliza joined the Sumter Development Board in 2011.  Prior to her arrival in Sumter, she gained significant experience in non-profit management as the former Director of Finance for the Gibbes Museum in Charleston, SC and the Director of Operations for a non-profit consulting firm.

With a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a Masters in International Business from the University of South Carolina, she brings a vast educational background and a diverse work experience to the job. She has studied in London, and worked in San Francisco and Paris.

As the Manager of Operations, Eliza acts as the chief support personnel to the Board of Directors and the President/CEO with a primary focus on managing day to day office and organizational operations of Sumter Economic Development and the Sumter Smarter Growth Initiative (SSGI). Eliza is a South Carolina Certified Economic Developer. Her interests include antiquing, traveling and spending time with her husband and boy/girl twins.

Eliza Buxton, SCCED photo

Eliza Buxton, SCCED
Manager, Operations

Call Eliza - 803-774-2160
Email Eliza - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Eliza joined the Sumter Development Board in 2011.  Prior to her arrival in Sumter, she gained significant experience in non-profit management as the former Director of Finance for the Gibbes Museum in Charleston, SC and the Director of Operations for a non-profit consulting firm.

With a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a Masters in International Business from the University of South Carolina, she brings a vast educational background and a diverse work experience to the job. She has studied in London, and worked in San Francisco and Paris.

As the Manager of Operations, Eliza acts as the chief support personnel to the Board of Directors and the President/CEO with a primary focus on managing day to day office and organizational operations of Sumter Economic Development and the Sumter Smarter Growth Initiative (SSGI). Eliza is a South Carolina Certified Economic Developer. Her interests include antiquing, traveling and spending time with her husband and boy/girl twins.


Erika Williams, GCDF, MEDP photo"
Erika Williams, GCDF, MEDP photo

Erika Williams, GCDF, MEDP

Manager, Communications and Strategic Initiatives

Hailing from Denmark, SC, Erika has more than 15 years of diverse experience in integrated communications and program management. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications and Theatre from Lander University and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of South Carolina.  As the Communications and Strategic Initiatives Manager, Erika is the primary liaison for community outreach, media relations, and talent development initiatives. She is a Global Career Development Facilitator, Master Economic Development Practitioner, a licensed SC Realtor and an AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor. Erika is involved in a number of community councils and advisory boards.

Erika Williams, GCDF, MEDP photo

Erika Williams, GCDF, MEDP
Manager, Communications and Strategic Initiatives

Call Erika - 803-418-0709
Email Erika - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Hailing from Denmark, SC, Erika has more than 15 years of diverse experience in integrated communications and program management. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications and Theatre from Lander University and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of South Carolina.  As the Communications and Strategic Initiatives Manager, Erika is the primary liaison for community outreach, media relations, and talent development initiatives. She is a Global Career Development Facilitator, Master Economic Development Practitioner, a licensed SC Realtor and an AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor. Erika is involved in a number of community councils and advisory boards.


Brian Rauschenbach, SCCED, MEDP photo"
Brian Rauschenbach, SCCED, MEDP photo

Brian Rauschenbach, SCCED, MEDP

Economic Development Project Manager

Brian Rauschenbach, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, is the economic development project manager.  Prior to this role, Brian served as the youth apprenticeship consultant for Apprenticeship Carolina and was instrumental in the development of youth apprenticeship programs across the state.

A South Carolina Certified Economic Developer and Master Economic Development Practitioner, Brian has a B.A. in Business Administration specializing in technology management from Saint Leo University.  He has associate’s degrees in applied sciences from the Community College of the Air Force  specializing in aviation maintenance technology and technology and military sciences.  As Economic Development Project Manager, Brian is responsible for project management, existing industry retention and expansion, and new business development. He is married to Kimberly Rauschenbach, and they have two children Calla and Brooks.

Brian Rauschenbach, SCCED, MEDP photo

Brian Rauschenbach, SCCED, MEDP
Economic Development Project Manager

Call Brian - 803-774-2434
Email Brian - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Brian Rauschenbach, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, is the economic development project manager.  Prior to this role, Brian served as the youth apprenticeship consultant for Apprenticeship Carolina and was instrumental in the development of youth apprenticeship programs across the state.

A South Carolina Certified Economic Developer and Master Economic Development Practitioner, Brian has a B.A. in Business Administration specializing in technology management from Saint Leo University.  He has associate’s degrees in applied sciences from the Community College of the Air Force  specializing in aviation maintenance technology and technology and military sciences.  As Economic Development Project Manager, Brian is responsible for project management, existing industry retention and expansion, and new business development. He is married to Kimberly Rauschenbach, and they have two children Calla and Brooks.


Heather Lynch photo"
Heather Lynch photo

Heather Lynch

Marketing, Multimedia and Research Associate

A native of Sumter, SC, Heather graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership. She is currently completing graduate degree coursework through Lander University and will receive her Master of Business Administration (MBA) with concentrations in Digital Marketing and Organizational Leadership in May 2024. She is an alumna of the Clemson University Center for Human Genetics, where she served as program coordinator for the NIH COBRE grant before returning home to Sumter. On a personal note, Heather spends her free time reading and watching college football with her father. She also has three dogs, Molly, Maggie, and Muffin, that keep her very busy.

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Heather Lynch photo

Heather Lynch
Marketing, Multimedia and Research Associate

803.418.0703
Email Heather - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

A native of Sumter, SC, Heather graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership. She is currently completing graduate degree coursework through Lander University and will receive her Master of Business Administration (MBA) with concentrations in Digital Marketing and Organizational Leadership in May 2024. She is an alumna of the Clemson University Center for Human Genetics, where she served as program coordinator for the NIH COBRE grant before returning home to Sumter. On a personal note, Heather spends her free time reading and watching college football with her father. She also has three dogs, Molly, Maggie, and Muffin, that keep her very busy.