Richard Blackwell
Vice President, Business Development
Richard Blackwell serves as the Vice President of Business Development at Agracel, where he spearheads strategic initiatives focused on expanding the company’s presence in the industrial real estate sector. He leads business development efforts, building relationships with industrial brokers, corporate executives, and economic development professionals to identify new opportunities for acquisition and development.
Richard is known for his ability to navigate complex market dynamics, maintain a strong fiduciary commitment, and deliver results that exceed expectations. His approach to industrial real estate is built on collaboration, precision, and a deep understanding of the nuances that drive successful project outcomes.
With over two decades of experience spanning economic development, investor relations, real estate development, and public policy, Richard has earned a reputation as an industry leader. He has been recognized as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers by Consultant Connect, named “Local/Regional Economic Development Director of the Year” by the Upstate South Carolina Alliance, and appointed by Governor Henry McMaster to serve as the District 3 representative on the South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority Board (SC JEDA).
Richard holds a “Master Practitioner” (EcDMP) designation from the Advanced Economic Development Leadership (AEDL) program and is a “South Carolina Certified Economic Developer” (SCCED) through the SC Department of Commerce and South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association.
Driven by the conviction that “jobs change family trees,” Richard’s wealth of knowledge in industrial park development, speculative development, single-tenant build-to-suit net leases and sale/leasebacks allow him to be involved in a project from conception to completion.
EDUCATION
University of South Carolina, M.A. in Public Administration
University of South Carolina, B.A. in Political Science
Duke University, Certificate in Non-Profit Management
Clemson University, Certificate in Leadership
University of Oklahoma, Graduate of the Economic Development Institute (OU EDI)
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
IAMC • CCIM • NAIOP • SIOR • GEDA • VEDA • SC Auto Council • SEDC (past board member) • Two-Time Past President of SCEDA