Ted Abernathy, Executive Director

Policy expertise: Economics and Competitiveness.

Born and raised in Dallas, North Carolina, Ted received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; his Master’s from Johns Hopkins University, and graduated from the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. Ted is an Eisenhower Fellow.

The focus of his 28-year economic development career has been on strategic competitiveness and economic positioning. Most recently he served as Executive Vice President and COO for the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, a private non-profit economic development organization. Ted has authored national recognized strategic plans and reports and speaks to over 150 groups annually.

Ted currently serves as Executive Director of the Southern Growth Policies Board, a public policy think tank that develops economic development policies for 13 Southern states. Southern Growth specializes in the areas of technology and innovation, globalization, workforce development, community development, civic engagement, and leadership.