JOHN O’TOOLE
Throughout these pages, you’ll find Leading Men of every type of business, from doctors and dentists to realtors and craftsman. Each of them is a captain of their own industry and a titan in their own business. John O’Toole is a little different. His business is… well, business. And business is good.
It’s a group effort that has resulted in $170 million in investment, 600 new jobs and retention of a further 179 jobs over the course of the last two years. Part of that success comes from the unique insight O’Toole brought to the role.
“Previous efforts at development were always looking for the next Boeing, BMW, or Volvo. I contend that you can knit a pretty good portfolio of smaller companies in a community and diversify your portfolio,” he said.
He points to success stories like Burnt Church Distillery and Glassworks, smaller companies that have a tremendous impact on our local economy and benefit greatly from our area’s workforce. Or to Lowcountry Fresh Market, where a local act of social entrepreneurship created a rising tide that lifts all ships.
