Gabriel Pascual is Named 2015 S.C. Economic Ambassador in Colleton County

Gabriel Pascual, Senior Advisor of Crescent Dairy & Beverages, was honored by Governor Nikki Haley, Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt and the South Carolina Department of Commerce as the 2015 South Carolina Economic Ambassador for Colleton County at a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion Complex on April 2nd.

Mr. Pascual’s site selection team helped Crescent Dairy & Beverages in their decision to locate in Walterboro, South Carolina, last year, where they plan to create 60 jobs and invest $30 million in a milk processing and packaging facility.

Mr. Pascual led the assessment of sixteen states and numerous sites before the selection team chose South Carolina and the Colleton County Commerce Center for their project. He worked closely with ReadySC to train and hire the initial staff and continues to oversee plant growth.

As an advisor to the international dairy and processed foods industries, Mr. Pascual has developed dairy processing facilities, designed dairy sector diagnostics, established regulatory compliance, and implemented strategic programs for government agencies and multinational companies worldwide.

Passion for private enterprise creation has been demonstrated through his entire career by having effectively established and managed numerous small and medium enterprises throughout Europe, the United States and the Americas in the areas of food and dairy processing, commercial distribution and not-for-profit industry associations. His entrepreneurial experience spans more than 25 years in international trade and private sector development in over 40 countries and has made him a proven multinational value chain advisor.

“Mr. Pascual’s leadership role with Crescent Dairy & Beverages will result in changes in the lives of more than 60 families in this area through the jobs created by their operation,” said Danny Black, President and CEO of SouthernCarolina Alliance. “He is a true ambassador of economic development in Walterboro and his confidence in this location speaks volumes for the talents and advantages of our workforce and location.”

“We welcome Mr. Pascual to the Colleton County industrial community,” said Colleton County Economic Alliance Chairman Bill Workman. “We are proud that his team chose our area for investment, and we look forward to working with him for many years to come.  He is truly deserving of this honor.”

"We're honored to spotlight these individuals for their contributions to our state. South Carolina's people are what truly make our state one of the best places in the world to do business, and events like the ambassadors recognition ceremony give us the opportunity to recognize just some of the people that help make South Carolina so special," said. Gov. Nikki Haley.