John W. Fleming, P.E., was recently elected as a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ACSE). Fleming currently serves as chief operating officer of the Southern Carolina Regional Development Alliance, an economic development organization providing full-service support to seven counties in South Carolina. He provides strategic guidance on both vertical and horizontal project development as well as oversees day-to-day operations of the organization. He routinely interacts with C-suite leadership from companies all over the globe interested in business expansion, and he represents the state of South Carolina and the region on economic development domestic and foreign marketing missions. Fleming joined the Alliance in 2016 as director of development.

Previously, Fleming worked for more than 23 years at Hussey Gay Bell, a regional consulting engineering firm, assisting the firm in developing a reputation for delivering exceptional commercial land development projects throughout the eastern United States. Starting as a project designer, he worked his way up to principal engineer and shareholder. He developed and implemented client focused initiatives allowing the firm to continue to expand its commercial client base. He later expanded into residential and industrial development. In the later roles, he continued to function as a client manager working with both regional and national home builders along with major industrial clients. The relationships he developed with previous clients have continued in his current economic development role. Early career experience included roles as survey department manager for Trico Engineering and Survey in Summerville, SC and civil engineering technician at HGBD-Johnson in Charleston, SC.

A member of ASCE since 1992, Fleming has volunteered for various ASCE positions throughout his career serving as a Region 4 Governor in both West Virginia and South Carolina. He has served on multiple ASCE committees including Preparing the Future of Civil Engineer Corresponding; College Accreditation; and Member Career Development. Additionally, Fleming has served as ASCE SC Eastern Branch treasurer, vice president, president and director. He has also served the profession as a member of Engineers without Borders – USA Charleston Professional Chapter and as a voting member of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

Fleming earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Clemson University. He received an Associate of Science degree in civil engineering as well as certificates in advanced surveying and computer aided design from Trident Technical College in North Charleston, SC.

A licensed professional engineer in multiple states, Fleming is an officer in the SC State Guard Engineering Command. He has served as part of the FEMA Community Emergency Response Team as well as the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services as safety assessment program evaluator.

Fleming is a member of the SC Economic Developers Association and the Southern Economic Development Council. Previous memberships include Board of Directors of the Southern Carolina Regional Development Alliance from 2008-2016; Summerville High School Project Lead the Way Advisory Committee 2011-2013; International Council of Shopping Centers 2006-2010; and Dorchester County Council Stormwater Advisory Committee 2005-2006.