Joe E. Taylor
Joe Taylor is a life-long resident of South Carolina. He started learning about business by going to work with his dad on Saturdays when still in kindergarten. While a student at Wofford College, he helped his late father start Southland Log Homes. At age 25, he became president and CEO and eventually built the company into the largest producer of pre-cut log buildings in North America.
After selling the company in 2005, Joe retired and concentrated on real estate development and investing in start-up companies. Joe has served on many boards of charitable and educational organizations. He is currently on the Board of Trustees at Wofford College.
Joe has been involved in economic development for several years. He was appointed by Governor Sanford to chair the South Carolina Jobs Economic Development Authority in 2003. In 2006, Governor Sanford asked him to become the state’s first full time Secretary of Commerce. He was confirmed by the Senate in March of that year.
