Edward B. Grimball

Appointed by the Governor

Edward Grimball was appointed Chair of the Board of Economic Advisors in March 2017. He spent much of his professional life in the financial services industry previously serving as Chief Financial Officer of a Nasdaq multi-state, diversified Bank Holding Company headquartered in New Orleans. Concurrently, he was Chief Executive Officer of a publicly traded company engaged in oil and gas exploration and real estate management in southern Louisiana. Prior to this, he was Controller and Corporate Secretary of an interstate bank based in Atlanta, Board member of a captive insurance company located in Bermuda, and senior manager and consultant with a “Big 8” accounting firm in its Columbia and Washington, DC offices. Most recently in the state of Maine, he served as consulting CFO of a listed diversified bank holding company and as CFO and Board member of a start-up company that developed and markets worldwide a hand held water purification device using ultraviolet light and solar energy.

Mr. Grimball is a graduate of The Citadel, received an MBA from the University of Virginia, is a CPA licensed in the State of South Carolina, and served overseas as a Captain in the United States Army.

Emerson F. Gower, Jr.

Appointed by the Chairman of Senate Finance Committee

Emerson Gower retired as the Vice-President of the Southern region of Progress Energy (formerly CP&L) on July 1, 2009, with 38 years of service. He began his career at Progress Energy in 1970 in residential and commercial sales. In 1975, he was named Assistant to Chairman of the Board. From 1981-1986, Mr. Gower worked in various management positions in North Carolina. In 1990, Mr. Gower was named District Manager in S.C. and elected a corporate vice president in 1993, responsible for customer service and operations in SC and Central NC. January 2010 through July of 2012, Mr. Gower was on staff of Francis Marion University as Executive in Residence. Mr. Gower has served on and chaired the S.C. Chamber of Commerce, Chairman; the SC Governor’s School for Science and Math, President; and the SC Research Authority, Executive Committee as well as numerous other local and statewide boards. He is the recipient of prestigious state and community awards to include the Order of the Palmetto (2009) and Business Leader of the Year – South Carolina Chamber of Commerce (2009). 

Mr. Gower received a Bachelor of Science from Campbell University and holds Honorary Doctorate degrees from Francis Marion University and Coker College. He currently resides in Georgetown, SC with his wife.

C. Curtis Hutto

Appointed by the Chairman of House Ways & Means Committee

C. Curtis Hutto was appointed to the South Carolina Board of Economic Advisors on March 1st, 2022.  He is the Chief Financial Officer for and a shareholder of Thompson Construction Group, Inc., a diversified construction services firm based in Sumter, SC.  He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in South Carolina.  Additionally, he serves on the Executive Committee as Treasurer of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance.

Mr. Hutto received a Bachelor of Science degree in 2002 and a Master of Accountancy degree in 2003 from the University of South Carolina.  He maintains his residency in Sumter, SC with his wife and son.

Frank Rainwater

Frank Rainwater was appointed Executive Director of the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office beginning with the agency’s inception on July 1, 2014. His career covers a diverse field of economic and legal experience. Prior to his appointment, Frank served as Chief Economist and Assistant General Counsel to the South Carolina Budget & Control Board where he provided economic and revenue forecasts, fiscal analysis of tax law changes, and legal advice to board programs. Frank previously served as Deputy State Treasurer and General Counsel where he focused primarily on financial and management issues for the state and its agencies. Through this position, he also provided assistance to the State Board of Financial Institutions, county treasurers, and the state student loan program. Frank also served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Assistant Legal Counsel in the Governor’s Office for state budget and policy matters. His other experience includes serving as a vice president at Denmark Technical College and Assistant Director of the Office of State Budget. Frank began his career by working as a research analyst for the South Carolina General Assembly for the Senate Finance and House Ways & Means Committees, the SC Tax Commission, and the SC Board of Economic Advisors. 

Frank is a native of Columbia, South Carolina and graduate of Lower Richland High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Clemson University, Master of Arts in Economics from the University of South Carolina, and Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.