Ernest C. Pearson
Managing Partner
919-755-1800 Mobile: 919-215-1596
epearson@shlf.com

Consulting Specialty: Corporate law, International law, Public finance, Commercial real estate development, Corporate relocation, Corporate growth and financing.

Education: Clemson University, North Carolina State University , B.A. with high honors, Distinguished Military Graduate, 1972, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , J.D. 1975

Ernie Pearson is the founding partner of The Sanford Holshouser Business Development Group and has been involved in economic development matters at the state, regional and local levels since 1989.  Prior to working directly with economic development matters, he has had a range of experience in legal fields which further support his work in economic development to include dealing with corporate, real estate, finance, workers compensation, and contract matters.

From 1989 to 1993, Ernie served as Assistant Secretary of Economic Development for the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  In this role he had management oversight of programs dealing with business and industry recruitment, international trade development, finance programs supporting new and expanded facilities, travel and tourism promotions, and small business development.  Also he had the lead role in promoting and creating the Global TransPark and in dealing with environmentally sensitive projects, such as the siting of a hazardous waste incinerator.

Accomplishments attained during his tenure with the state included leading the country in three out of four years in recruiting large facilities; leading in two out of four years in recruiting international companies; leading two out of four years in recruiting research and development facilities; and being recognized four out of four years as the top state recruitment program in the country.

Upon leaving state service in 1993 Ernie joined the law firm of Sanford Holshouser LLP.  His practice has focused since then on legal matters dealing with economic development organizations and in assisting companies in site selection projects.  He has particular expertise in matters dealing with public finance, incentives and nonprofit organizations.  Ernie has done work for and represented numerous local and regional economic development organizations in the State.  Also his practice experience makes him exceptionally well suited to work with companies considering new business locations, expansions, restructuring financing and international business dealings.  Also Ernie has extensive experience in government relations and lobbying matters. 

Ernie has served on numerous boards and commissions dealing with economic development.  He is currently an active member of the Economic Development Committee of North Carolina’s Citizens for Business and Industry.

Ernie obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with high honors in political science from North Carolina State University in 1972, and earned a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1975.  Ernie is married to Barbara Pearson and has five children.  He resides in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

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Robert Franklin “Bob” Comer
Managing Partner
336-356-8195 Mobile: 336-374-8806
bcomer@sanfordholshouser.com

Consulting Specialty: Strategic Planning, Structuring Organizations, Board Development, Fundraising

Education: Graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Master's degree equivalent at the US Naval War College, Newport, RI, ED courses at UNC

Since 1981, Bob Comer has worked in economic development, chairing the Surry County, NC, Economic Development Commission, then as first director of County's ED program. He later led the privatization of that group, becoming the first president of Surry County Economic Development Partnership, Inc. Joining Sanford Holshouser as a managing partner in 2000, he originated unique programs that have helped local ED groups develop successful strategic action plans, including reorganizations.

An advocate of regional economic development, Bob was a charter board member of the 12-county Piedmont Triad Partnership headquartered in Greensboro, NC. He was the first chair of PTP’s Economic Developers Advisory Council and he served on the Partnership executive committee for several years. In 2005-06, he chaired the PTP Foundation that focused on improving workforce development, leadership, education, tourism, film, transportation, and quality of life programs while helping to implement the Triad Vision Plan. He served on the board that established a regional farmers market and as PTP's representative to the NC Rural Economic Development Task Force. A member of  NCEDA and VEDA, he is on the ED committee of NCCBI. He is a board member of Northwest Piedmont Development Corporation, providing small business financing. Bob was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress in 1996. Since 1998, he has served on the Board of Trustees of Surry Community College, including two years as chair.

Before returning to his hometown of Dobson, NC, in 1980, Bob served 24 years as a US Navy Surface Warfare Officer and international strategic planning specialist, retiring in the rank of Captain. He served on the military team that investigated the illegal capture of USS Pueblo by North Korea in 1968. His 15 medals and ribbons include the Bronze Star Medal (Combat V) for command of a Destroyer that sank attacking North Vietnamese torpedo boats during a 1972 raid on Haiphong, the port city for Hanoi. 

Bob is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill (’56); the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA; and he earned a master’s degree equivalent in management and strategy from the US Naval War College, Newport, RI, with distinction. He has completed several ED courses at UNC and the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute and is a licensed real estate broker. Bob lives in Dobson with his wife Vonda. They have two adult children and five grandchildren.

Crystal Morphis, CEcD
Managing Partner
336-366-4247 Mobile: 336-374-8334
cmorphis@sanfordholshouser.com

Consulting Specialty: Existing Industry, Marketing, Strategic Planning, Research, Site Certification

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Major in Economics, Salem College; Master of Science, Major in Economics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute

Crystal Morphis, CEcD, joined The Sanford Holshouser Business Development Group, LLC, in January 2003. As a Managing Partner, Crystal has developed strategic plans, marketing strategies, best practices analyses, statewide industry studies, existing business retention and expansion programs and has been involved in local and regional product development initiatives. She led the consulting team for the Kerr-Tar Hub project, a four-county multi-jurisdictional technology park development north of the Research Triangle Park. The project won an innovation award from the National Association of Development Agencies. She assisted with North Carolina’s first analysis of the state’s motorsports industry that quantified the economic impact of the industry and developed retention and expansion strategies for local, regional and state economic development agencies. Crystal is also the project manager for a statewide, multi-year economic development initiative with ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc. to assist almost 30 communities in building stronger economic development programs.

Prior to joining Sanford Holshouser, Crystal served seven years as a county economic developer. She was Vice President then President of Surry County Economic Development Partnership. She implemented successful initiatives in new business recruitment, business retention and expansion, small business development, entrepreneurship and workforce development. She led the organization through several successful business recruiting operations, a five-year strategic planning process, and a successful community-wide private sector fundraising campaign. 

Crystal earned a Bachelor of Arts, major in economics, from Salem College and a Master of Science, major in economics, from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In 2005, Crystal earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), an international recognition by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment, and a commitment to professional growth. She completed the Economic Development Institute, a three-year program for economic development professionals in 1999. She is a graduate of Triad Leadership Network. In 2002, Crystal was named the Altrusa Woman of Achievement in Public Service.

Crystal is an instructor at the UNC-Chapel Hill Basic Economic Development Course speaking on business retention and expansion. A former board member of the North Carolina Economic Developers Association, Crystal has served in several regional and state leadership positions. She is a past Chairman of the Piedmont Triad Economic Developers Advisory Council and a past board member and executive committee member of the Piedmont Triad Partnership. Crystal was a presenter at the International Economic Development Council’s Annual Conference in 2005. Crystal serves on the advisory board of the NC State University Industrial Extension Service. She is a Rotarian, serves on the Yadkin Valley United Fund Board and is a former chairman and current board member of Upper Yadkin Valley Habitat for Humanity. Crystal holds a North Carolina real estate broker’s license.

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L. Calvin “Rocky” Lane, Jr.
Managing Partner
252-535-2339 Mobile: 252-532-5088
rlane@sanfordholshouser.com

Consulting Specialty: Existing Industry, Product Development, Site Certification, Workforce Development

Education: Bachelors of Science in Textile Technology, Masters of Textile Technology from North Carolina State University, Graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute.

Lewis C. “Rocky” Lane, Jr. has been a Managing Partner of The Sanford Holshouser Business Development Group, LLC, an economic development consulting firm since January of 2003.  During this time Rocky has developed strategic plans, conducted focus groups, facilitated board retreats, designed business retention programs, guided product development initiatives, and has been involved with numerous workforce development efforts.  Lane designed and implemented a very successful business retention and expansion program for a county economic development agency and then applied those same principles to create a program for a regional organization that served a 16 county area.  The regional program has been recommended as a model for other areas of the state.  He has been involved in the development and delivery of specialized training to meet the needs of various industry sectors.  Rocky was team leader on a feasibility study for a business incubator and a shared-use kitchen facility in a county whose economy was undergoing a dramatic metamorphosis.  His work has included statewide, regional, and local economic development organizations, and he has dealt with a diverse mix of locations from small rural communities to large metropolitan areas. 

Prior to joining Sanford Holshouser Rocky served thirteen years as Executive Director of Halifax Development Commission.  During his tenure the county developed a fully serviced industrial park, two Certified Sites, constructed a shell building, and developed an award winning marketing program.  Under his leadership, Halifax County successfully recruited seventeen new industries representing over $1.5 billion in investment and over 2,000 jobs.  In addition, Lane was instrumental in the expansion of 10 existing industries.

Before coming to the Development Commission, Rocky was with Halifax Community College for thirteen years serving in various positions, the last being Dean of Continuing Education.  Lane was employed with the J. P. Stevens Company as a Plant Industrial Engineer prior to accepting a position with the Community College. 

In 1991 Rocky received the CSX Transportation “Partnershipping” Award, which recognizes outstanding accomplishments in industrial development and contributions toward influencing the location of rail served industries on CSX’s lines.  In 1999 The Eastern Center for Regional Development honored Lane by selecting him as their Economic Development Leader of the Year.

Lane obtained Bachelors and Master Degrees in Textile Technology from N.C. State University.  He is a graduate the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute. Lane is a member of NCEDA, VEDA, and the IEDC.

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Michael K. Geouge, CEcD
Managing Partner
919-550-9715 Mobile: 919-395-2058
mgeouge@sanfordholshouser.com

Education: East Tennessee State University, B.S. in Urban Geography

Mike Geouge, CEcD, is a Managing Partner with SHBDG with over 20 years of economic development experience and more that 10 years experience as a city planner. He brings expertise to SHBDG in multi faceted economic development and planning advice and assistance to local units of government, regional organizations and other non profit economic development agencies as well as location involvement with numerous private sector entities.  Mike has participated in more than 300 client visits and nearly 100 announced client locations during his career.

Prior to joining Sanford Holshouser Business Development Group, Mike was the Manager of Economic Development for Duke Power/Nantahala Power where he worked with both the private and public sectors involved in the location and/or expansion of business and industry within the company service area. Prior to his move to the private sector, Mike was the Manager of the western regional office for the North Carolina Department of Commerce where he was responsible for industrial recruitment and business expansion/retention programs for a 17 county area.

In the city planning profession, Mike served as Planning Director for Gulfport, MS and the Chief –Senior Planner for the western office of the NC Division of Community Services. Both of these positions included program, staff and budget management responsibilities for medium to large public planning organizations. Additionally, he earlier held positions as a community planner for the States of Tennessee and North Carolina.

Mike has had extensive leadership involvement with economic development organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors for Advantage West and acting as chairman of its marketing committee ( a 21 county NC regional economic development organization).  He was also chairman of the Western Carolina Industrial Partnership (a multi county economic development marketing organization); Chairman of the Smoky Mountain Development Corporation (a multi county business incubator facility/504 SBA authorized loan organization); and a board member of the North Carolina Economic Developers Association.

Mike earned a Bachelor of Science degree in urban geography from East Tennessee State University.  He is a Certified Economic Developer, designated through the International Economic Development Council. Mike lives in Clayton, NC, with his wife Sandra. They have four children and two grandchildren.

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Bob De Mauri

Robert S. De Mauri
Associate Manager
434-244-0509 Mobile: 434-981-0215
bdemauri@sanfordholshouser.com

Education: University of Virginia School of Architecture, Bachelor of City Planning

Bob De Mauri joined the Sanford Holshouser Business Development Group in 2007 as an Associate Manager with extensive experience in both community planning and business development.  His background includes ten years as the Executive Director of the Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development; fifteen years as the Director of Marketing and as an Industrial Development Representative with the Virginia Department of Economic Development; four years as a Director with the firm of Coopers & Lybrand in Washington DC; and ten years doing community planning with the Virginia Department of Planning and Community Development and the City of Hartford, Connecticut.

As Executive Director of the Thomas Jefferson Partnership, he was responsible for establishing and implementing a program to encourage career ladder job creation through new business development and the expansion of existing businesses.  Working with the University of Virginia, participating localities, two community colleges and private investors Bob provided site location assistance to new and expanding businesses and directed a comprehensive program of services to existing businesses.  While with the Virginia Department of Economic Development, he was responsible for promoting the attraction of both national and international firms to the Commonwealth, as well as commercial motion picture production through the efforts of the Virginia Film Office. 

As a consultant with Coopers & Lybrand he directed a comprehensive update of the City of Newark, New Jersey’s Master Plan as well as the formulation of an Economic Development Strategy designed to strengthen the local economy.  The plan and strategy focused on evaluating the factors that affect business investment and the role that local governments can play, though planning and the provision of services, to enhance their competitive position.  Prior to his involvement in a wide cross section of local, regional and state economic development activities, Bob was responsible for a statewide study of Virginia’s critical environmental areas, along with recommended protective legislation, an update of Virginia’s Air Transportation System Plan, and the preparation of many zoning and subdivision ordinances.

Bob was graduated from the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture with a Bachelor of City Planning degree and is a member of AICP.  He served in the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers as a platoon leader and company commander and now resides with his wife, Cindy, in Charlottesville, Virginia where he is a member of the boards of directors of CvilleRail and the Ash Lawn Opera Festival.  

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