April Allen re-appointed to EOC

April Allen, Director of U.S. Government Relations for Continental, has been re-appointed to serve on the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC). Allen was re-appointed by Speaker of the House Jay Lucas, to serve as his business appointee to the EOC. She has occupied this seat on the EOC since February 2016. 

Recognized for her experience in political and government relations, Allen leads the team at Continental that develops strategies to raise awareness of industry needs and issues that impact Continental products, locations, and employees. Prior to her work with Continental, she served as the liaison for Continental Tire during the construction and startup of the Sumter Tire Plant. Allen has served as the president of a large trade organization for professional economic developers, working to create an incentive package to attract more businesses to South Carolina. She has served on the staffs of two state Governors and three state Secretaries of Commerce.

Allen is the current chair of the SC Manufacturers Alliance, a statewide trade association that works to advance policies and provide services that help manufacturers create economic strength and jobs. A graduate of Columbia College, Allen is also a member of Leadership Columbia and Furman University’s Diversity Leadership Program. She is active in several global manufacturing and business organizations.

Allen and her husband live in Columbia with their two sons.

The SC Education Oversight Committee is an independent, non-partisan group made up of 18 educators, business persons, and elected leaders. Created in 1998, the committee is dedicated to reporting facts, measuring change, and promoting progress within South Carolina’s education system.