Meet Our Education Directors

Richard Blackwell

VP of Development, SE Region
Agracel, Inc.

At Agracel, Inc., Richard's tenure as Vice President of Development has been marked by a steadfast commitment to fostering industrial growth and community prosperity in the Southeast Region. His role is characterized by a dynamic blend of development and acquisition solutions, tailored to meet the evolving demands of both companies and communities within the industrial real estate sector.

Before joining Agracel in August 2018, he served as executive director of the Oconee Economic Alliance, the economic development arm of Oconee County (South Carolina), where he led a comprehensive approach to economic growth that led to over 1500 new jobs and over half-a-billion in new taxable capital investment for the community within six years.

Blackwell earned both a Masters in Public Administration and Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of South Carolina. He has completed the ‘Basic Economic Development Course’ through the Georgia Institute of Technology: he earned an Executive Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Duke University; has earned a Certificate in Leadership from Clemson University and is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma (OU EDI). He also is a 2018 graduate of the inaugural class of the Advanced Economic Development Leadership program conducted by Clemson University, University of New Mexico, Texas Christian University, University of Alabama, and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Blackwell is a South Carolina Ports Ambassador, he also currently serves on the board of the Appalachian Development Corporation, the SC Automotive Council, the Southern Economic Development Council, SC Rural Innovation Network, and is a two-time President of the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association.

Jason Kester

Regional Development Director
Agracel, Inc.

Jason Kester is responsible for Agracel projects across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. He has assisted with site location projects in the chemical, food, automotive, and plastics industries. He helped to establish the South Point & Ohio Railroad and has worked on multiple river and rail projects. Prior to joining Agracel, Jason served as a Prosecuting Attorney in Columbus, OH and he is currently the Chief of Military Justice for the Ohio Army National Guard. Jason was the Executive Director for the Southern Ohio Port Authority and served as a Project Manager for JobsOhio.

Jason received his undergraduate degree from Shawnee State University, a master’s degree in political science from Miami University, and his Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School with an Environmental Law certification. He is a graduate of the Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute and an Economic Development Finance Professional. Jason is an instructor for the Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio economic development basic courses and is a frequent speaker on development and real estate topics. In addition to LDF, he serves on the conference planning committees for Mid-America EDC and the Ohio Economic Development Association.

In addition, Jason is a volunteer firefighter, youth sports coach, and an Afghanistan Veteran who worked on Rule of Law and Community Development while serving overseas.