Gary V. Thrift                       

Founder/President

Gary founded Thrift Development alongside his father, Glenn Thrift, in 1994. He now serves as President of the company. Before starting Thrift Development, Gary worked for Thrift Brothers General Contractors, which was founded by his father and his father’s brothers in the 1950s. Gary grew up working in the family business and has helped build many of the roads across the upstate of South Carolina.

In addition to Thrift Development, Gary is also the President and Owner of Thrift Group, Inc. and Tri-County Ace Hardware, a family-owned chain of six Ace Hardware retail stores across upstate South Carolina. Gary has over 40 years experience in both the construction business and the retail hardware business and continues to guide the family companies by the values instilled in him by his father: honesty, integrity and faithfulness. 

Gary lives in Seneca with his wife, Cathy. They have three adult children, Rush, Hayley and Ford, and two grandchildren.

Education

  • University of South Carolina, B.A. (1982)

Present Boards/Affiliations

  • Vice President of Ketchen Land Company

  • Chairman of the Board, Community First Bank

  • Oconee Economic Alliance Board Member

Past Boards/Affiliations

  • Trustee, Rabun Gap Nacoochee School

  • Trustee, Anderson University