ECA is a fiscally sponsored program of United Charitable, a registered 501(c)(3) public charity.
Meet Our Team
Raquel Padgett Exec. Director/Founder
Entrepreneur, Business Consultant, Speaker, Author
Raquel Padgett is a business mogul and mother of three. She can be seen and heard making guest appearances on radio, TV, and in business workshops and conferences. Raquel is a graduate of South Carolina State University, with over 20 years of experience in business development, marketing, program development and business consulting. She has worked with large organizations such as BellSouth, The American Heart Association, BET (Black Entertainment Network), Old Navy, Coca-Cola, Charleston County Government, the University of South Carolina, the Medical University of South Carolina and several other national organizations and corporations cementing her skills. She is developing new programs and businesses opportunities across several industries such as import/export, tourism, and product development.
Raquel is thrilled to bring her leadership, expertise, and experience to the non-profit arena as Executive Director of the Economic Continuity Alliance focusing on supplier diversity and corporate support in the private and governmental sectors. Raquel enjoys empowering minority businesses to aim higher with contracts and procurement while educating the procurement community about the plight of minority businesses. She also leans into every aspect of economic development and sustainability to advance a higher level of livability for all people.
In her role as Executive Director at Entrepreneurship for All, Raquel again combines her love for community along with her extensive experience in business development to help entrepreneurs achieve economic sustainability through business ownership. She previously served as Program Director of Good Enterprises. While there, she also instructed their twelve-week entrepreneurship program, the Community Business Academy graduating over 300 participants.
As the owner of a business consulting and coaching agency, and a consultant to several firms in various industries, Raquel knows first-hand the amount of perseverance and grit it takes to run a successful business. She is a passionate advocate for the minority business community and has helped hundreds of business owners throughout South Carolina and beyond. Raquel also collaborates with organizations, municipalities, and other agencies on behalf of small and minority businesses and community programs.
Raquel serves on the Board of Directors for Trident Literacy and the City of Charleston MWBE Advisory Board. Her accomplishments and awards include serving on the Governor’s Council under Governor Mark Sanford and receiving awards from the council, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and Select Health for her community health work throughout South Carolina. She has been recognized by many other organizations for her work in business and entrepreneurship.
When Raquel takes a break, you will find her spending time with family, fishing, traveling, and exploring possibilities for more business ventures.
Harold Gillens, ECA Advisory Board Chair, PSP, CHS-III, CFC
President & CEO for Quintech Solutions, Inc.
Harold C. Gillens is the President and CEO of Quintech Solutions, Inc., a Security Consulting and Construction Management firm. He has over 30 years of experience in both Security Engineering and Design/Build Construction projects. He is a Board Certified Physical Security Professional (PSP), a Certified Forensic Consultant (CFC), and certified in Homeland Security Level III (CHS-III).
He holds extensive experience in leading complicated Security Tasks which include a particular expertise in the areas of Security Engineering, Security Master Plan Development, Electronic Security System Design, Program/Project Management for the Construction of Secure Rooms, Emergency Operations Center (EMOC) and Sensitive Compartmented Information Centers (SCIFs). These tasks have been performed for the Department of Defense, GSA, DHS and many other Federal, Commercial and Educational Agencies.
Holding a General Contractor License within the states of South Carolina and Georgia, Quintech has also been engaged in extensive renovation projects in the last five years for the aforementioned agencies and has recently completed projects for the following clients: Trident Technical College, The University of South Carolina, Charleston County & Lexington County School Districts and Georgia Government Agencies.
Along with his various professional certifications, Mr. Gillens holds a Masters of Engineering Management from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Clemson University. As a fierce advocate of giving back, he established the Gillens Family Endowment Fund for Diversity in Engineering and is a member of the Clemson University Dean of Engineering’s Leadership Circle. Mr. Gillens had the honor of serving as Past President (2014 – 2016) for the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) making him the 1st African American President since the organization’s inception in 1980! He is also a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and active with the Moncks Corner Alumni Chapter.
A family man, Mr. Gillens has been happily married for the past 33 years to Mrs. Ophelia Gillens, the Director of Counseling at Gregg Middle School. Together they have raised two sons, Clifton (30) and Brian (25). Clifton (Lander Alumni) is currently a FOIA Support Specialist in Alexandria, VA and Brian (Clemson Alumni) is a Sales & Inventory Specialist at ColaKicks in Charleston, SC. He believes in “Family First” and loves spending quality time with his boys and traveling with his wife, especially during Clemson Football Season.