SAGA exec Bob Joyce hailed as 'the man' at retirement event

Jan. 26—Bob Joyce was the man of hour Wednesday night as colleagues, friends and family gathered at the Carolina Trace Clubhouse to celebrate his retirement from the Sanford Area Growth Alliance.

He was presented with proclamations from the Lee County Board of Commissioners and the Sanford City Council recognizing him as a major player in local economic development.

"I don't have a proclamation, but I am going to proclaim that you are the man," said Lisa Chapman, president of Central Carolina Community College.

About 100 people attended the event emceed by Jimmy Randolph, CEO of the Sanford Area Growth Alliance, who presented Joyce with a vase crafted about 1940 by the late A.R. Cole, a well-known Sanford potter.

"I have worked with some of the best people," Joyce said. "It was a team effort. I thank you for this wonderful team of people who have helped me and helped our community."

Joyce, a Lee County native, graduated from East Carolina University and has worked in banking, insurance and state and local governments during his career.

In 2006, Joyce was named president of the Lee County Chamber of Commerce, which later merged with Lee County Economic Corp. in 2014 to create SAGA, according to Kirk Smith, chair of the county commissioners, as he read the proclamation.

Joyce retired from SAGA in 2023 as senior director of Business Retention and Expansion. In 2020, the N.C. Economic Development Association named Joyce as the state's Economic Developer of the Year.

"Mr. Joyce has been instrumental in attracting and introducing a variety of industries and businesses to the Lee County community while solidifying Sanford and Lee County's brand among leading global site selectors as a top-tier advanced manufacturing location," Smith said.

Joyce led recruitment efforts that brought Bharat Forge Aluminum USA Inc., Audentes Therapeutics later purchased by Astellas Gene Therapies, and Abzena Biologics, which was purchased by Pfizer in 2023.

The three companies represented a capital investment of more than $500 million and created 1,005 jobs, according to the proclamation.

Joyce assisted in existing business expansions at Caterpillar, Pfizer, Frontier Spinning, GKN Driveline and Magneti Marelli, which has since closed its Sanford operation.

The city's proclamation, read by Sanford Mayor Rebecca Wyhof Salmon, also noted Joyce's achievements.

"You can look around and see the impact you have made on the lives of everybody here and every single person in Lee County better because of your career," she said.

"You have a lasting and positive impact by the legacy of leadership, collaboration and investment in our community. It's a true honor to celebrate someone who has truly made a difference," Wyhof Salmon said.

Broadway Mayor Donald Andrews presented Joyce with a framed photo of the N.C. Veterans' Memorial Pavilion. He drew a comparison between Joyce and the late Hal Siler, the former economic developer leader in the 1960s and 70s.

"Bob Joyce is our generation's Hal Siler," Andrews said, drawing applause. "We should all strive to be public servants like Bob."

Joyce thanked his wife, Bridget, and his daughters who were in the audience.

"I've had to go to a lot of night meetings and thanks to them for putting up with that," he said.

Joyce won't have a lot of spare time. He's heading up Sanford's Sesquicentennial Celebration — with events scheduled throughout the year.