Published: August 01. 2010 2:00AM

By Leslie Provence
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Nancy Whitworth is the director of economic development for the city of Greenville and is responsible for commercial and neighborhood revitalization, downtown development, business recruitment and retention, planning and zoning and building codes. A native South Carolinian, she has been in Greenville for over 30 years and has been fortunate to witness firsthand Greenville's transformation.

She received a master of science and bachelor of arts from Clemson University. She is a member of the American Institute for Certified Planners; the International Council of Shopping Centers, serving as alliance chair for South Carolina; and the Urban Land Institute. Whitworth is a graduate of Leadership Greenville and a member of Rotary Club of Greenville, the University Center Board of Visitors, Greenville Professional Women's Forum and First Presbyterian Church. Throughout the years she has been involved in leadership roles in various community organizations.

She has been recognized as Greenville Magazine Businessperson of the Year, a Women Making History honoree, a March of Dimes Real Estate Award honoree and a recipient of the Buck Mickel community leadership award and the Leadership Greenville Distinguished Alumnae Award.

Whitworth and her husband, Jeff, have a married daughter and grandson.

1. Where were you born?

Abbeville, S.C.

2. What one thing really makes your day?

A smile

3. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Sometimes an introvert and sometimes an extrovert.

4. What is your favorite movie?

“The Sound of Music”

5. Is your desk messy or neat?

Definitely messy!

6. What is your pet peeve?

Lazy people

7. What is your favorite thing about Greenville?

From my vantage point, not just one thing about Greenville — it's the whole package that makes Greenville such a great place.

>8. What was your first car?

A 1966 red Chevy coupe with absolutely no amenities!

9. What is your favorite comfort food?

Ice cream

10.What is your favorite gadget?

My Blackberry

11. What is your idea of a dream vacation?

Sitting on a beautiful, quiet beach with a good book and a glass of wine.

12. What is the “coolest” experience you've ever had?

Being a grandparent — it's so fun!

13. What is your favorite thing to cook?

Fresh vegetables from our parents' garden or the farmers market.

14. What is one thing people would never guess about you?

I grew up on a farm.

15. How did you meet your spouse?

We met as students as Clemson.

16. What was your favorite subject in school?

History

17. What advice would you give a young person just starting out?

Keep your enthusiasm for what you do or quickly find something else.

18. Are you a good dancer?

I'm a great dancer (or at least I think so).

19. Do you prefer the mountains or the beach?

Beach

20. If you could invite five people, living or dead, to a dinner party, who would you invite?

My mother (she was a great conversationalist), Jane Jacobs, Thomas Jefferson, Walt Disney and Oprah Winfrey.