Andrew Ratchford

Andrew Ratchford is a Director at Site Selection Group, where he focuses on evaluating sites and infrastructure for developability, capacity, and potential improvements. He manages project requests for information, coordinating detailed reports and site visits with clients and community representatives. In addition to working with corporate clients, Andrew assists economic development organizations by providing strategic improvement plans aimed at making sites more attractive for investment. He also leads site identification efforts, assembling potential sites based on key industrial factors such as utility access and proximity to major transportation networks.

Before joining Site Selection Group, Andrew built a diverse background in real estate, holding key roles across the non-profit, public, and private sectors. His career began in non-profit housing development, where he managed federal housing grants and affordable housing projects. He then transitioned to public sector work as a community and regional planner for Greenville County, South Carolina, supporting planning, entitlement, and ordinance development. In the private sector, Andrew gained experience developing and upgrading multi-family assets with Graycliff Capital Partners and conducting site selection advisory services with Global Location Strategies. Each step of his career was a deliberate move to gain a broader perspective in real estate, leading him to site selection—a perfect fit for his interests.

With 13 years of experience in real estate, Andrew brings deep expertise in site development and infrastructure, particularly for industrial assets. He has a special interest in energy and brownfield redevelopment, working with clients such as Nacero, Georgia Pacific, Tennessee Valley Authority, Wisconsin Economic Development, CSX Railroad, BNSF Railroad, and Hoosier Energy.

Andrew is particularly excited about the rising utility demands in the industrial sector, which present both challenges and opportunities for creative problem-solving. His background in decision modeling and software enables him to provide rich insights that benefit his clients in fast-paced environments. He is also eager to continue learning about the unique processes and requirements of various industries as he supports their location needs.

Andrew holds a Master of Business Administration from Clemson University and a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from North Greenville University. He is proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, various GIS platforms, and PowerBI.

Outside of work, Andrew enjoys playing electric and bass guitar, hiking, traveling, and cheering on Clemson University football. He also has a passion for lawn care and enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, two children, and their dog. A unique fact about Andrew is that he spent a summer working at Yellowstone National Park during college, stationed at Old Faithful Lodge.