“H” is for Heller, Max (1919-2011). Civic leader, mayor of Greenville. A native of Vienna, Austria, Heller’s family lost their business when the Nazis invaded Austria in 1936. He contacted a friend in Greenville, and she secured him a job. Heller began work at Piedmont Shirt Company as a stock clerk and eventually became vice president and general manager. Subsequently Heller formed two shirt companies, Williamston Shirt company and Maxton Shirt Company. In 1968 he was elected to the Greenville City Council. Three years later was elected mayor—serving until 1979. As mayor he championed the desegregation of city facilities. In 1979 Heller was appointed chair of the State Development Board. In five years he oversaw the creation of 67,000 jobs. Under Max Heller’s leadership the annual recruitment value of industry topped $3.6 in 2023 dollars.
"H” is for Heller, Max (1919-2011)
