Provost Doris Helms and Leadership S.C. Chairman Marc Johnson awarded diplomas to the Class of 2005 upon completion of the nine-month leadership development program that exposes civic-minded individuals to South Carolina's most pressing issues and challenges through a series of seven topical sessions.

"Leadership South Carolina is delighted to be part of Clemson's Institute for Economic and Community Development, which enhanced LSC's vision of building a network of informed and energized individuals to better South Carolina," said Johnson, chairman of Leadership S.C., a division of Public Service Activities.

Former Governor Jim Hodges and state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter (R-Orangeburg), both Leadership S.C. alumni, addressed the class, outlining the importance of having focused and obtainable goals, a clear understanding of the strategy and being sensitive to others' perspectives. Both stressed the urgency of giving back to local communities for positive outcomes.

The first Clemson class also enjoyed a presentation on the future of research in the state with Clemson's Vice President for Research Dr. Chris Przirembel and dinner at the S.C. Botanical Garden with Leadership S.C. alumni and program presenters.

Leadership South Carolina, now in its 27th year, is the state's oldest and most respected leadership development program. The program accepts no more than 50 participants a year who have demonstrated commitment to their community and strive to reach a higher level of service to the Palmetto State.

The nine-month program incorporates the state's experts in various fields to explore natural resources, quality of life, economic development, education, social issues and diversity in seven three-day sessions held around the state. At each session, participants meet additional professionals, business executives, community and government leaders and social change agents who network and encourage them to pursue positive change in South Carolina.

Below, please find the Leadership South Carolina Class of 2005:

David Gibbs Barnett, executive director,
First Citizens Bank, Greenville

Reginald W. Belcher (Reggie), shareholder,
McNair Law Firm, PA, Columbia

Gale Bivines, grants manager,
S.C. Parks, Recreation & Tourism, Columbia

Randy Britton, district manager, business and government relations,
Duke Power Company, Greenville

Michael B. Burn, project director,
Fluor Corporation, Greenville

Tony Caver, D.V.M., director,
Clemson University Livestock Poultry Health Division, Columbia

James L. Coleman, chief executive officer,
Margaret J. Weston Medical Center, Clearwater

Rebecca Collier (Becky), associate director,
University of South Carolina - IPSPR, Columbia

Anthony MonCrief Coyne, associate dean for academic affairs,
University of South Carolina at Sumter, Sumter

Katherine W. Davis (Kat), vice president, planned giving and grants,
Palmetto Health Foundation, Columbia

Brad Dean, president and chief executive officer,
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Myrtle Beach

Paul T. Deason, deputy director, Savannah River National Laboratory
Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Aiken

Ronald L. Drayton, vice presidents for arts and sciences Midlands Technical College, Columbia

Mollie Fout, director of career services
Coastal Carolina University, Conway

Thomas Lawton Harper (Tommy), owner
Harper Company, LLC, Estill

Marcus Harris, power marketer
SCANA Energy Marketing, Columbia

P. Mason Hogue, Jr. (Mason), partner
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, Columbia

Mac Horton, director, Sandhill Research and Education Center,
Clemson Institute for Economic and Community Development, Columbia

Eleanor Kitzman, president,
Driver's Choice Insurance Services, Columbia

Greg A. LaPointe, senior vice president, S.C. commercial banking director,
Wachovia Bank, N.A., Greenville

Christopher A. Latham (Christopher), private bank market executive,
Bank of America, Charleston

Michael McKelvy, AIA, vice president,
Lockwood Greene, Spartanburg

Hamid Mohsseni (HR), president and chief executive officer,
ARG, Inc., Anderson

Julia A. Nelson, executive director,
Sumter County First Steps Partnership (SCFS), Sumter

Michael Pierce, senior director, pharmaceutical process development,
Roche Carolina Inc., Florence

Col. Charles L. Platt (Ricky), plans, operations and military support officer,
S.C. Army National Guard, Columbia

Brady H. Porth III (Toby), manager, power systems territory,
Blanchard Machinery Company, West Columbia

Renee' Buyck Romberger, vice president, professional services,
Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Spartanburg

W. Daniel Sisson, Jr. (Daniel), area vice president - South Carolina,
BellSouth, Columbia

Katherine G. Stephens (Kathy), vice president,
Palmetto Health, Columbia

Michelle K.W. Strange, community relations director,
Anderson County, Anderson

Leshia Utsey, director of public relations,
City of Columbia, Columbia

Eileen Wallace, group leader - bulk power,
Santee Cooper, Moncks Corner

Olga West, manager, bilingual communications,
Colonial Supplemental Insurance, Columbia

Jeff Willis, partner,
Gray & Willis Homes, Easley

(Image provided by Clemson University, SHRS, Lockwood Greene, and First Citizens.)

all contents copyright © 2005, greenville.com. contact: info@greenville.com or 864.235.1211
For listing and advertising information...