Meet our Board Members

 

James Edwards: Chairman of the Board

Education

• William & Mary – B.A. Government
• University of South Carolina – Juris Doctorate
• George Washington University’s – Master’s in labor law

Professional Experience

• Partner in four law firms
• Family Law Mediator
• Founder of Upfront Mediation

Community Involvement

• Deacon at First Presbyterian Church
• Past Chairman of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Upstate board
• Co-founder of Sparkle City Transparent Men

 

George Nixon: Board Member

Education

• University of Michigan Business School – MBA
• Davidson College – BA in Economics

Professional Experience

• Owner of Allegra Printers in Spartanburg, SC
• Regional Director of Allegra Network, South Atlantic Region
• Spartanburg Art Museum – Board President

Community Involvement

• Activities to help others maximize their potential
• Community volunteer and financial supporter

 

Rick Dent: Board Member

Education

• University of Virginia – Darden School of Business – MBA
• Sewanee – University of the South – BA Political Science

Professional

• President and CEO of Mayfair Mills – 28 years
• VP and Executive Director of Spartanburg Healthcare System Foundation
• Spartanburg Day School – Board Member Emeritus

Community Involvement

• Serving on non-profit boards
• Serving on community gift campaigns
• Sales and Customer Relations

 

J.W. Strickland: Secretary and Treasurer

Education

• University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
• Master of Business Administration
• Juris Doctor degrees
• B.A. Degree

Professional Experience

• South Carolina Bar Association
• Adjunct Professor at Wofford College
• Miliken & Company – Tax Attorney
• Arthur Anderson & Company, New York, NY

Community Involvement

• Teaches seminars on taxes and accounting
• Served on partnerships and real estate teams
• Sertoma Club
• Chairperson for National Heritage Program

 

Tom Eller: Truist

 

Janis Turrentine: Community Volunteer

 

Meet our Program Consultant

 

Dr. Brooke Hardin: Academic advisor

Education

• Appalachian State University - Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Literacy Education

• Appalachian State University - MA in Reading Education 

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - BA in Elementary Education

Professional Experience

• USC Upstate - Associate Professor of Elementary Education

• USC Upstate - Campus Director of Teaching Fellows & Campus Partner for Teacher Cadets in Spartanburg, Union, & Cherokee Counties

• Curriculum Coach & Reading Clinic Supervisor

Community Involvement

• Committee Member for Spartanburg Young Life

• Elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church

• Board Member for Adult Learning Center