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

 

Bill Caldwell: Board Member

Education

  • University of South Carolina – B.S. Business Administration

Professional Experience

  • Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Waldrop Inc.
  • Executive Director with Fluor in project, division, and sales management in Industrial and Commercial Business unit
  • Hall of Fame Inductee, Clemson University, College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities (2019)

Community Involvement

  • Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce
  • Piedmont Women’s Clinic supporter
  • Guest lecturer for Clemson University Department of Construction and Science management

 

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

 

Dr. Laura Reynolds: Board Member

Education

  • University of South Carolina - Ph.D. in Educational Psychology
  • Midwestern State University - M.A. in American History
  • Michigan State University - B.A. in Multidisciplinary Social Science

Professional Experience

  • USC Upstate - Dean of the School of Education, Human Performance, and Health since 2018
  • University of Michigan-Dearborn - Associate Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services

Community Involvement

  • Partners with nonprofit organizations in India and Vietnam that create urban and rural playgrounds targeting improved child outcomes and community health
  • Peer-reviewer/Evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
  • Board Member for American Red Cross of the Upstate

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