2022-23 Leadership Salkehatchie class announced

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Contact: Stephanie Gruber

​Coordinator of Communications and Marketing

​Email: grubersi@mailbox.sc.edu

​Phone: 803.686.4665

The University of South Carolina Salkehatchie Leadership Institute has announced the 19 participants of its 2022-23 Leadership Salkehatchie class. This prestigious, regional leadership development program is offered by USC Salkehatchie and sponsored by the SouthernCarolina Alliance. Alumni of the program serve as leaders in business, healthcare, education, government, and non-profits across the Salkehatchie region.

“I’m thrilled with this year’s Leadership Salkehatchie cohort. This year’s class includes emerging leaders from Allendale, Barnwell, Bamberg, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties, who are stepping up to the plate to grow their skills to continue their public service and address tough issues facing the region,” Jackson Alexander, director of the USC Salkehatchie Leadership Institute, said.

The year-long program will include workshops designed to empower participants with the economic development knowledge and the skills needed to cultivate progress within our region. The program highlights the strengths of the Salkehatchie region and explores the obstacles facing small-town America. Program topics include economic development, education, the judicial system, local government, legislative advocacy, leadership skills, and diversity.

Alexander says he is grateful for the continued partnership with the SouthernCarolina Alliance because they understand that developing strong leaders is paramount to the future of economic development in the Salkehatchie region. SouthernCarolina Alliance has sponsored the regional leadership program in partnership with USC Salkehatchie for more than 20 years.

“We need leaders who understand the importance of economic development, education and training in fostering great communities for both families and businesses. The leadership program brings together our brightest and most promising leaders to share ideas about the future of our region, collaborate, and learn more about the impact of health care, education, training, taxation, infrastructure, and our environment to create a shared vision for the future,” Vice President, Marketing for SouthernCarolina Alliance Kay Maxwell said. “We are pleased that many of our past leadership participants are now today’s leaders in industry, business, nonprofits, and local and county government. They are making decisions every day that will create stronger communities for our future, and SouthernCarolina Alliance is proud to be a part of that.”

The new members of the Leadership Salkehatchie class are:

Allendale County

Lawanda Patterson, Project Manager, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions

Lawrence Wiggins, Chief of Police, Allendale Police Department

Barnwell County

Sunil Kumar Tadamatla Christopher, Owner and General Manager, Eat Street Multi-Cuisine Restaurant

Bob Snead, Program Coordinator, Southern Palmetto Regional Chamber Innovation Center

Jessica Brabham-James, Assistant Principal, Barnwell School District 45

James W. “Will” Kearse, Sub-Contractor to the Department of Energy, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions

Bamberg County

April Wolfe, Nursing Academic Program Manager, University of South Carolina Salkehatchie

Kathy Rhoad, Director of Strategic Initiatives, SouthernCarolina Alliance

Beaufort County

Ryan Coleman, GIS Manager, Town of Bluffton

Erin McGuire, Communications Manager, 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office

Colleton County

Graci Hiers, Regional Beautification Marketing Coordinator, SouthernCarolina Alliance

Haley Rowe, Interim Director of Student Success and Engagement, University of South Carolina Salkehatchie

Donna Lamb, Executive Assistant, Colleton County Economic Alliance

Steven Baker, Charleston Area Director of Land Development, K. Hovnanian Homes

Christie Slocum, Colleton Museum Coordinator, Colleton Museum and Farmers Market

Hampton County

Jack Hutto, Director of Communications and Grants, Hampton County School District

Noah Alexander, County Council Member, Hampton County Council

Jasper County

Matthew Davis, Acting City Manager, City of Hardeeville

Neil Parsons, Director of Administrative Services, City of Hardeeville