Leadership Grand Strand is a program sponsored by the
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerece to develop a
core of informed, committed and qualified individuals
capa-ble of providing dynamic leadership for the Grand
Strand area. For more information call 843.916.7222.
2016 - 2017
LEADERSHIP GRAND STRAND
BOARD OF REGENTS
Diana Greene, LGS XXV
Executive Director
Todd Setzer, LGS XXXIII
Chair
Brian Ferguson, LGS XXXI
Immediate Past Chair
Ashley Setzer, LGS XXXIV
Chair-elect
Jonathan Greenlee, LGS XXXV
Treasurer
Rachel Beckerman, LGS XXXIII
Secretary
Jessica Buttles, LGS XXXV
Kimberly Gomez, LGS XXXIV
Brooke Greenwood, LGS XXXIV
Lori Allen Heafner, LGS XXXVI
Jay Herring, LGS XXXII
Terrance Herriott, LGS XXXI
Paul Hughes, LGS XXXVI
Sarah Jeffcoat, LGS XXXIV
Bill Pritchard, Founder
Hope Wofford, LGS XXXVI
Monica Yates, LGS XXXV
We do our best to provide accurate information, however,
sometimes mistakes do happen. Please contact us if a
correction is in order: [email protected].
Visit our website at www.LeadershipGrandStrand.com
SPRING 2016
A Word From the Executive Director
LGS graduation each year is a bittersweet experience.
There is such joy in watching the class members
graduate after their many months of hard work, but it is
also sad because I will miss seeing them each month.
Leadership Grand Strand Class 36 graduated on
Friday, May 6, at The Dunes Club and 30 wonderful
community leaders have now been added to our alumni
roster. Well, actually 31 new members if you include
Eileen Soisson whom the class made an honorary
member of Class 36. What a fitting tribute to a person
who has made such an amazing impact on our
program. I am also pleased to announce the new LGS
board of regents’ members elected from the class are:
Lori Heafner, Horry Georgetown Technical College
Paul Hughes, Brandon Advertising
Hope Wofford, Miller-Motte Technical College
The class chose Meredith Millen with the United Way of Horry County as their
social coordinator. We also had Todd Rigler from The Pearce Law Group step up
and volunteer to serve as a community service coordinator for the group to keep
them out and about making a difference in the Grand Strand.
Class 36 was an exceptional group, who made this a truly fun and meaningful LGS year.
They brought forth wonderful nominees for the Ann DeBock Leadership Award,
eventually cumulating with Marjorie Thompson being selected as the winner. They
worked on community cleanup events and of course, served as the planning team for
the Youth Leadership Academy, which saw a record number of attendees this year. This
group has left their mark on the program, and I know the class members will continue to
leave their mark on the Grand Strand moving forward.
Please don’t forget that we are accepting applications now for LGS Class 37! Visit
www.LeadershipGrandStrand.com for an application and all relevant details.
Last, I would like to congratulate our new an executive committee team on the LGS
board of regents for 2016-17: Todd Setzer, chair; Ashley Setzer, chair-elect;
Rachel Beckerman, secretary; and Jonathan Greenlee, treasurer.
In this issue:
LGS Class XXXVI Graduates ....................................................... page 2
2016 Ann DeBock Leadership Award ........................................... page 3
Applications for LGS Class XXXVII ............................................page 4
LGS Alumni Social ....................................................................... page 5
LEADERSHIP GRAND STRAND
Leadership Grand Strand Class XXXVI celebrates graduation
After long hours of community service and nine months of education sessions, tours and conversations
with community leaders, Leadership Grand Strand Class XXXVI graduated on May 6 with a new
understanding of our community as well as a new outlook on what it means to be a leader.
Congratulations to the graduates of LGS Class XXXVI:
John Anderson, Horry Telephone Cooperative (HTC)
Ashley Bartol, South State Bank
Meisha Bochicchio, Fuel
Anna Brittain, Brittain Resort Management
Adrian G. Dejeu, Maguire Law Firm
Bertha C. Fladger, Coastal Carolina University Office of Multicultural Student Services
Sherrie Glensky, Grand Strand Happening
Peter Goodman, WonderWorks
Trevor Greene, SiteTech Systems
Katelyn Guild
Alison Jean Hamilton, Raymond James Financial Services
Lori Allen Heafner, Horry Georgetown Technical College
Seth Holek, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Alexis Hudson, Taylor Wellness
Paul R. Hughes, The Brandon Agency
Sherry I. Johnson, Burroughs & Chapin Company
Jessie Kelly, Berkshire Hathaway Myrtle Beach Real Estate
John S. Krajc, II, Coldwell Banker Chicora Real Estate
Meredith Millen, United Way of Horry County
Brandy Newman, Breakers Resort
Cassandra M. Painter, R. Michael Munden, Esq., P.A.
Todd Rigler, The Pearce Law Group, P.C.
Jeff Shumate, WMBF News
Garth Squires, Santee Cooper
Timothy Stewart, Myrtle Beach SkyWheel
Allison P. Stout, Coastal Carolina National Bank
Gregory T. Thompson, Coastal Carolina University
Elizabeth V. Tilley, The Tilley Law Firm, P.C.
Hope Wofford, Miller-Motte Technical College
Pam Wright, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Photo Courtesy of Donald Hovis, LGS 33
PAGE 2
LEADERSHIP GRAND STRAND
PAGE 3
Marjorie Thompson named 2016 Ann DeBock Leadership Award recipient
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s nine-month leadership
program, Leadership Grand Strand, is excited to announce that the 2016
annual Ann DeBock Leadership Award was presented to Marjorie
Thompson, with Coastal Carolina University. The award was presented at
the Ann DeBock Leadership Award Alumni Association Social on Friday,
Jan. 29, 2016, at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club.
Each year, the Leadership Grand Strand class honors one alumnus who has
exhibited outstanding leadership and service. To receive this award, the
recipient must volunteer in service or civic roles, serve on appointed boards
or commissions, and exhibit an overall demonstration of effective leadership
skills.
The 2016 award winner received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at
Wilmington. Thompson moved to Myrtle Beach in 1987 to complete an internship at the former HSA
Coastal Carolina Hospital in Conway. She was recruited to stay and work as a therapist following the
completion of her undergraduate work.
Thompson's career includes stints as director of marketing, public relations, and physician services
for Loris Healthcare System, practice administrator for Carolina Radiology Associates LLC, and director
for philanthropy at Coastal Carolina University. The latter position she has held since 2014.
Thompson is a graduate of Leadership Grand Strand. She also is actively involved and serves as a member
of the Horry County Memorial Library board of trustees, Grand Strand Miracle Leagues board, Women in
Philanthropy and Leadership (WIPL), ZONTA International Foundation board, South State Bank regional
advisory board, and is also the co-chair of the Women’s Leadership Conference and Celebration of Inspiring
Women.
“Marjorie can be defined by what she is passionate about. Three things drive her – a life of service and
generosity, her family, and her belief in Coastal Carolina University,” stated Tory Mackey of The Chapin
Foundation. “Every dimension of her life is an example, a model of service, and leadership.”
Marjorie is married to Lance Thompson, vice president with the Jackson Companies. They have two
daughters, Chandler of Greenville, South Carolina, and Savannah, who is a student at Socastee High School.
The Ann DeBock Leadership Award was commissioned and started by Class XIX in memory of
Ann DeBock, the executive director of Leadership Grand Strand from its inception in 1979 until
her death in 1998.
LEADERSHIP GRAND STRAND
PAGE 4
We’re looking for new up and coming leaders for the LGS XXXVII class!
The Leadership Grand Strand is a nine-month leadership program where members meet for a
full day every month for briefings, tours and seminars. Topics covered include health, education,
law enforcement, cultural affairs, redevelopment, government and other important community issues.
Each LGS monthly program also brings in top level business, civic and government leaders to address
challenges in their fields and answer questions from the class. The class also participates in 75 hours of
community service.
The upcoming program, sponsored by the MBACC, will commence in August 2016 and run through
May 2017. The purpose of Leadership Grand Strand is to develop a corps of informed, committed and
qualified individuals capable of providing dynamic leadership for the Grand Strand area.
Leadership Grand Strand is open to citizens who have resided in Horry or Georgetown County continuously for at least one year prior to the application date. Candidates may be nominated by an organization
or may nominate themselves. Program participation is limited, with selection reflecting the demographic,
geographic and professional diversity of the Myrtle Beach area.
Criteria for selection include evidence of leadership abilities, potential to provide leadership to the Grand
Strand, interest in community affairs, desire to volunteer and commitment to become more involved in
the Grand Strand community. Participants and their sponsoring organizations must be willing to invest
the time required for members to fully participate in the program, which includes a two-day retreat in
September, a full day of classes the first Thursday of each month and 75 hours of community service.
Regular attendance is imperative and mandatory.
Applications for the 2016-2017, which require three letters of reference, must be typed and are due by
June 30, 2016. Applications are available online at www.LeadershipGrandStrand.com. Tuition is $999
per person.
Scholarship opportunities are also available through the William F. Pritchard Scholarship fund. Those
interested in applying for a scholarship are encouraged to visit the Leadership Grand Strand website and
fill out a scholarship application.
For more information, visit www.LeadershipGrandStrand.com or contact the Diana Greene, executive
director, at 843-916-7222.
LEADERSHIP GRAND STRAND
PAGE 5
LGS Alumni Social
May 19 • 5-8 PM
WonderWorks Outside Deck
Join your fellow
classmates and new
class members for an
evening of fun,
fellowship and
exploration!
LGS Alumni Association Members - FREE
Includes admission to WonderWorks during the event and LGS alumni social.
Non-Members - $35
Includes payment of LGS alumni association dues, admission to WonderWorks during the event
and LGS alumni social.
Guests of LGS Alumni Association Members - $5 for one guest (additional guests
$15) Includes admission to WonderWorks during the event and LGS alumni social.
Two complimentary beer or wine tickets per person. Cash bar available.
RSVP by May 16 to Jay Herring at [email protected].
LEADERSHIP GRAND STRAND
PAGE 6
LGS ALUMNI MILESTONES
Madeleine Condron, Class XXXI has recently been appointed to the board of directors for the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality
Association.
Kevin Cox, Class XXX has recently been elected to the Coastal Carolina University Alumni board.
Dennis DiSabato Jr, Class XXIX married Laura Luce on Sept. 12, 2015, in North Myrtle Beach.
Sally P. Howard, Class XIII was elected on April 30, at the SC Democratic Convention in Columbia, to serve as a
Hillary Clinton Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia this summer.
Jill Jemison, LGS XXII and her husband, Todd, and sons Jack (12) and Tanner (9) are embarking on a yearlong adventure
across the United States in June. Plans include exploring many national parks and historical sites along with visiting friends
and family! You can follow them on her blog www.Chasing75degrees.wordpress.com and on Facebook.
Sybil Lee, Class XXVIII went to Kenya in March to work with a team of co-workers from Brightwater to help a program
reduce orphans called Care for AIDS, while there she taught a course in recycle water.
John Reuben Long, Class XXIX Over the past three years, he has traveled to Tanzania, Africa, six times on short-term
mission trips, and has built a strong relationship with the African Inland Church of Tanzania (AICT). John travels to remote
villages, and evangelize for several days. In order to raise funds and awareness, John has established “Beautiful Feet
Ministries” (BFM). He loves the work that God has placed on his heart, reaching the unreached in remote villages in
Tanzania. John and his wife, Mary, will be moving to Tanzania to continue their ministry full-time in 2018.
Rachel Murphy, Class XXXII I was awarded Rookie Manager of the Year by Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts.
She was also elected to serve on the Columbus County Chamber of Commerce (NC) board for a three-year term.
Sally Peeples, Class XXII won a trip to Puerto Rico for being named one of the Top 20 National Sales Producers for
Time Warner Media in 2015.
Timothy Stewart, Class XXXVI has recently been appointed to the board of directors for the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality
Association and the Oceanfront Merchants Association.
Rebecca Tompkins, Class XXXI In February, she went to San Antonio, Texas, for continuing education at the American
Payroll Association (APA). While there, Rebecca sat for, and passed, the Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) exam. This
designation is the highest level of certification provided by the APA. Rebecca owns and operates Forest Acres Payroll, LLC,
a SC-based payroll company that specializes in church and clergy payroll. She also provides payroll services for nonprofits
and small businesses.
Gina Trimarco, Class XXIX founded Pivot10 Results, a corporate training and strategic planning company, to help businesses
shift from people problems to performance results. Carolina Improv Company continues to exist and recently celebrated eight
years in business.
Patricia White, Class XXXV After 11 years with the Courtyard by Marriott - Barefoot Landing as Controller/
HR Manager/F&B Manager/Front Office Manager, she resigned her position effective March 31, and on April 1,
Patricia joined the FSA-Full Steam Ahead family as the Accounts Receivable Coordinator – Invoicing.
Jeffrey Wisniewski, Class XXXI has accepted the position of membership programs & events manager with the Myrtle Beach
Area Hospitality Association.
We’d love to hear about the milestones in your life! Feel free to email us at [email protected]
so we can include it in the next newsletter.