Annual Report
2018
Dear Chamber Partners, The Columbia Chamber’s mission is simple - to be the unified voice for our regional business community and to promote an environment where businesses can flourish. Our strategic initiative – Forward, Together – sets forth a framework to guide the Chamber into the future. As the Chamber and Board of Directors implement the actions of this plan, we embrace the understanding that it takes us all- working for the same goal- to help Columbia businesses flourish. The greater Columbia area is quickly becoming “The Place” to live, work, and play. At the epicenter of the business community is the Columbia Chamber. In that leadership role, we must continue to focus on the cost of doing business in the region. We have to reduce the burden placed on business to be competitive with comparable and surrounding communities in order to advance the region. The Annual Report provides a snapshot of the accomplishments of the past fiscal year. Additional information can be found online at www.columbiachamber.com. On behalf of the Board of the Directors, we invite you to connect with us and help transform our region into one where businesses of all sizes and industries thrive. Sincerely,
David C. Lockwood III CHAIRMAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Connect We provide opportunities for growth through networking and education
The Chamber, along with USO South Carolina, proudly hosted a welcome breakfast for Brigadier General Milford Beagle, Jr who returned to Fort Jackson as its 51st Commanding General.
The Leadership Columbia Alumni Association, comprised of graduates of the Leadership Columbia program, held six luncheons that included community and business leaders who shared their insights on leadership and making Columbia a better place to work and live.
The Diplomats, who act as an extension of Chamber staff, welcomed six new members who quickly embraced their role in connecting Partners with the Chamber.
The largest event of the year, the 115th Annual Gala, was well attended and paid homage to the Ambassador of the Year - USC Women’s Basketball Coach, Dawn Staley.
Engage We share a vision for the future, while attracting, retaining, and expanding business
Partner Engagements grew to become one of the area’s best networking after hours events and attendance grew significantly over the past year.
A new and responsive website was launched and led to an increase in online new Partner sign-ups. columbiachamber.com
The Leadership Columbia Class of 2018 partnered with MIRCI (Mental Illness Recovery Center) and helped with their new youth transitional home for their class project which garnered strong participation and recognition from the community.
The Small Business Council kicked off Small Business Week and spotlighted Uptown on Main, a Chamber Partner since 2009 and one of the first businesses to locate in the Main Street District in 2008.
Impact We create an environment for sustained prosperity and future success through public policy and advocacy
The economic impact of Fort Jackson on the Midlands is approximately $2.4 billion per year. That impact grew with the establishment of the 11th Battalion which resulted in 200 new jobs and accommodations for 1,200 additional soldiers.
Fifty-eight of the Midlands’ most promising leaders graduated in Leadership Columbia’s 45th class. Since 1972, the Chamber has graduated over 2,000 local leaders through this program.
The Columbia Chamber was formed in 1902 and currently serves over 1,200 Partnerbusinesses. We are honored to have 19 Partners who have been members of the Chamber for 70 years or more. A social media campaign was launched in August to highlight and thank those Partners with the hashtag #GreaterTogether.
With more than 65% of the property in Columbia not taxed, this means the majority of businesses have to carry the burden for all. The Chamber convened numerous stakeholders to continue conversations on making the region business friendly.
Transform We enrich our community and build a world-class region
The Chamber’s monthly Issues Forum broadened its discussions to include education, local elections, entrepreneurial support, and local issues including updates on the Richland County Penny Sales Tax.
The Chamber supported the Supreme Court ruling which gave Richland County the opportunity to hit the reset button and put in place accountability measures which provide the necessary oversight for the duration of the Penny Transportation Tax program.
“Power in Heels”, a Power Partner event for females, was held with Representative Wendy Brawley, District 70, discussing the importance of women running for elected office.
The Chamber created a luncheon series in which Partners had the opportunity to talk directly and ask business-related questions of each of the seven candidates running in the gubernatorial primary.
POWER PA RT N E R S
PINNACLE
The Columbia Chamber’s Power Partners are a group of businesses in the Midlands who are dedicated to improving the business climate. These Partners provide an additional leadership base for the Chamber’s Board of Directors, committees, and programs.
VISIONARY
CHAIRMAN
AMBASSADOR 6AM City, LLC Aflac AT&T CMC Steel South Carolina
Colonial Life Founders Federal Credit Union Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. McNair Law Firm, P.A.
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP Palmetto GBA Providence Health Southeastern Freight Lines
The State Media Company Walmart
EXECUTIVE AECOM
Elliott Davis Decosimo, LLC
Nephron Pharmaceuticals
Seibels
AgFirst Farm Credit Bank
Enterprise Leasing Company
Nexsen Pruet, LLC
Shaw Industries, Inc.
AllSouth Federal Credit Union
First Community Bank
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash,
South Carolina Federal Credit Union
Baker & Baker, Real Estate Developers, LLC
Fisher & Phillips, LLP
Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
South State Bank
Bridgestone/Firestone Complete Auto Care
FN America
Palmetto SolarPros
Southern First
Chernoff Newman
Johnson Food Services
Panera Bread
Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffitte, L.L.C.
Coldwell Banker United, Realtors
Lexington Medical Center
Pruitt Health of Blythewood
Terminix Service, Inc.
Columbia Marriott
LTC Health Solutions
Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Trane - Columbia Center of Excellence
Correct Care of SC, LLC
MidlandsBiz Profiles, LLC
PurePOWER Technologies, LLC
Turner, Padget, Graham & Laney, P.A.
Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers
Mungo Homes
Rogers Townsend & Thomas, PC
University of South Carolina
Edens
NAI Avant, LLC
Schneider Electric
Waste Management of South Carolina
Thank you for your support of the Chamber’s efforts to advance the region.
A Framework for Our Future
Strategic Priorities
Finding common ground among various entities with individual plans and building consensus around these is a highly complex process that requires a consistent, long-term, and multi-faceted approach. The Chamber continues to hold conversations and engage with regional stakeholders to address regional business issues.
Chamber Conversations- The Gubernatorial Candidate Series- The Chamber created a luncheon series to allow each of the seven candidates running for Governor to meet directly with the small business community.
Business and Industry in Columbia Political Action Committee, BICPAC, is an independent, non-partisan political action committee that supports candidates who are focused on creating a positive business climate. BICPAC endorsed five candidates running in local Richland County elections. Three of those won and the remaining two candidates fell short of a win with very slim margins in their races – a combined 450 votes short of a win.
Midlands Youth Apprenticeship (MYA) is a Columbia Chamber and MTC Partnership designed to create a talent pipeline for area businesses while creating a viable workplace path for students after high school. Initial program participants include Richland School District Two, Nephron Pharmaceuticals, Palmetto Health, and LTC Healthcare. The Columbia Chamber convened nearly 100 regional stakeholders at two Foresight Labs to discuss and debate the trends most likely to impact the region’s future and ask, “How can we be ready for the future, and what’s the Chamber’s role?” The participants concluded that the Columbia Chamber has an important role to play in the region’s future prosperity. The strategic priorities listed serve as a framework to guide the organization into the future. Along with each priority is an update on the progress made over the past year.
Monitoring legislations such as the “Roads Bill” to ensure governmental accountability for the business community remained an on-going priority for the Chamber. The Columbia Chamber was able to achieve successes for the business community with the passage of the Nuisance Lawsuit bill that protects existing manufacturing or industrial facilities from frivolous lawsuits; the Automatic Stay bill that changes the time a contested hearing’s automatic stay can remain in effect from indefinite to 30 days; and the Expungement of Criminal Records bill which expands current expungement laws to include low-level, non-violent acts.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Board of Directors is a group of dedicated volunteers who set policy direction for the Columbia Chamber
E X E C U T I V E C O M M I T T E E 2 017 - 2 01 8
OFFICERS CHAIRMAN David Lockwood Colliers International
I M M E D I AT E PAST C H A I R M A N John Singerling Palmetto Health
FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR Scott McClelland Elliott Davis Decosimo, LLC
GENERAL COUNSEL Frederick Crawford Richardson Plowden Attorneys at Law
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR Ashleigh Wilson Bowman and Brooke
PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIR Jean Cecil Frick NP Strategy
PA R T N E R R E L AT I O N S C O M M I T T E E C H A I R Kevin Lindler First Citizens Bank
MEMBERS MIKE BRENAN BB&T
HOLT CHETWOOD Wells Fargo
TED CREECH AT&T
ANDY FOLSOM BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
JOHN FOLSOM Colliers International
KENNY JACKSON SCANA
BOYD JONES
Synovus
HEATHER MITCHELL
The Boudreaux Group
SHANNON STEPHENS TD Bank
BOARD MEMBERS D I P LO M AT L I N K C H A I R Phyllis Wood Palmetto SolarPros ISSUES FORUM CHAIR Torrey Rush Osmium Development Group LEADERSHIP COLUMBIA ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR Marshall Minton Turner, Padget, Graham & Laney, P.A. LEADERSHIP COLUMBIA A LU M N I A S S O C I AT I O N ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR
Scott Campbell Providence Health Joe Clark Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. John Durst South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Bill Ellen Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism Elliott Epps Greater Columbia Community Relations Council John Griggs Synovus Gus Dixon Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP
Ryan Newton Graybill, Lansche & Vinzani
General John “Pete” Johnson U.S. Army Training Center and Fort Jackson
MARKETING & C O M M U N I C AT I O N S COMMITTEE CHAIR
Matt Kennell City Center Partnership
Tina Emerson Rogers Townsend & Thomas, PC
David Kirkpatrick South State Bank
M I L I TA RY A F FA I R S C H A I R
Dan Mann Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Dan Beatty SC Education Lottery
JT McLawhorn Columbia Urban League, Inc.
SMALL BUSINESS COUNCIL CHAIR
Joe Nassab Allied Air Enterprises
Ron Harvey Global Core Strategies & Consulting
Dr. Harris Pastides University of South Carolina Dr. Ronald Rhames Midlands Technical College Paul Trippe US Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management Michael Weaver McNair Law Firm, P.A.
STAFF EXECUTIVE OFFICE
CARL BLACKSTONE
HENRI BASKINS
STEPHANIE HUBSCH
Executive Vice President
Executive Assistant
CHELSEY ALLEN
CHARLOTTE BIAN-LINGLE Director of Leadership Development
ASHLEIGH PAIR CONNER
Director of Talent Development & Partner Relations Coordinator
ROSE DANGERFIELD
MICHAEL DRIGGERS
President & CEO
Vice President of Communications & Marketing
SUSAN MCPHERSON Director of Public Policy & Military Affairs
Partner Development Representative
ANNA PETERSON Communications Specialist
Director of Events
AUDRA HAWISHER
Partner Relations Coordinator
EVENTS ANNUAL
MONTHLY
Columbia Impact Awards
Chamber Issues Forum
Thursday, February 20, 2019 Marriott Columbia
Golf Tournament
First Tuesday of the Month Richland Library
Partner Engagement
Thursday, May 9, 2019 Fort Jackson Golf Club
Second Thursday of the Month Visit columbiachamber.com for locations
Small Business Week
Small Business Breakout
May 2019 Columbia
Fourth Friday of the Month Columbia Chamber
117th Annual Gala
Thursday October 3, 2019 Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
QUARTERLY Partner Orientation
October 17, 2018, January 30, April 24, and August 28, 2019 Columbia Chamber
Military Affairs Group
October 30, 2018, January 22, April 23, and July 30, 2019 Columbia Chamber
columbiachamber.com (803) 733.1110
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