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PAT G. SMITH City of birth: Cairo, Ga. Education: Master of Public Administration with Honors, University of South Carolina My job: Agency Director, Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School My career: At Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School, since 1975, have served in varying capacities. In 1997, appointed by the board of trustees as director. Community involvement: Mayor, Town of Springdale, 29 years; gubernatorial appointee, S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce; member, Central Midlands Regional Council of Governments; president, S.C. Association of Regional Councils; Board of Directors, Municipal Association of S.C.; president, Lexington County Municipal Association of S.C.; legislative appointee, Columbia Metropolitan Airport Commission; member, Airport High School Improvement Council; member, Cayce West Columbia Chamber of Commerce; recipient, Richard M. Kuffel Award for Excellence in Education; recipient, Order of the Palmetto. What has meant the most to me in my career: The satisfaction of seeing the Wil Lou Gray students overcome personal and family obstacles to obtain an education and become successful, productive citizens. There’s nothing like the smiles on the faces of those students. Here’s some advice I’d give to people just starting out in business: Simply, don’t be afraid of hard work. Here’s something most people don’t know about me: I am an avid outdoorsman and, as a young boy, once played in a piano recital. A book or podcast I recommend: The Last Lion by William Manchester Favorite quote: “Don’t get caught watching the grass grow!”— Coach Dale, from the TV movie The Hoosiers
JOE E. TAYLOR JR. City of birth: Columbia, S.C. Education: Wofford College My job: Investing in transformative real estate projects that have positive impacts as well as with small business owners who want to grow their company or entrepreneurs starting new businesses. My career: The day after graduating college I joined my father at Southland Log Homes. Became president and CEO at age 23. Built the company into the largest producer of precut log buildings in the USA. Sold the company in 2005. Appointed by Mark Sanford to be the first full-time Secretary of Commerce for South Carolina, 2006 to 2011. Recruited the national deal of the year in 2009, The Boeing Co., and in 2010, First Quality Tissue Co. Awarded the Order of the Palmetto in 2010. Since 2011, involved as a private investor in companies including real estate, banking, advertising, and construction. Community involvement: Have served on many community boards including Hammond School and Wofford College (honorary doctorate in 2019). Previously served on Columbia Museum of Art, S.C. National Guard Foundation and Central Carolina Community Foundation. Appointed by as chairman of the S.C. Jobs and Economic Development Authority, 2003-2006. Appointed to serve on the State Infrastructure Bank. What has meant the most to me in my career: Having the opportunity to build a company from a start-up into the largest of its kind in the world, Here’s some advice I’d give to people just starting out in business: If you work an average day, you should expect average pay. A book or podcast I recommend: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Favorite quote: “I’ve learned that the greater a person’s sense of guilt, the greater his need to cast blame on others.” — 46-year-old’s Discovery, Forbes Magazine
August 16 - September 12, 2021
BYRON E. SNELLGROVE
City of birth: Lillington, N.C. Education: Some college My job: Director of Public Safety for the City of Cayce (Chief of Police and Chief of Fire) My career: 38 years of service to the community in both the fire service and law enforcement. Community involvement: Teaching gang and drug indicators to parents and teachers around the state to help them recognize early warnings signs in youth. Implementing a Community Outreach Program to truly become a part of the community and know the community well enough to recognize it needs. Hire and train compassionate officers/firefighters who are dedicated to serving the community with integrity and compassion while improving its quality of life. Supported my officers during the search for missing child Faye Swetlik, who was found murdered in 2020. What has meant the most to me in my career: The dedicated people that I work with. Here’s some advice I’d give to people just starting out in business: Do the right things for the right reasons. Do not compromise yourself or your beliefs. Here’s something most people don’t know about me: I am adopted and only recently found my birth family by using DNA and genealogy sites. A book or podcast I recommend: The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors by James D. Hornfischer Favorite quote: “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send and who will go for us? And I replied, Here am I, send me!” — Isaiah 6:8
RAM’ON O. WIDEMAN City of birth: Greenwood, S.C. Education: B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Public Administration from the University of South Carolina; M.A. in Business with concentration in Management from Webster University; MBA with concentration in Accounting and Finance from Webster University; MHA with concentration in Healthcare Finance from Webster University. My job: Owner/President and CEO of Anointed Business Solutions LLC My career: More than 20 years of experience in managing the business affairs of nonprofit, religious and educational institutions as well as small businesses, including Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services, the S.C. Association of Nonprofit Organizations (now Together SC), the S.C. Education Association, Benedict College, Ridgewood Missionary Baptist Church, MorningStar Fellowship Church, Community Initiatives Inc., Denmark Technical College and Transitions Homeless Center. More than 12 years of experience in ministry and religious leadership. Community involvement: Anointed Life in Christ Ministries Inc. executive board, Rotary International. member of North Columbia Business Association and the Resilient Midlands Prevention Coalition Task Force. Here’s some advice I’d give to people just starting out in business: Work hard, and continuously provide and produce quality services and products. Here’s something most people don’t know about me: I hold two honorary doctorate degrees (one in Business Administration and one in Ministry). A book or podcast I recommend: Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work by David Isay Favorite quote: “A man who fails to continuously seek growth and change is a man who fails to meaningfully exist.” — Willie James Wideman Sr., my dad