LaunchCola is the Chamber’s youth employment initiative focused on developing paid work-based learning opportunities including youth apprenticeships for the region’s high school juniors and seniors to expand Columbia’s talent pipeline.
LaunchCola/Youth Employment Advisory Council
- Tammy Beagan, Midlands Workforce Development Board
- Kate Bugby, Richland County Economic Development
- Jennifer Cain, Richland District 2
- Lisa Call, MEBA
- Jeremy Catoe, Midlands Technical College
- Veronica Deas, Prisma Health
- Lauren Holland, Midlands Technical College
- Sarah Hopkins, MUSC
- Tavares Joseph, Richland District 2
- Kirsten Pratt, Apprenticeship Carolina
- Kaye Shaw, SCDEW
- Kimberly Smith, W.B. Guimarin & Co.
- Harrison Spear, Diesel Laptops
- Rebecca Taylor, Midlands Technical College
Campus Leaders Campus Leaders (CL) is a 3-month program of six class sessions, a small group project, and a variety of enrichment activities all designed to build leadership and networking skills with an increased awareness of career opportunities here in the Columbia area. Upon successful completion of the program, Campus Leaders participants will receive a Certificate of Professional Development and Etiquette, will have grown their professional network, gained critical mentorships, and increased their knowledge about career opportunities and the vibrant community in Columbia.
Campus Leaders Advisory Council
- Danielle Bethea-Brown, Lexington Medical Center
- Ronald Davis, Midlands Technical College
- Erica Elbery, USC - College of Arts & Sciences
- Mason Gates, Columbia College
- Karla Harper, Allen University
- Julie Hutt, USC - College of Information and Communications
- Charles Kearse II, BCBSSC
- Jacob Koon, Benedict College
- Paige Long, Nucor Buildings Group
- Jessica Lovelace, Palmetto Citizens FCU
- Paul Medlin, Smith & Howard
- Tracy Powers, Newberry College
- Zo Sediqi, USC - Career Center
- Alicia Swager, Food People
- Cynthia Villa, Columbia International University
- Jordan Welch, Dominion Energy
The Public Policy Committee is responsible for articulating Chamber positions on business-related issues and guiding the Chamber’s advocacy activities on both the local and state level. Issues impacting regional growth, economic development, and the creation of jobs are reviewed by this committee which makes a recommendation to the Executive Committee on the position of the Chamber.
For more information about the Public Policy Committee, please call (803) 733-1121 or email Logan Howard.
- Mark James, Cypress Commercial & Investment Real Estate
- David Adams, MUSC Health
- Benton Williamson, Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd
- John Cadena, Dominion Energy
- Brooks Owings, Wilson Kibler
- Kevin Ross, Aflac
- Ted Creech, SCDOT
- Katie Titus, SC Farm Bureau Federation
- Amanda Taylor, AT&T
- Sym Singh, Scout Motors
- Zach Lundberg, Colliers
- Shayla Merritt, Unum
- Matt Porth, Mid-Carolina Electric Coop
Diplomats act as an extension of the Chamber staff throughout the community, adding support and lines of communication to our Partnership. A Diplomat’s first and most important objective is to provide outreach and assistance to Partner businesses throughout the year. Connections may be in-person, by phone, or via email. As Diplomats give generously of their time, they may drop by your business hoping to catch you for a short meeting or reach out to you to determine your connection preference. When reaching out to you, give them a few minutes of your time and you will be glad you did. Diplomats will not ask you for contributions or sponsorships. Their goal is strictly to provide you with the information and resources you need to utilize your Chamber Partnership in the most beneficial way to support your own business.
Diplomats also serve the Chamber through volunteer roles and through active participation in the Chamber’s program of work. It’s their in-depth knowledge and hands on experience with Chamber products and services that make them so valuable to our business Partners.
The Leadership Columbia Advisory Board is responsible for maintaining the rich legacy of the Columbia Chamber’s Leadership Columbia program. The Advisory Board shapes and implements the curriculum for the year, including the orientation, retreat, class days, and project process. The Advisory Board is also responsible for selecting candidates for each incoming class.
- Nic Collins, Nic Collins Enterprises
- Dana Austin, SC Forestry Commission
- Jennifer Blackhurst, Synovus/Pinnacle Financial Partners
- Eleanor Dreher Boyd, Midlands Fatherhood Coalition
- Murray Coleman, United Way of the Midlands
- Tammie C. Epps, Prisma Health
- Jennifer Fallaw, South Carolina Federal Credit Union
- Ashley Graham, Dominion Energy
- Duane Harvin Jr., WIS TV
- DeAnna Heard, City of Columbia Police Department
- Lisa Henry, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Todd Hudak, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Kristin Hudson, Hometeam Renovations and Repairs
- Ann Hunter, Designing Grace
- Emily James, Find Great People
- Alex Johnson, Merrill Lynch
- Chris Johnson, Lourie Life & Health
- Chandler Jordan, SC Economics
- Tyler McKenzie, LS3P Associates, Ltd.
- Courtney Melendez, Riggs Partners
- Zach Minton, DWMG
- Megan Newbold, Garvin Design Group
- Anna Peterson, Columbia Chamber
- Kassy Alia Ray, Serve & Connect
- Charles Stuart, Hood Construction
- Brian Taylor, Miller Valentine Construction
- Sara Vernon, McGuireWoods Consulting
- Chuck Whipple, ECS Southeast
For more information about the Leadership Columbia Advisory Board or meetings, please call (803) 733-1124 or email Mary Beth Sanderson.