The University of South Carolina Salkehatchie Leadership Institute has announced the 19 participants of its 2024 Leadership Salkehatchie class. This prestigious, regional leadership development program is offered by USC Salkehatchie and sponsored by SouthernCarolina Alliance. Alumni of the program serve as leaders in business, healthcare, education, government, and non-profits across the Salkehatchie region.
The 2024 cohort, as well as graduates from the 2022 and 2023 classes, were recognized at a kick-off event at USC Salkehatchie’s Allendale campus.
“Congratulations to those of you who have participated in and have recently been selected to participate in this prestigious program,” Dean April Cone said. “The Leadership Institute and SouthernCarolina Alliance have a 20+ year history of developing strong leaders in the Salkehatchie region. Your commitment to participate in this program speaks volumes about your investment in yourself and the economic development of our region. It also speaks volumes about your employer’s investment, not only in the economic development of our region, but also in you.”
Cone also introduced one of Salkehatchie’s newest team members, Shelby Broomfield, who was recently named director of USC Salkehatchie’s Leadership Institute and is also a 2019 Leadership Salkehatchie alumnus.
Danny Black, President and CEO of SouthernCarolina Alliance says that this program helps promote the region's greatest asset - its people.
“SouthernCarolina Alliance is proud to once again partner with USC Salkehatchie in sponsoring this important leadership program. As the regional economic development organization recruiting industries to our seven counties, SCA understands more than most that our people are our region’s greatest asset," Black said. "We need to foster strong partners who understand the importance of economic development in improving the quality of life for our rural communities, and these are the future and current leaders who will be shaping our communities for decades to come. We are pleased to welcome them to this prestigious program and count them among the transformational leaders in our part of South Carolina.”
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.
2024 Leadership Salkehatchie Class
| Name | Employer | County |
| Jennifer Bryant | Gehl Foods Southeast | Colleton |
| Shanda Crawford | Dreams Imagination & Gift Development Program | Barnwell |
| Tricia Gordon | Barnwell County First Steps | Barnwell |
| Victoria Gunnells | SRP Federal Credit Union | Barnwell |
| Nancy Gutierrez | City of Hardeeville | Jasper |
| Jodi Kearse | Allendale County E911 | Allendale & Hampton |
| Enterick Lee | Southern Palmetto Regional Chamber of Commerce | Barnwell |
| Stewart McAdoo | Colleton County Chamber of Commerce | Colleton |
| Alisha Moore | Bamberg County | Bamberg |
| Tammy Rimes | Savannah River Nuclear Solutions | Barnwell |
| Victoria Rizer | Enterprise Bank of SC | Colleton & Bamberg |
| Keelie Robinson | SC Lowcountry Tourism Commission | Colleton, Jasper, Beaufort, & Hampton |
| Lish Sabb | Allendale County Rescue Squad | Allendale |
| Monique Smalls | Barnwell County Consolidated School District | Barnwell |
| Meagan Stoner | HCA Healthcare | Colleton |
| Karen Terry | Hampton County Regional Medical Center | Hampton |
| Josh Urwick | Souther Carolina Alliance Regional Development Alliance | Barnwell, Bamberg, & Allendale |
| Melanie Wooten | Hampton County Regional Medical Center | Hampton |
| Meredith Wright | Barnwell County | Barnwell |
2023 Leadership Salkehatchie Class
| Name | Employer | County |
| Noah Alexander | Hampton County | Hampton |
| Erinn McGuire | Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor's Office | Beaufort |
| Christie Slocum | Colleton Museum & Farmers Market | Collenton |
| Steven Baker | K. Hovnanian Homes | Collenton |
| Jack Hutto | Hampton County School District | Hampton |
| Donna Lamb | Colleton County Economic Alliance | Colleton |
| Ryan Coleman | Town of Bluffton | Beaufort |
| James "Will" Kearse | Savannah River Nuclear Solutions | Barnwell |
| Haley Rowe | University of South Carolina Salkehatchie | Colleton |
| Graci Hiers | Southern Carolina Alliance | Hampton |
| Lawrence Wiggins | Allendale Police Department | Allendale |
| Lawanda Patterson | Savannah River Nuclear Solutions | Allendale |
| Jessica Brabham-James | Barnwell School District 45 | Barnwell |
| Bob Snead | Southern Palmetto Regional Chamber of Commerce | Barnwell |
| Sunil Tadamatla | Eat Street Multi-Cuisine Restaurant | Barnwell |
| Neil Parsons | City of Hardeeville | Jasper |
| Matthew Davis | City of Hardeeville | Jasper |
| Kathy Rhoad | Southern Carolina Alliance | Hampton |
2022 Leadership Salkehatchie Class
| Name | Employer | County |
| Michelle Altman | Clemson Extension, Rural Health Agent | Hampton |
| Alicia Davis | Davis Tax Consulting & Financial Services/City of Barnwell | Barnwell |
| Austrai Bradley | Williston School District 29 | Barnwell |
| Marilyn Myrdal | MyrTec | Allendale |
| Natalia Johnson | Savannah River Nuclear Solutions | Barnwell |
| Dawn Stuckey | Clemson University Extension | Hampton |
| Kevin Smalls | Colleton County Sheriff's Office | Colleton |
| Maryann Blake | Maryann Blake Attorney at Law | Colleton |
| Elizabeth Wooten | Savannah River Nuclear Solutions | Hampton |
| Nathan Catoe | Enterprise Bank of South Carolina | Barnwell |