SMPS Palmetto

Say hello to our SMPS Palmetto Chapter Columbia Leadership Women's Roundtable speaker, Sara Fawcett, President and CEO at the United Way of the Midlands (SC)! Sara S. Fawcett has been the President and CEO of United Way of the Midlands in Columbia, SC, since June 2017. Prior to this, she served as Vice President of Human Resources at EDENS Investment Trust, where she led HR for one of the largest privately held real estate companies in the U.S. She also spent 14 years at Wachovia Bank in various roles. Under her leadership, United Way received a historic $10 million unrestricted gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, using it to fund affordable housing, workforce development, and lasting community impact. Notable achievements include leveraging $4 million from the gift into $66 million in housing projects and launching Young Men United. In addition, Fawcett has served on the United Way Worldwide Culture Transformation Task Force and led UWM to join the Digital Services Operating Group. She has also been recognized with several awards, including Columbia Regional Business Report’s “Women of Influence” and the 2023 Richard Allen Award. She serves on various boards, including the United Way Association of SC and Central Carolina Community Foundation. Fawcett also holds a degree in economics from the College of William and Mary and is a mother to three children. We look forward to seeing you in Columbia today! Table Speakers: ??Jean Cecil Hudak, Chief Operations Officer at NP Strategy ??Sara Fawcett, President and CEO at United Way of the Midlands ??Kim Crafton, Vice President of Marketing and Air Service Development at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) #smpspalmetto #networkingevent #SMPS #AEC #AECIndustry #construction #engineering #marketing #architecture #aecmarketing #Columbia #columbiasc #greenvillesc #greenville #charleston #charlestonsc

Say hello to our SMPS Palmetto Chapter Columbia Leadership Women's Roundtable speaker, Kim Jamieson Crafton, Vice President of Marketing and Air Service Development at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)! As the Vice President of Marketing and Air Service Development, Kim Crafton is tasked with establishing, leading and executing the overall strategic marketing and communications direction for the airport, while also working to proactively increase air service to the Columbia, SC market. Within her department, she leads a team that implements social media tactics that not only informs the general public of the airports offerings and benefits, but creatively connects with its passengers. CAE's social media presence boasts having the highest number of followers on Instagram of any SC airport. During her time at CAE, Crafton has also aided in increasing air service to the airport with the addition of several new routes and route frequency on all carriers currently operating at CAE. Prior to joining the team at CAE, Crafton was the Public Relations Manager at Discover South Carolina. During her tenure, she oversaw both domestic and international media relations, managed the award-winning South Carolina Chef Ambassador program and spearheaded numerous events for statewide tourism partners. A proud Greenville native, she also attended the University of South Carolina, where she earned a B.A. in public relations and a Masters in Mass Communications with a concentration in Integrated Marketing Communications. A former member of the executive board of Public Relations Society of America Travel and Tourism, Crafton is the immediate past president to the Historic Columbia Board of Trustees and the Marketing Chair to the Midlands Business Regional Competitiveness Council. A graduate of Leadership Columbia and Leadership South Carolina, she was also named an “Outstanding Young Alumni” by the University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications in 2016 and a Women of Influence by the Columbia Regional Business Report in 2020. We look forward to seeing you in Columbia today! Table Speakers: ??Jean Cecil Hudak, Chief Operations Officer at NP Strategy ??Sara Fawcett, President and CEO at United Way of the Midlands (SC)? ??Kim Crafton, Vice President of Marketing and Air Service Development at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) #smpspalmetto #networkingevent #SMPS #AEC #AECIndustry #construction #engineering #marketing #architecture #aecmarketing #Columbia #columbiasc #greenvillesc #greenville #charleston #charlestonsc

Say hello to our SMPS Palmetto Chapter Columbia Leadership Women's Roundtable speaker, Jean Cecil Hudak, Chief Operations Officer at NP Strategy! Jean Cecil Hudak is a seasoned communications expert known for being a dot connector, who leverages her extensive experience and deep industry relationships to craft and execute informed strategies. With a distinguished career that includes roles in the White House under Vice President Dick Cheney and President George W. Bush, Jean Cecil brings her in-depth expertise working with high-profile individuals and government decision-makers to her work as a senior leader with NP Strategy. Cecil Hudak also has long been a champion of women throughout her career, a passion reflected in her roles as a Girl Scout troop leader and board member for the Girl Scouts of South Carolina Mountains to Midlands. She served as Chair of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and continues to play an active role on the Chamber’s Executive Committee. In addition, Cecil Hudak is also a proud South Carolinian raised in Spartanburg and a graduate of Wofford College with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Art History. Beyond her professional achievements, she also takes immense pride in her role as an aunt and godmother. We look forward to seeing you in Columbia today! Table Speakers: ??Jean Cecil Hudak, Chief Operations Officer at NP Strategy ??Sara Fawcett, President and CEO at United Way of the Midlands (SC) ??Kim Crafton, Vice President of Marketing and Air Service Development at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) #smpspalmetto #networkingevent #SMPS #AEC #AECIndustry #construction #engineering #marketing #architecture #aecmarketing #Columbia #columbiasc #greenvillesc #greenville #charleston #charlestonsc

We had a wonderful lunch at our SMPS Palmetto Chapter Greenville Leadership Women's Roundtable in Greenville, SC yesterday! Thank you to our fabulous table speakers: ??Tavia CM Gaddy, Vice President of Economic Development | Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) ??Kim Keefer, Director, Shucker Center for Leadership Development | Furman University ??Laura Beth Medley, Vice President, Chief Human Resources & Corporate Communications Officer | Canal Insurance Company ??Caroline Chandler, Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina Business Development Representative | Banker Exchange, LLC Thank you also to The Loft at Sobys for hosting us and Women In Healthcare, Inc.! #smpspalmetto #networkingevent #SMPS #AEC #AECIndustry #construction #engineering #marketing #architecture #aecmarketing #Columbia #columbiasc #greenvillesc #greenville #charleston #charlestonsc

Time for some spring cleaning? Well, start with your connections! Our lunch tour of the new Prisma Health Center for Health and Life Sciences at the Greenville Technical College on April 17th with Campus Developer Chris Morton from Greenville Technical College and Project Architect Jeff Tiddy from McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture is the perfect opportunity to grow your connections while also allowing your current connections a chance to bloom! ??This event is also offering some major spring savings between now and April 15 at 12:00 a.m., as we are doing a group ticket for $250.00 for 5 non-members to attend (that is only $50 per non-member as opposed to $80 per non-member!). After 12:00 a.m. on April 15th, the group ticket price will go up to $270.00. Therefore, book your group ticket soon!?? More than a building, the Prisma Health Center for Health and Life Sciences is Greenville Technical College's commitment to shaping the future of healthcare and improving the health of the Upstate community. This 137,000 SF facility is the largest on any of Greenville Tech's four campuses and is packed with state-of-the-art facilities focusing on education for medical imaging, ultrasound, radiological technology, and an Atomage Lab where students can dissect digital representations of the human body on life-size screens. We hope to show you around in April! To register or learn more about the program, visit: https://lnkd.in/eMi9guqd To learn more about SMPS Palmetto, visit: https://lnkd.in/eHWRtKEc #smpspalmetto #networkingevent #SMPS #AEC #AECIndustry #construction #engineering #marketing #architecture #aecmarketing #Columbia #columbiasc #greenvillesc #greenville #charleston #charlestonsc

Say hello to our SMPS Palmetto Chapter Greenville Leadership Women's Roundtable speaker, Caroline Chandler, Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina Business Development Representative at Banker Exchange, LLC! Prior to Chandler's current position, she spent five years as an Exchange Coordinator at Banker Exchange, a role in which she honed her expertise in IRC Section1031 tax-deferred exchanges and developed an acute understanding of high-touch customer service. In her role, Chandler combines her deep industry knowledge with a natural flair for relationship building. She also excels in creating new business opportunities by leveraging her extensive network and the trust she builds with clients and industry professionals. Chandler's approach is deeply rooted in her ability to identify individuals and entities who can benefit from the specialized 1031 exchange services offered by Banker Exchange. An avid educator and speaker, Chandler is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others in the field. She frequently conducts presentations on 1031 exchanges for attorneys and real estate professionals, helping to demystify the complexities of tax-deferred exchanges and broaden the understanding within the industry. Her unique blend of experience, industry knowledge, and client-focused approach also makes her an invaluable asset to Banker Exchange and a trusted advisor to her clients. As she continues to expand her reach and impact, Chandler remains dedicated to uncovering new avenues for growth and success for both her clients and Banker Exchange. We hope to see you in Greenville next week! Greenville Program Information: ??The Loft at Sobys ??Wednesday, March 26th, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Table Speakers: ??Tavia CM Gaddy, Vice President of Economic Development | Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) ??Kim Keefer, Director, Shucker Center for Leadership Development | Furman University ??Laura Beth Medley, Vice President, Chief Human Resources & Corporate Communications Officer | Canal Insurance Company ??Caroline Chandler, Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina Business Development Representative | Banker Exchange, LLC Register At: https://lnkd.in/ea87Y9Qw #smpspalmetto #networkingevent #SMPS #AEC #AECIndustry #construction #engineering #marketing #architecture #aecmarketing #Columbia #columbiasc #greenvillesc #greenville #charleston #charlestonsc

Say hello to our SMPS Palmetto Chapter Greenville Leadership Women's Roundtable speaker, Kim Keefer, Director, Shucker Center for Leadership Development at Furman University! Keefer is a Gallup-trained and certified StrengthsFinder Coach.?She developed and currently serves as the Director of Furman's Shucker Center for Leadership Development within the Division of Student Life.?Group building, leadership development, and helping individuals and teams discover and best utilize their strengths and talents are Keefer's areas of expertise.?She currently facilitates StrengthsFinder workshops and team-building programs for adult and college-aged student groups and organizations.?In addition, she has supported the Greenville community through past participation in Leadership Greenville and has served on the Leadership Team for the Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Greenville Program.?Keefer also holds a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication and a Master's in Education from the University of South Carolina. We hope to see you in Greenville next week! Greenville Program Information: ??The Loft at Sobys ??Wednesday, March 26th, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Table Speakers: ??Tavia CM Gaddy, Vice President of Economic Development | Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) ??Kim Keefer, Director, Shucker Center for Leadership Development | Furman University ??Laura Beth Medley, Vice President, Chief Human Resources & Corporate Communications Officer | Canal Insurance Company ??Caroline Chandler, Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina Business Development Representative | Banker Exchange, LLC Register At: https://lnkd.in/ea87Y9Qw #smpspalmetto #networkingevent #SMPS #AEC #AECIndustry #construction #engineering #marketing #architecture #aecmarketing #Columbia #columbiasc #greenvillesc #greenville #charleston #charlestonsc

Looking for direction? SERC 2025 is the place to be! Travel to our website to read through a more detailed schedule so you can begin planning your itinerary for your trip to West Palm Beach, FL this May! #SMPSSERC2025

?? DEADLINE EXTENDED TO NEXT FRIDAY, 3/28! ?? SERC Spark Awards celebrate the achievements of marketing and business development professionals in the AEC industry. These awards honor individuals and firms whose outstanding materials, campaigns, and accomplishments set the benchmark for creativity, innovation, and strategic success. Send in your application today! For more information on eligibility and submittal requirements, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eT_CKr5D

Say hello to our SMPS Palmetto Chapter Greenville Leadership Women's Roundtable speaker, Laura Beth Medley, Vice President, Chief Human Resources, and Corporate Communications Officer at the Canal Insurance Company! Medley has been with Canal Insurance since 2007. She joined the company as a benefits specialist and continued to rise during her 18 years. She joined the Canal senior leadership team in 2015 when she was named the company’s Vice President of Human Resources. Her role expanded to include Corporate Communications. As part of her responsibilities managing Canal’s employee benefits package, she has championed an employee wellness program that includes a staffed on-site preventative care clinic, nutritionist counseling, and a state-of-the-art exercise facility. Called Full Sail, the facility is designed to help keep the company’s 230 employees healthy and productive. We hope to see you in Greenville next week! Greenville Program Information: ??The Loft at Sobys ??Wednesday, March 26th, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Table Speakers: ??Tavia CM Gaddy, Vice President of Economic Development | Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) ??Kim Keefer, Director, Shucker Center for Leadership Development | Furman University ??Laura Beth Medley, Vice President, Chief Human Resources & Corporate Communications Officer | Canal Insurance Company ??Caroline Chandler, Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina Business Development Representative | Banker Exchange, LLC Register At: https://lnkd.in/ea87Y9Qw #smpspalmetto #networkingevent #SMPS #AEC #AECIndustry #construction #engineering #marketing #architecture #aecmarketing #Columbia #columbiasc #greenvillesc #greenville #charleston #charlestonsc