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
- Jenniferr Cain, Richland District 2
- Kate Bagby, Richland County Economic Development
- Kaye Shaw, SCDEW
- Tammy Beagan, Midlands Workforce Development Board
- Veronica Deas, Prisma Health
- Jeremy Catoe, Midlands Technical College
- Lauren Holland, Midlands Technical College
- Rebecca Taylor, Midlands Technical College
- Harrison Spear, Diesel Laptops
- Latoya Washington, MUSC
- Danielle Bethea-Brown, Lexington Medical Center
- Lisa Call, MEBA
- Kirsten Pratt, Apprenticeship Carolina
- Kimberly Redmond, Meetze Plumbing
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
- Karlin Ferguson, MUSC
- Danielle Bethea-Brown, Lexington Medical Center
- Jodi Salter, S3 Solutions
- Cheryl Garza, Dominion Energy
- Charles Kearse II, BCBSSC
- Rachael Ardis, Unum/ Colonial Life
- Jacob Koon, Benedict College
- Amy DuBois, Columbia International University
- Paul Medlin, Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, P.A.
- Coleman Carlisle, USC Career Center
- Tracy Powers, Newberry College
- Karla Harper, Allen University
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.
- David Looper, Furniture Services, Inc.
- Davis Adams, MUSC Health
- Susan Cohen, SCRLA
- Ted Creech, SCDOT
- Jean Cecil Frick, NP Strategy
- Mark Hoosier, FN America
- Mark James, Cypress Commercial & Investment Real Estate
- Payton Lang, City of Columbia
- Macon Lovelace, Trinity Partners
- Austin Monts, Mungo Homes
- Brooks Owings, Wilson Kibler
- Kevin Ross, Aflac
- Amanda Taylor, AT&T
- Katis Titus, Bon Secours Mercy Health
- Benton Williamson, Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Newly formed in 2024, Area Business Alliances are providing a new opportunity for collaboration throughout the Midlands. As the Chamber works to expand our initiatives, we’ve partnered with representatives and business leaders in Forest Acres and Northeast Columbia to foster an environment that will strengthen relationships, promote growth, and enhance the communities around us.
Each Business Alliance will work together to strategically evaluate the needs and interests of business owners in the respective areas.
Quarterly Gather & Grow events, hosted by each Area Business Alliance, bring businesses and community partners together to provide an opportunity for the Chamber and Business Alliance to learn how to best serve the growing area.
Forest Acres Alliance
- Mayor Thomas Andrews, City of Forest Acres
- Lynnsey Baker, City of Forest Acres
- Elizabeth Barrett, Richland Library
- Shaun Greenwood, City of Forest Acres
- Emilie Lewis, Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union
- Bailey Lewis, Words First Content
- Stephen Oliver, City of Forest Acres
- Chris Terlinden, Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union
- Teresa Wardlaw, Cool Care Heating, Air, Plumbing & Refrigeration
- Marice Wilson, Lexington Medical Center
Northeast Alliance
- Kayla Jordan, Comfort Keepers
- Tara Craps, East Bay Deli
- Kerin Gibson, Founders Federal Credit Union
- Arieal Humphries, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union
- Angela Koska, Sandhills Bookkeeping
- Heather Leigh, Greenhaven Memorial Gardens
- Crystal Mickle, Richland Library
- Dee Robinson, Richland Library
- Ann Thomason, ERA Wilder Realty
- Kevin Wimberly, SC Uplift Community Outreach
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.