Columbia Chamber Honors David Pankau at Annual Gala
David Pankau, Chairman of the Board of Directors, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, named Columbia Chamber's 2022 Ambassador of the Year.
The Columbia Chamber will honor David Pankau at the Chamber's 119th Annual Gala, Thursday, October 6, 2022.
The Ambassador of the Year Award, sponsored by Colonial Life, is presented to a member of the community who exemplifies outstanding business ethics and has influenced positive promotion and preservation of the greater Midlands.
"The Annual Gala is an opportunity for the Chamber to acknowledge and recognize change-makers in the community," said Carl Blackstone, Columbia Chamber President and CEO. "David Pankau is a leader in the business community whose tireless efforts have helped to grow and shape Columbia as we know it."
During his 30 years with BlueCross® BlueShield® of South Carolina, Pankau has served as President and CEO from 2010 until his retirement on July 1, 2022.
Pankau earned a bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University and a master's degree in public health from the University of South Carolina School of Public Health.
An advocate for the development and growth of the Columbia region, he has served on the board of directors of Midlands Business Leadership Group, the Palmetto Business Forum and the National Institute for Health Care Management. Pankau has served on the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Board of Directors since 2010.
In addition, Pankau has worked with regional organizations such as Junior Achievement, Transitions Homeless Center, St. Lawrence Place, Healthy Learners and United Way of the Midlands.
"It is an honor and a privilege to recognize David with this year's Ambassador of the Year award," said Tim Arnold, President of Colonial Life. "David is an outstanding leader and many organizations in the community have benefited from his passion for driving lasting change."
Past Ambassador of the Year winners include Mike Brenan, Truist; Pamela Lackey, AT&T; Dawn Staley, University of South Carolina; John W. Folsom, Colliers International; former S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley; Dr. Harris Pastides, University of South Carolina; Bill and Lou Kennedy, Nephron Pharmaceuticals; and Charles D. Beaman Jr., Palmetto Health.
Additional 2022 awards include the Young Professional of the Year, Public Servant of the Year, Military Advocate of the Year, and Diplomat of the Year.
About Columbia Chamber
The Columbia Chamber is a private, nonprofit, Partner-driven organization comprised of 1,200 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties. The Columbia Chamber serves as the voice of its Partners and the business community at large on matters of economic, educational, social, cultural and political concern, as well as supports and promotes the success of its Partners through networking, professional development, advocacy, and leadership. The organization has represented the interests of the local business community since 1902.