The Columbia Chamber is pleased to announce the 2024-2025 Board of Directors with the addition of ten new members.
Montague Laffitte, SouthState Bank, has been elected to serve as chairman of the board for the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. He succeeds Karen Jenkins, KRJ Consulting. Terrance Ford, AT&T, will serve as chair-elect.
New members joining the Chamber’s Board this year include: Ashley Abbott, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee; David Brannen, Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated; Caitlin Bruner, Colonial Life; Jesse Bullard, Southern Way Catering; Jacob Cook, Sun Solutions; Kenneth Givens, Miller Valentine Construction; Emily James, Find Great People; Emilie Lewis, Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union; Dr. Gregory Little, Midlands Technical College; and Shayla Merritt, CyberWoven.
“It is a pleasure and an honor to serve Columbia as Chair of the Columbia Chamber Board of Directors. The Midlands region has seen significant momentum over the past few years. From the warm and welcoming hospitality to the area’s restaurants, arts and nightlife, Columbia is a city on the rise that joins together students, young professionals, and a thriving business sector,” said Montague Laffitte. “As the voice of the business community in the Capital City, we look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to continue to advance our community. We will work with our Partners and the business community at large in a variety of ways: networking and education opportunities, helping small businesses grow through our Midlands Minority Business Accelerator program, retaining talent in the Midlands, and amplifying our voice at the South Carolina State House. We will also continue to stand with those men and women who serve our military and protect the freedoms that we enjoy. I am excited to partner alongside our outstanding Board of Directors and the wonderful Chamber staff to continue to push Columbia forward.”
“The Chamber’s Board of Directors are a diverse group of business leaders who share a passion for our area,” stated Carl Blackstone, President and CEO of the Columbia Chamber. “Working collaboratively, this dynamic group helps to grow the region for generations to come.”
The 2024-2025 Columbia Chamber Board of Directors:
*indicates Executive Committee Member
- Ashley Abbott | Bitty & Beau’s Coffee
- Dr. Michael Amiridis | University of South Carolina
- Dr. Roslyn Artis* | Benedict College
- Robby Aull | SSOE
- David Brannen | Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated
- Caitlin Bruner* | Colonial Life
- Peyton Bryant* | Trinity Partners
- Caleb Buchanan | Prisma Health
- Jesse Bullard* | Southern Way Catering
- John Cadena* | Dominion Energy
- William Cason* | The Cason Group
- Holt Chetwood* | First Citizens Bank
- Susan Cohen | South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association
- Jacob Cook| Sun Solutions
- Stephen Cutler | University of South Carolina
- Kristin Davis | Wells Fargo
- Bill Duda | Ogletree Deakins
- Bill Ellen | Experience Columbia SC
- Mike Farmer* | TD Bank
- Terrance Ford*| AT&T
- Jean Cecil Frick* | NP Strategy
- Jason Giulietti | Central SC Alliance
- Kenneth Givens | Miller Valentine Construction
- Lindsey Spires Griffin | Bank of America
- John Griggs* | Synovus
- Michael Gula | Columbia Metropolitan Airport
- Ron Harvey* | Global Core Strategies & Consulting
- Emily James | Find Great People
- Karen Jenkins* | KRJ Consulting, LLC
- Matt Kennell | City Center Partnership, Inc.
- Montague Laffitte* | SouthState Bank
- Emilie Lewis | Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union
- Matthew Littlejohn | MUSC Health
- Dr. Gregory Little | Midlands Technical College
- David Looper* | Furniture Services, Inc.
- JT McLawhorn | Columbia Urban League, Inc.
- Shayla Merritt | Cyberwoven
- Heather Mitchell | Boudreaux Group, Inc.
- Lara Lott Moore | Lexington Medical Center
- Anita Murphy* | Grow Financial Federal Credit Union
- Kathleen Muthig | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
- Robert Rhodes* | BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Larry Salley | Greater Columbia Community Relations Council
- Jodi Salter | University of South Carolina Walker Institute of International and Area Studies, College of Arts and Science
- Mark Scriven | Elliott Davis
- Brad Shank | Columbia Fireflies
- Rick Shippey | Mark Anthony Brewing
- Sanders Tate | McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture
- Stacy Williams| AgFirst Farm Credit Bank
- Nicole Hendricks Woods | Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Columbia
- Chris Zimmer* | Truist
About the 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.
To become a partner or to learn more about the Columbia Chamber, as well as its events, programs, and initiatives, visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com.