News

Historic Columbia Foundation Announces 2005 - 2006 Board of Trustees

(Columbia, SC) - Historic Columbia Foundation Board of Trustees elected Steve Morrison of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP as President in May following the organization's annual meeting. The Board of Trustees is the governing and policy body for the organization.

"Historic Columbia has enjoyed enormous growth under the leadership of Belinda Gergel and will certainly build on that with Steve Morrison as the new president," said Executive Director Robin Waites. "Steve's experience working with non-profit boards will boost the organization's ability to work with other cultural groups in Columbia and Richland County."

Other 2005-2006 Board of Trustees members include:

• 1st Vice President Cal Watson of Sowell Grey Stepp & Lafitte LLP.
  Watson was formally the 2nd Vice President of Historic Columbia Foundation from 2004-2005.
• 2nd Vice President Gloria James, president of F.B. Schumpert Lumber Company, Inc.
  James is a former Board of Trustees member and also serves on the Jubilee Festival of Heritage Committee.
• Secretary Susan Brill, former member of Richland County Council.
  Brill is a Columbia native who has been an active community leader and public school advocate. As a county council member she demonstrated strong support for Historic Columbia Foundation and other cultural organizations. She also serves on Historic Columbia Foundation's Board of Trustees and Advocates.
• Treasurer Bill LaMotte, Senior Vice President for Banking, Wachovia Bank.
  LaMotte will continue as the organization's treasurer, serving in 2004-2005 as well.
• Rick Wade, Director of Business Development at Palmetto GBA, Inc., a subsidiary of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of South Carolina.
  Wade is a newly appointed board member who has an extensive background in business, government and community services. A former cabinet member of Governor Jim Hodges, Wade currently serves as Board Chair for the SC Center for Fathers and Families and is a member of the Columbia Urban League Board, Chamber of Commerce, USC Alumni Board and the Sisters of Charity Board.
• Chris Brownlee, Edens & Avant Real Estate Services.
  A native of Walterboro and a Wofford College graduate, Brownlee's background in commercial real estate and his active involvement as the Palladium Society's Chair have been critical to Historic Columbia Foundation's development over the past three years. In addition to his appointment to the Board of Trustees, Brownlee also serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and Advocates.
• Krista Hampton, Development Center Administrator for the City of Columbia.
  Hampton will continue a second term on the Board of Trustees.
• Mel Hart, Marketing Manager SC Black Media.
  Hart will continue a second term on the Board of Trustees.

Former Board of Trustees member Belinda Gergel retired from her two-year leadership role as president but will remain on the board as an ex-officio. Other retiring board members include former 1st Vice-President Charles Ashe and former Secretary Judy Suggs.

Historic Columbia Foundation was founded in 1961 by a group of preservationists determined to save the Ainsley Hall House, known today as the Robert Mills House. More than four decades later Historic Columbia now manages four historic house museums and their associated artifacts. Through programs of advocacy, education and preservation, Historic Columbia protects, supports and nurtures the historical and cultural heritage of Columbia, South Carolina. For more information, please visit www.historiccolumbia.org.




CONTACT
Adam M. Roy
Public Relations Coordinator
803.252.1770 ext. 27
aroy@historiccolumbia.org

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