Meet our Board Members

 

James Edwards: Chairman of the Board

Education

• William & Mary – B.A. Government
• University of South Carolina – Juris Doctorate
• George Washington University’s – Master’s in labor law

Professional Experience

• Partner in four law firms
• Family Law Mediator
• Founder of Upfront Mediation

Community Involvement

• Deacon at First Presbyterian Church
• Past Chairman of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Upstate board
• Co-founder of Sparkle City Transparent Men

 

Bill Caldwell: Board Member

Education

• University of South Carolina – B.S. Business Administration

Professional Experience

• Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Waldrop Inc.
• Executive Director with Fluor in project, division, and sales management in Industrial and Commercial Business unit
• Hall of Fame Inductee, Clemson University, College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities (2019)

Community Involvement

• Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce
• Piedmont Women’s Clinic supporter
• Guest lecturer for Clemson University Department of Construction and Science management

 

George Nixon: Board Member

Education

• University of Michigan Business School – MBA
• Davidson College – BA in Economics

Professional Experience

• Owner of Allegra Printers in Spartanburg, SC
• Regional Director of Allegra Network, South Atlantic Region
• Spartanburg Art Museum – Board President

Community Involvement

• Activities to help others maximize their potential
• Community volunteer and financial supporter

 

Rick Dent: Board Member

Education

• University of Virginia – Darden School of Business – MBA
• Sewanee – University of the South – BA Political Science

Professional

• President and CEO of Mayfair Mills – 28 years
• VP and Executive Director of Spartanburg Healthcare System Foundation
• Spartanburg Day School – Board Member Emeritus

Community Involvement

• Serving on non-profit boards
• Serving on community gift campaigns
• Sales and Customer Relations

 

J.W. Strickland: Secretary and Treasurer

Education

• University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
• Master of Business Administration
• Juris Doctor degrees
• B.A. Degree

Professional Experience

• South Carolina Bar Association
• Adjunct Professor at Wofford College
• Miliken & Company – Tax Attorney
• Arthur Anderson & Company, New York, NY

Community Involvement

• Teaches seminars on taxes and accounting
• Served on partnerships and real estate teams
• Sertoma Club
• Chairperson for National Heritage Program

 

Dr. Laura Reynolds: Board Member

Education

• University of South Carolina - Ph.D. in Educational Psychology
• Midwestern State University - M.A. in American History
• Michigan State University - B.A. in Multidisciplinary Social Science

Professional Experience

• USC Upstate - Dean of the School of Education, Human Performance, and Health since 2018
• University of Michigan-Dearborn - Associate Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services

Community Involvement

• Partners with nonprofit organizations in India and Vietnam that create urban and rural playgrounds targeting improved child outcomes and community health
• Peer-reviewer/Evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Board Member for American Red Cross of the Upstate