20 Under 40, 2016

2D
...........................................................................................................THE STATE
SUNDAY MARCH 20 2016
INDEX
Charlie Banks .........................................18
Joshua A. Bennett ..................................13
Mauricus Moe Brown ..........................13
Lauren Chess..........................................14
Jarrett Coco............................................15
Andy Folsom............................................7
Nathaniel Walter Graham III...................9
John C. Griggs III ...................................16
Katherine Swartz Hilton ........................18
TRACY GLANTZ tglantz@thestate.com
20 young professionals
helping to build Midlands
ne helped start an annual flyover along the

coast to honor the
states military men
and women.
Another uses music to help
mentor and inspire young people.
One volunteers her time to
prosecute domestic violence
cases, and another led his company in delivering 2,000 pizzas
after last Octobers floods.
The 2016 members of The
States 20 under 40 class serve

their communities in a variety
of ways. Some have devoted
their careers to helping people
of all ages forge a better life.
Others volunteer countless
hours to make the Midlands an
even better place to live and
visit.
For the past 13 years, The
State has honored annually 20
people under the age of 40 who
are making a difference in our
community. The winners are
selected from nominations submitted by our readers.
This years class is featured

throughout this special section.
On these pages you will meet
people who are immensely proud
of the Midlands. Youll also learn
that each is committed to making the region even better.
The State is proud to honor
these young men and women.
Were grateful for the contributions theyve already made, and
were excited about the future
they will help build.
Paul Osmundson
Associate Editor
Kristen Jerome.......................................10
Erin E. Johnson ......................................17
Michelle Parsons Kelley .........................12
Spann Laffitte ..........................................3
Sarah C. Longshore ................................11
Jeremy Martin .........................................6
Bianca BiancaChardei Richardson .....15
Marvin E. Robinson Jr. ............................7
Neal Douglas Truslow............................12
Joseph Walker III ....................................11
Nikole (Nikki) Williams............................4
Bios compiled by: Paul Osmundson

Photos by: Matt Walsh & Tim Dominick
THE STATE .....................................................................................................
3D
SPANN LAFFITTE
Favorite quote or saying:
He has achieved success who has lived

well, laughed often and loved much; Who has
the respect of intelligent men and the love of
little children; Who has filled his niche and
accomplished his task; Who has left the world
better than he found it; Who has never lacked
appreciation of earths beauty or failed to
express it; Who has always looked for the best
in others and given the best he had; Whose
life was an inspiration; Whose memory a
benediction. paraphrased from ElisabethAnne Anderson Stanley
Community or professional highlights:
Friends of Epworth Board; Vernon Grants

committee member, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral; Salute from the Shore board member;
Dental Access Days and Land of Smiles
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AGE: 39
OCCUPATION: Vice president of sales and
account management, Delta Dental of
South Carolina
.....................................................................................
My life changed when:
I lost my father in December. In time the

grief will become more manageable, but I
hope that I will be able hold on to the perspective that is so clear today. With the finite time
we have to allocate to what matters to us in
life, its critical to ensure what we decide

matters, actually does. My faith, my family,
my friends and my community are at the top
of the list for me.
What do you want people to believe

about you?
I would hope that people feel that I am a

fun, genuine, hard-working, trustworthy individual that is committed to his family, his
friends and his community.
What do you like most about living

in the Midlands?
Weve been incredibly fortunate to be

surrounded by friends and family that have
welcomed us and helped make Columbia our
home. There is so much that the Midlands
offer that we enjoy. Some of our favorites have
been family time spent along the Riverwalk,
the trails of Congaree National Park, Gamecock sporting events, casual Saturdays at Soda
City, Sundays at Trinity Cathedral, and enjoying the ever-growing restaurant scene.
The communitys response to the October
floods epitomized what makes the Midlands a
wonderful place to live and raise a family.

While we have all the benefits of an urban
setting, we still benefit from the community
feel of a smaller town. That was clearly on
display as people took vacation days from
work to haul flood-damaged carpet and furniture out of the homes of people they had
never met. We opened our hearts and homes
to those that were impacted and it was representative of this community.
You have been recognized for giving

back to the community. Why do you
believe that involvement is important?
My maternal grandfather, Dr. Harrison

Peeples, had the following quote in his desk
and it has always stuck with me: The true
meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose
shade you do not expect to sit. By contributing today we are making the community
and state a better place for generations to
come. I believe we each have that responsibility to give back and to be involved. By
doing so not only do we improve the lives of
others but we can derive much personal fulfillment in the process.
CONGRATULATIONS
SPANN!
We congratulate H. Spann Laffitte, Jr. for being named
one of The States 2016 Top 20 Under 40.
We salute your professionalism, your leadership and
your passionate commitment to the welfare of your
community.
Thank you for being part of the
Delta Dental team!
H. Spann Laffitte, Jr.
Vice President of Sales
and Account Management
Delta Dental of South Carolina
Delta Dental of South Carolina

1320 Main Street, Suite 650 / Columbia, South Carolina 29201 / 803-454-8484
4D
...........................................................................................................THE STATE
NIKOLE (NIKKI) WILLIAMS

My mother used to tell me everyday to always remember Faith and Confidence: Have
faith in God and confidence in yourself.
Hartsville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.; early childhood coordinator for the S.C. Lowcountry Promise Zone;
International Noyce Leadership Fellow, 20142015; commissioner, Pop Warner Capital City
Ravens Football League; Bookman Road Elementary SIC; Lake Carolina Elementary SIC;
Blueprint for Leadership Graduate
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AGE: 36
OCCUPATION: Executive vice president
of EdVenture Children's Museum
...............................................................................
Everyday you walk out the door, your life

can change in an instant.When I was 15 years
old, sitting in my high school library, I overheard a disparaging conversation regarding
poor, run-down, rural schools (later to be
dubbed the corridor of shame). I quickly
realized this term was used to describe me, my
family, my schools, and my community. Knowing that we as students were already seen as
under-achievers, cant doers, I knew that my
purpose in life was to ensure that no child I

would come in contact with would ever feel
that they could not achieve. My life changed
again in 2013 when my mother passed away.
She was the backbone of our family and my
best friend. I would talk to her at least three
times a day. When I lost her, I did not know
where my strength would come from. That
year taught me resilience and determination.
She would tell me to never give up no matter
how difficult the journey.

about you?
I want others to believe that everything I do

comes from a place of love and compassion for
them as individuals. Each one of us has a story
and is fighting battles that few know about.
And more often than not, we do not take the
time to recognize this. I want people to know
that I care.

in the Midlands?
Columbia has the familiar small town feeling

wrapped in the bigger city. There are many
opportunities to be involved with, whether

youre looking for arts and culture or politics
and change. The people of the Midlands go out
of their way to make sure you are surrounded
by friends and are always there to lend a hand.
I grew up in a small town where everybody
knows your name. The feeling here is the same.
Whats the most rewarding part of

working at the S.C. Childrens Museum?
When I left the classroom 11 years ago, I set
my sights on finding a place that inspired children to learn and grow as individuals. EdVenture opens the door to imagination and
creativity. There are no limits to what you may
experience. Every so often I walk out on the
museum floor and watch children see Eddie
(the 40-foot tall, 35,000-pound, 10-year-old
boy that sits in the middle of the museum) for
the first time. The excitement on their faces
and the disbelief in their eyes makes me smile
every time. I have had the opportunity to do
amazing things at EdVenture and break
through the walls of the bricks and mortar and
offer programming that was necessary for the
betterment of the people throughout S.C.
THE STATE .....................................................................................................
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5D
6D
...........................................................................................................THE STATE
JEREMY MARTIN
Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You
will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to
live in. - Martin Luther King Jr.
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AGE: 35
OCCUPATION: Vice president of treatment
and intervention, LRADAC
.................................................................................
With more than 10 years working in the

nonprofit sector, Martin has dedicated his
career to helping others overcome addiction
and rebuild their lives. His dedication and
success in this field stem from his personal
experience of having a substance use disorder
and his strong desire to support individuals in
their journey of recovery. He previously
served as Emergency Services Program Manager at Transitions, working to help individuals who are homeless re-establish their lives.
In 2014, Martin left to accept a quality assurance position at LRADAC, one of the largest
substance use disorder treatment centers in
South Carolina. Within six months of accepting this position, he became the agencys vice
president of treatment and intervention ser-
The LRADAC FFamily

amily
Congratulates
Jeremy Martin
on this Great
Accomplishment!
vices. Since 2014, he has also served as an

adjunct instructor for the University of South
Carolinas College of Social Work. In 2015, he
was awarded Alumnus of The Year by the
University of South Carolinas College of
Social Work. He has served on United Way of
the Midlands Health Council since 2013, and
currently as a member of its Community
Impact Committee. He is vice president of the
board of directors for The Pressley House,
vice chair of Mental Illness Recovery Center
Inc.s Human Rights Committee, a member of
Faces of Voices of the Midlands Board of
Directors, and was most recently selected to
serve on the board of directors for the Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless.
experience has shaped my career, my commitment to helping others, and my personal life.
How rewarding is it to help others

overcome their addictions?
I began to work a program dedicated to

supporting my recovery from substance use.
The people that I met through this journey,
and the work that I put in to changing my life,
have helped me to realize the need for advocates who were dedicated to helping individuals with substance use disorders. This life

about you?
I want others to see my story as a demonstration that recovery from substance use
disorders is possible, and that despite ones
past, recovery is limitless.

in the Midlands?
I love the community and that there are so

many people actively involved in making it a
better place to live for all of our neighbors, not
just those that are more fortunate.
Helping individuals with substance use

disorders re-establish their lives is one of the
most rewarding experiences in my life. I am
able to take the darkest times of my past and
use those to help others rebuild their lives and
build a solid foundation for their future.
Congratulations to Board Member

Andy Folsom for this special recognition.
Well done!
Help fight poverty in South Carolina.
lradac.org
Join the movement.

fightpovertysc.com
THE STATE .....................................................................................................
7D
ANDY FOLSOM
Things turn out best for the people who

make the best of the way things turn out.
- John Wooden
Working at BlueCross for almost seven

years with so many talented and dedicated
people has definitely been my professional
highlight. I am also grateful to have been able
to serve my community and our state, as
well, through helping to found Salute from
the Shore. Additionally, my service on the
boards of the United Way of the Midlands
and the Sisters of Charity Foundation of
South Carolina has been especially rewarding. I have gained a new perspective on the
root causes of many problems in the Midlands
and our state, and I have experienced firsthand our communitys commitment to helping those in need.
.................................................................................
AGE: 35
OCCUPATION: Assistant vice
president/deputy general counsel at
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
.................................................................................
My life changed when my wife, Lucy, and I

moved back to Columbia from Atlanta to work
for BlueCross BlueShield. BlueCross has been
a wonderful place to work and grow personally and professionally, and I have seen countless times what true commitment looks like
from our company and our employees. Most
importantly, though, Columbia is where our

two sons were born, and where we have been
embraced by our family and friends. My family has been such a wonderful support system
here, and we are so fortunate to be able to
raise our family in the Midlands with such
fantastic people and opportunities. On a lighter note, my life definitely changed again in
December when we learned that my wife was
pregnant with twins, and it will change drastically when they are born this summer!

about you?
I want people to believe that I am a person

of integrity, faith and character. I hope they
see me as a good husband, father, son, brother, friend, co-worker and community member.
I want them to believe I am committed to my
job and to my community. I want them to
believe those things not because I say them,
but because I act accordingly.

in the Midlands?
The people. The people in Columbia are as

quality as you will find anywhere. They are
bright, driven, and fun to be around, yet people in the Midlands remain humble. A close
second best thing about the Midlands is how
easy everything is. Whether it is mundane

things like going to the grocery store or getting a bite to eat, or more exciting things like
Gamecock sporting events, going to the park
or the Soda City market, all the many events
and happenings are just so easy to experience
in the Midlands.
Why did you help start Salute from

the Shore and what does it do?
The founders of Salute from the Shore

really wanted to demonstrate South Carolinas
appreciation for the freedom that our military
allows us to enjoy. We are all able to live our
lives every day and celebrate our freedom on
the Fourth of July because of the men and
women of the military. We decided that a
flyover of the entire South Carolina coast
could be a profound focal point for the Salute and for people to say thank you to the
military for all the sacrifices they make to
keep us free and safe. The Salute serves as a
celebration of our freedom and also as a celebration of the men and women who provide
that freedom. In addition to the flyover and
the Salute, we share our message of appreciation with as many members of the military
as possible, especially those that have been
overseas and those that have paid the ultimate
sacrifice.
MARVIN E. ROBINSON JR.

Heights by great men reached and kept were

not obtained by sudden flight but, while their
companions slept, they were toiling upward in
the night. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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AGE: 39
OCCUPATION: Business banking
relationship manager, Wells Fargo Bank,
NA
...............................................................................
2012 Leadership Lexington County graduate;

2013 Leadership Columbia Graduate; past chair,
Young Bankers Board, S.C. Bankers Association;
chair, Tax and Accommodations Committee,
town of Lexington; Chair, Greater Lexington
Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center
board of directors; vice chair, Healing Families
Foundation; usher, Corpus Christi Catholic
Church
My first child was born. My wife and I discov-
ered that we had time for things that we

didnt think we had. It taught me to be
better at time management and to be more
efficient in tasks.

about you?
That I deliver upon expectations and I

am hard working, honest, ethical and
reliable. I am efficient and responsive in
what I do and have a strong passion for my
community and the South Carolina banking industry.

in the Midlands?
I enjoy its proximity to the mountains

and the beach. I like the quality of life it
provides and all of the opportunities there
are to get involved with organizations in the

Midlands community.
As chairman of the Greater Lexington

Chamber of Commerce, what do you
believe are Lexington's greatest
assets?
I believe Lexington has many assets. In no

particular order, those include Lake Murray,
our hospital system, our schools, our baseball
team and stadium, our downtown businesses
and restaurants, and our overall business
community.
Finally, I feel that our best assets are our
community leaders. Our leaders, along with
these other strengths, work together in order
to improve our quality of life, attract new
businesses and generate smart growth for the
Lexington community.
8D
...........................................................................................................THE STATE
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THE STATE .....................................................................................................
9D
NATHANIEL WALTER GRAHAM III

Music is nothing separate from me

It is me. Youd have to remove it surgically.
Ray Charles
Community or professional
highlights:
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AGE: 39
OCCUPATION: Director of choral activities at
Dreher High School and music associate at
Trenholm Road United Methodist Church
.....................................................................................
Professionally, I was the first recipient

of the Marjorie Stands Music Educator
award from the South Carolina Symphony League. In 2011, I received a National Board Certification in Music, which
allows me to teach in any state in the
country without obtaining additional
certification. Only about 3 percent of
teachers nationwide obtain this certification. Additionally, I am frequently
sought after to serve as a guest choral
clinician for the South Carolina Music
Educators Association Choral Clinics and
with various school districts around South
Carolina. In the community, I have directed a number of musicals at Workshop
Theatre including Suessical, Urinetown,
High School Musical and High School

Musical 2 and have musically directed
Dreamgirls at Trustus Theatre and Aint
Misbehavin at Workshop Theatre.
I am also very involved with my
church, Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, and have had the opportunity to spread music ministry at various
community events in the Midlands and
overseas.
I joined the chorus program in high

school as a senior. My chorus teacher,
Linda McMaster at South Florence High
School, inspired me to teach music
through singing and performing.
What do you want people to

believe about you?
I want people to believe that I always

put others first and that what you see is
what you get. I am very honest with
myself and with others, and there is great
freedom in that.

in the Midlands?
I love the people, the opportunities that

music and arts continue to bring to our
region, the culture, and the food.
You are involved in several choirs

for teens and children. Why do you
believe that work is important?
Children and teens need positive role

models in their lives, and I try to be one
for them. One way to inspire youth is
through music. Music is a common language shared by people of various walks of
life. Inspiring through music gives me the
opportunity to expose youth to a diversity
of ideas, people, culture, influences, and
styles. This is very important to me, particularly for many of the youth I teach because they may not otherwise have those
opportunities. In some ways, I feel that the
work I do makes their lives and experiences richer and well-rounded, good
qualities for them to build upon as they
mature.
PLEASE JOIN US IN CONGRATULATING
CLASS OF 2016
Since joining Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, P.A. in 2010,
Kristen has specialized in providing advisory and assurance
services to general and specialty contractors, distributors,
and tax-exempt organizations. Her clients have come to
know her as a trusted financial advisor through her roles in
merger and acquisition transactions and assurance services.
Outside of work, Kristen devotes her time and talent to the
Columbia YMCA. She is the youngest Downtown Board
President in the history of the Columbia YMCA association.
1517 Gervais Street

Columbia, SC 29201
803.771.8943
www.bpscpas.com
10D
...........................................................................................................THE STATE
KRISTEN JEROME
Take on the challenges that youre

not quite ready for; life is better lived
outside of your comfort zone.
highlights:
Youngest sitting chair of the

Downtown YMCA Board of Advisors;
Leadership Columbia class of 2014;
One Columbia for Arts and Historic
Preservation, treasurer

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AGE: 29
When I met my husband. He is truly

my better, taller, funnier half.
What do you want people to believe about you?
OCCUPATION: CPA
.................................................................................
That Im trustworthy.
What do you like most about

living in the Midlands?
It feels like Columbia just

emerged from those awkward
teenage years, and is finally coming
into her own. She still has the
small-town Southern charms, where
you run into people you know at
every turn, but with big-city amenities like a spectacular restaurant
scene, a funky arts community and
sports. Ive been a witness to so
much progress here over the past
decade, and it is exciting to be a
small part of that growth.
Why do you believe working

with the YMCA is important?
The YMCA addresses some of
the most pressing, basic needs of
our community. Our programs

take on child hunger and school
readiness, build support systems
around those with chronic diseases, and provide a place where
everyone belongs. If you head out
to Owens Field on a Saturday in
the fall, there are hundreds of
kids playing soccer, and its
impossible to tell who was able to
pay their registration fees. No
one is turned away based on an
inability to pay it is an even
playing field, so to say. The Y
fosters connections: friendships,
coaches, mentors and thats a
really powerful thing. We go way
beyond fitness in helping people
reach their full potential and
thrive.
Congratulations
JOE WALKER!
ON
BEHALF
MARCOS PIZZA &
OF CAROLINA MATTRESS
Congratulations Kristen Jerome!
One Columbia for Arts and History
public art, audience development, artist resources, comprehensive arts calendar
onecolumbiasc.com
@onecolumbia | facebook.com/onecolumbia
THE STATE .....................................................................................................
11D
SARAH C. LONGSHORE
which I am the most proud.
To be truly happy, I believe that you must

wrap yourself into a cause that will pay
dividends to others for a lifetime (author
unknown). This quote speaks to the very
nature of the work I do in the public school
system as an educator. Sometimes we may
never know what impact we have had on
another persons life, but it is gratifying to
know that I put my energy into a cause
much greater than myself.
highlights:
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AGE: 35
OCCUPATION: Saluda High School principal
.......................................................................................
As an assistant principal at Dutch

Fork High School, I was blessed with
strong mentors and many unique opportunities that contributed to my professional growth. I was named the 2013 Southern
Interscholastic Press Association Administrator of the Year, and I am a recipient of the
Superintendents Award for Outstanding
Leadership. I was also very proud to serve as
the 2015 South Carolina Secondary Assistant
Principal of the Year and to have been
named one of three finalists for the 2015
National Assistant Principal of the Year title.
And finally, I feel privileged to have been
selected as the principal of Saluda High
School in 2015; this role has been the most
rewarding of my career so far and one of
My life changed when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 33.
In the spring of 2014, I had a sudden
and dramatic decrease in vision, so
much so that I was hospitalized for a
short time and was out of work for
several weeks. During this time, the
doctors could not tell me how much of
my vision would return, or if my vision
would return at all. I was unable to do
many simple things in life like put on
eyeliner, read a recipe on a brownie
box, drive a car, or admire the freckles
on my daughters noses.
For the first time in my life, I was
dependent on someone else for almost
everything. But what I worried about
the most was not being able to return to
work as a school administrator, or how
effective I could be without the ability
to see if I did return. I prayed relentlessly, and when my vision finally returned to normal about six months
later, I vowed to never take another day
of work for granted again. I am a different person today than I was a few years
ago because I understand now that each
day is a gift.

about you?
Being a high school principal requires me to

make difficult decisions decisions that are
sometimes unpopular and cause dissension
among stakeholders. However, I would want
people to believe that I make every decision
with the best interest of students in mind. They
are always my first priority above myself and
above any adult.

in the Midlands?
As the mother of a 6-year-old and an 8-yearold, I am thankful for the many fun attractions
and events in the Midlands area, such as EdVenture, Riverbanks Zoo, HiWire Trampoline
Park, Saluda Shoals Park, the S.C. State Fair,
events at Colonial Life Arena, ballet performances at the Koger Center, the Columbia Marionette Theater, and the list goes on and on!
Whats the biggest lesson youve learned

since becoming a high school principal?
I always imagined that being a high school
principal would feel lonely; however, I have
learned that there are many exceptional people
on my team who are willing to help. Its not
about being the boss or having the final say; its
about creating the right conditions for others to
be successful.
JOSEPH WALKER III

Luke 12:48(b)Everyone to whom much

was given, of him much shall be required
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AGE: 34
OCCUPATION: Self employed, Multi-Brand
Business Development (Marcos Pizza,
Carolina Mattress and Furniture, Direct
Print and Marketing, and JP Contract
Solutions Inc.)
...................................................................................
I have been afforded the opportunity to

serve this community in many ways, and for
that, I am thankful. I have had many highlights, all of which center around being able
to give back to others. I am forever indebted
to this community for allowing me such a
pleasure.
I was in combat for the first time. I had a

moment of clairvoyance where I understood
unequivocally that I was not in control. It
was this understanding that led me to the
gift of salvation. I knew that I had to be
wholly dependent on the mercy and grace of

Jesus Christ if I was to have hope in this
world and, more importantly, for eternity. I
knew at that moment what total reliance
and dependence upon God truly was.

about you?
That I am a humbled and broken sinner,

living daily in the grace of a Lord and savior
that does not fail nor make mistakes. That is
all that matters.

in the Midlands?
Family. I have a uniquely close extended

family for this day and age. My family
means the world to me; I wouldnt trade the
opportunity to be a part of it for anything.
What motivated you to give away

2,000 pizzas to flood victims
in October?
To me, the answer here is obvious:

There was a need and I had the means to
satisfy it. This action was never truly a
question of should we. As soon as I
arrived on the ground and saw what we
were facing as a community, I shut down
one of our stores for all retail operations
and told them to start preparing and
cooking pizzas around the clock to be
delivered, as ready, to all affected areas.
The Marcos team never wavered, never
complained about forfeiting tips, never
questioned the intent. We are a team and
we serve together. I applaud those that
participated; it was humbling to be a
small part.
12D
...........................................................................................................THE STATE
NEAL DOUGLAS TRUSLOW

A river cuts through a rock not because of

its power, but its persistence.
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AGE: 32
OCCUPATION: Litigator, Truslow & Truslow
Law Firm, Columbia, South Carolina; judge
advocate, South Carolina Army National
Guard.
.....................................................................................
Selected as the founding member of the

S.C. Army National Guards first Trial Defense Services, selected to serve as lead
defense counsel in the first General CourtMartial believed to have been conducted
since the Civil War, as well as two highly
publicized Special Courts-Martial proceedings conducted in 2014; selected to
serve with the South Carolina State Partnership Program with Colombia. Since
2009, served as a positive male role-model
and mentor to Kassiem (a previous resident
of the Epworth Childrens Home in Columbia), who has since graduated from Dreher
High School and has joined Job Corps to
better himself; past vice-president and past
president of the Young Alumni Council of
the My Carolina Alumni Association; serves
on the board of the Columbia Kiwanis Club
I just knew my life changed when Lauren

agreed to marry me. Then I realized I was
wrong, and I just knew it changed when we
had our first daughter, Peyton. But I can
definitely say that my life was turned on
its head when we had our twin daughters,
Harper and Emma, in November 2015.

about you?
To me, loyalty is not a word, it is a

lifestyle. I am unwaveringly devoted to my
family, my friends, my clients, my profession, my university, and our nation.

in the Midlands?
I was born and raised right here in
Columbia, so the Midlands has always
been my home. That said, Ive travelled
the world and havent found a place that
offers me what this place has: its where
my favorite memories of growing up are,
where my family and friends are, and

where my Gamecocks play.
Why is your service in the National

Guard important to you?
I believe that what I am doing now matters both at home and abroad. Serving in
the SCARNG allows me to give back not
only to my nation, but also to my community and state. In particular, my involvement with the SCARNGs State Partnership
Program has taken me from Columbia,
S.C., to the Republic of Colombia, South
America, where I am working with a team
of legal professionals seeking to build a
transparent, effective military justice system that will stand as an example to the
region and promote trust, respect for the
rule of law on the South American continent (and, hopefully, the world). I hope and
pray that my service today means war will
be something that my children never have
to know other than through reading about it
in history books.
MICHELLE PARSONS KELLEY

My professional life changed when I met

Judge C. Tolbert Goolsby Jr. of the South
Carolina Court of Appeals. My last semester
of college, I took his Introduction to Legal
Method course. At the conclusion of the
course, Judge Goolsby hired me to be his
administrative assistant. Always generous
with his time, he taught me the basics of legal
I am serving as a board member on the
practice. It was observing his love of the law,
State Workforce Investment Board. It has
been a true honor to be a small part of a however, that changed my perspective on
what it means to be a lawyer. In watching him,
statewide effort to increase the numI learned that being a lawyer is not a job, but a
ber of employed South Carolinians.
The board, the Department of Employ- calling that requires dedication and constant
striving for improvement.
ment and Workforce, the Governors
Office, the Chamber of Commerce and
many other groups are coming together to
about you?
not only bring corporations to our state, but
I want people to believe they can count on
to train our citizens to fill these jobs.
me, and when they need me, I will rise to the
occasion.
My life changed the moment I noticed my
husband across the high school gymnasium and What do you like most about living
in the Midlands?
realized how cute he looked in his wrestling
Hands down, its the people. The people
sweats. He has since blessed me with fifteen
here are warm, kind, family-oriented, and
years of love and three precious children.
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.
Ephesians 3:20
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AGE: 33
OCCUPATION: Attorney
...............................................................................
ready to lend a helping hand. Every day, I see

my Midlands neighbors volunteering their
time to help others in big and small ways.
2015 brought that to light in a big way. When
the Charleston tragedy struck, the Midlands
rallied around their Lowcountry neighbors
with love. When the flooding decimated parts
of our city, people rolled up their sleeves and
got to work. It is a wonderful place to grow up
and I feel privileged to raise my family here.
What have you learned from your

pro bono work prosecuting criminal
domestic violence cases?
Anyone who sees criminal domestic violence up close learns quickly that criminal
domestic violence has many victims and far
reaching consequences. These situations often
involve children. Even if the children are not
being physically abused, witnessing the physical abuse of their parent creates lifelong
trauma that can derail their lives. There is
such a need for us, as a society, to draw a line
and tell offenders that we will no longer look
the other way.
THE STATE .....................................................................................................
13D
MAURICUS MOE BROWN

One must seize an opportunity in the lifetime the opportunity presents itself.
Being named the rural developer of the

year, 2013. Honorary speaker at USCs Charleston Memorial, June 2015. Being nominated
to the USC Board of Visitors, president of the
USC Association of Lettermen, chair of the
Monthly Meeting and being the vice-chair of
the LeadSC Young Professionals Summit.
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AGE: 28
OCCUPATION: Project manager, Global
Business Development, S.C. Department
of Commerce
...............................................................................
We lost the state track meet by a pointand-a-half my sophomore year in high school.
I had a blowup with my coach prior to the
regional meet that resulted in my suspension
for the rest of the year. I would have easily
picked up the 1 points that my team needed
to win state, but my short temper prevented
me from helping my team win. Thats when I
knew I had to have an attitude adjustment;
thats when my life changed.

about you?
I am a huge believer in the pay it forward concept. Anything I can do to plant a

seed into someone that results in the individual(s) bettering themselves, I try my best
to do so. I love to have a great time in everything that I do. I love to be challenged as well
as challenging others. Lastly, I try to implement empathy as much as possible. Empathy
reduces ones emotional responses to questionable actions and decisions of others.

in the Midlands?
I love the connectivity and the diversity in

the Midlands. You can have a conversation
with a former governor on one day and watch
a great basketball game the next. I like the
fact that I can get to other major cities in less
than two hours. I also feel like if you really
try, opportunities will present themselves for
one to be in decision-making positions early
in ones career.
As a business recruiter for the

state of South Carolina, what do you
believe are the Midlands' biggest
assets?
The universities, rivers, Fort Jackson,

connectivity to surrounding cities. I believe
that the Midlands is a sleeping giant that is
starting to wake up. The Midlands is literally the heart of the East Coast, located
approximately an 11 hours drive from
Miami and New York. The flagship university (USC) calls Columbia home, which
is a tremendous asset to the Midlands. The
collaboration between industry and the
public sector is extremely strong as well.
The emerging Main Street and Vista areas
are creating an emotional connection for
natives and visitors to the area. Three
major interstates surround the Midlands,
connecting the area to many of the major
East Coast cities with a days drive. We
have to continue to look for creative and
traditional ways to keep our talent in the
Midlands.
JOSHUA A. BENNETT
The difference between something good

and something great is attention to detail.
- Charles Swindoll
highlights:
The Family Shelter, board of directors;

Town Theatre, board of directors and vice
president; South Carolina Bar Foundation,
board of directors and ambassador; Leadership Columbia, class of 2013; First Baptist
Church of Columbia, deacon; 2013 edition
of Super Lawyers, South Carolina Rising
Star in Civil Litigation Defense; Midlands
Legal Elite, construction law, 2012-2015;
Defense Research Institute, vice-chair;
Young Lawyer Liaison to the DRI Construction Law Committee; A/V Preeminent Peer
Review Rated, Martindale Hubbell.
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AGE: 29
OCCUPATION: Attorney, Rogers
Townsend
...............................................................................
I have been fortunate enough to experience several life changing moments. As it

may be with many others, those moments
revolve around the things we hold precious
in life: faith and family. Most importantly,
my life changed when I became a Christian.
Next, my life changed when I met and

married Sarah. There has been no one else
I would rather share life with. More recently, things changed around our house with
the birth of our daughters, Emma in 2013
and Molly in 2015. We traded dinner and a
movie for diapers and a bottle. Hectic at
times? You bet. Worth it? Definitely.

about you?
I am going to treat you as I would want

you to treat me. As a litigation attorney,
my work is inherently adversarial. However, I make every effort to bring civility to
my practice. I refuse to go through life
being mean-spirited to opposing counsel or
parties. I believe a lawyer can be a zealous
advocate for his or her client without
making an enemy out of anyone who may
represent a different interest. Like you
may have in any profession, there are
some litigators that seem to go out of their
way to pick a fight. But for the most part,
lawyers in this state are sincere in their
efforts to keep civility in the legal profession and I hope that doesnt change any
time soon.

in the Midlands?
Fortunately, its difficult to pick just one; but I

think I can sum up my love for this area with one
word: Home. While I grew up in Spartanburg, Ive
lived in the Midlands since I left for my freshman
year at USC. My entire adult life and all of its
defining events are forever connected to the
Midlands. Its nice to travel and experience what
other areas of the state and country have to offer,
but when I touch down at the Columbia airport, I
know Im home.

involvement with Family Shelter
in Columbia?
One of the things Ive learned from my involvement with Family Shelter is that there is no shortage of generous people in this community. Family
Shelter relies heavily on the support of individuals
and companies to help keep the shelter running. In
other words, donations help to keep the lights on
and the residents fed. Over the years, Ive seen this
community be very generous in the giving of their
time and talents. The cumulative effect of this
generosity is that Family Shelter is able to continue
to help these families during what may be the
lowest point of their lives.
14D
...........................................................................................................THE STATE
LAUREN CHESS
Be true to yourself, help others, make each

day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine
art, drink deeply from good books, give thanks
for your blessings and pray for guidance every
day. John Wooden
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AGE: 29
OCCUPATION: National recruiting
program manager, Colonial Life
.......................................................................
Young Leaders Society inaugural member

and current chairperson; communications
chair for the Midlands first three-day, free
health care event for underinsured and
underserved residents, SCMission 2012;
mentor to young leaders through the College of Journalism, Moore School of Business
and Colonial Life; Leadership Columbia class
of 2014; inaugural board member for AMA
Columbia Chapter; Time for Art Planning
Committee, currently in third year of service
for the first event of its kind in the Midlands,
which aims to promote local artists and initiate
community volunteering among young professionals.
With United Way, developed the first Student United Way Chapter and part of the first
fundraising campaign to exceed $10 million for
United Way of the Midlands; at Providence

Hospital, worked on a team to develop an
award-winning advertising and marketing
campaign promoting heart health. At Colonial
Life, promoted community involvement and
other employee engagement/communications
initiatives for 1,100 employees at the Colonial
Life headquarters in Columbia.
I took a chance and moved from my home

state of Virginia to South Carolina, where I
didnt know a soul. It was the smartest risk Ive
ever taken.

about you?
I want people to know they can count on me

to follow through on what I say I will do. I truly
care about everything I do and take pride in
cultivating relationships by connecting people
to one another.

in the Midlands?
Watching the Gamecocks play.
You have been involved with several

community organizations. Why do you
believe that work is important?
After spending three years as an employee of

United Way of the Midlands, I witnessed firsthand the impact volunteers can have on an
organization and on our community. Interviewing and hearing the stories of people who had
been helped by United Ways volunteer-driven
programs and certified partner agencies made
me a true believer in a collaborative approach
to community improvement. I realized through
many, many examples that if everyone does a
little bit, together we can do a lot. Ive also
been very blessed in my life and feel it is our
duty to give back and support those who may
need a helping hand. When I look back at my
life, my memories of volunteering are some of
the most powerful and fulfilling. At the end of
the day, the effect weve all had on other people is so much more impactful than any one
individual achievement. Ive been heavily
involved in volunteering for about 10 years
now, and I can honestly say, Ive gotten much
more out of it than I have put into it. Helping
others inspires me and keeps me grounded.
Congratulations, Lauren!
Your energy, professionalism
and compassion are evident in
everything you do.
Were proud youre included in
The States 20 Under 40. And
were even prouder to have you
on our team.
Congratulations to our associate
Jarrett Coco
on his selection as a
Midlands young leader in
The States 20 Under 40
ColonialLife.com
DISABILITY n ACCIDENT n LIFE n DENTAL
CRITICAL ILLNESS n HOSPITAL INDEMNITY
Lauren Chess, National Recruiting Manager

2016 Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, Columbia, SC | Colonial Life insurance products are underwritten
by Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, for which Colonial Life is the marketing brand.
3-16 | NS-15047
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

Attorneys & Counselors at Law
Meridian | 17th Floor
1320 Main Street | Columbia, SC 29201
www.nelsonmullins.com | 803.799.2000
THE STATE .....................................................................................................
15D
BIANCA BIANCACHARDEI RICHARDSON

highlights:

about you?
Your future is somewhat connected

to your past.
.....................................................................................................
AGE: 28
OCCUPATION: Professional model, fashion-lifestyle
and beauty journalist, motivational speaker,
character education consultant
.....................................................................................................
Hosting Camp LoveYourself-for girls

ages 4-18; hosting The LoveYourself
Community Baby Shower; conducting
workshops across the country in
schools, colleges , universities, juvenile
justice systems; panelist for BETs
Whats at Stake; Black Pages top 40
under 40; Whos Who Among Young
African American Women; Best of D.C.;
Washington D.C.s WKYS 30 under 30;
Howard Universitys Fashion Law
Intellectual Award; Founder of LoveYourself; CEO of 27andCo
When I started to use my platform to

fulfill my purpose.
That I am nothing without God.

in the Midlands?
I embrace Southern hospitality.
Why do you believe it is important

for your organization to promote
building self-esteem in young
women?
Self-esteem is vital because it has an

impact on your life and choices. Your
self-value is the source of your mental,
spiritual and emotional health. Self-esteem
is the idea that you have about yourself. It is

how valuable and important you believe you
are. As women, when we are truly confident
we tend to make better decisions, we do not
compromise our values, we excel in all
facets of life, school, work and relationships. Women are forces of nature. We give
life, we nurture, we are helpmates to our
male partners, and much more. With LoveYourself, building the self-esteem of young
women, we are building their confidence in
hopes they will become effective women,
effective mothers, effective businesswomen
and overall successful in life. Violence and
various criminal activity are symptoms of a
lack of love. LoveYourself teaches females
the importance of self and loving others.
Love is more than just a warm feeling; it is
the ability to give and receive. We believe
when self love increases, magic happens.
JARRETT COCO
I keep an old NYC subway token on my key

chain. I put it there years ago, probably back
in college, because, at the time, I just thought
I would use it next time I was in the city. But
at some point I noticed that it says Good for
One Fare, which I thought could be a kind of
a reminder that we only get one token in life,
one trip. So we should make it count.
highlights:
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AGE: 39
OCCUPATION: Attorney, Nelson Mullins Riley
& Scarborough
.....................................................................................
I joined Nelson Mullins in 2012 after graduating cum laude from the University of South
Carolina School of Law. I attended law school
after 10 years as a business analyst for StoneRiver (formerly Fiserv) and Computer Sciences Corporation. During law school, I was
selected to serve as an intern to S.C. Supreme
Court Chief Justice Jean Toal and served as
managing editor of the S.C. Law Review. As
part of my personal pro bono commitment, I
have given some 600 hours of free legal work
to the community in the last two years. I
participate in the firms Wills for Heroes
program, which has provided thousands of
wills and estate planning to first responders
since its inception, as well as Street Law, an
organization that educates students about law,
democracy, and human rights. I have taken on
other pro bono cases, including abuse and
neglect cases, child custody cases, prisoner
abuse cases and direct appeals of convictions.

Through my work in pro bono cases, I have
reunited mothers with their children, assisted
an abused prisoner bring a civil action against
his abusers, and won a direct appeal before
the S.C. Court of Appeals.
I currently serve as secretary on the S.C.
Philharmonic Board of Directors and am in
my third year of service to the board. I also
serve on the boards Executive Committee, as
well as the Artistic Committee, which acts as a
discussion forum with the music director
regarding the concert programming. I earned
a bachelors degree in music, magna cum
laude, from Mercyhurst College. Music has
been an important part of my life, and serving
on the board of the S.C. Philharmonic has
allowed me to continue to keep music in my
life while helping to serve the community. I
believe that the arts, and especially live symphonic music, are tremendously important to
a community.
learned from my parents (who learned from

theirs) the value of hard work. I never remember them saying Jarrett, you need to work
hard. If they did, I dont remember. I just
remember them working hard. Thomas Jefferson said, I find that the harder I work, the
more luck I seem to have. I find the same.
Each of my pro bono cases has been extremely rewarding, both personally and professionally. On a professional level, I have
represented clients in several interesting and
exciting cases that have proved to be valuable
legal experiences. This work is also personally
rewarding because I have been able to provide
a valuable service to clients who may not have
otherwise been able to afford legal representation.
My children were born. My wife, Brandi,

and I are blessed with two daughters, ages 4
and 7. Watching your kids grow up and sharing it with your spouse seems to me to be the
best part of life.

about you?
That I am dedicated and hard working. I

in the Midlands?
This is an exciting time for Columbia. There

is a tremendous amount of development and
growth in the city. I have been living here for
most of my life now and this community has
been good to me. Im active in the community
not only out of a sense of gratitude to try to
give back to the community that has given me
such great opportunities, but also because it is
exciting and rewarding to be a small part of
the evolution of this community and city.

pro bono clients?
16D
...........................................................................................................THE STATE
JOHN C. GRIGGS III

Attitude is a little thing that makes a

big difference. Winston Churchill
highlights:
Chairman, South Carolina Bankers

School Board; vice chair, Palmetto
Health Childrens Hospital Board; board
member, South Carolina Bankers Association State Legislative Committee; board
member, My Carolina Richland/Lexington Chapter; finance committee member, Shandon United Methodist Church;
past chair, My Carolina Young Alumni
Council
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AGE: 37
OCCUPATION: Columbia market
president, NBSC
...............................................................................
The day I met my wife. I feel like I

could be the poster child for Marrying
Up. Shes not only an incredible mother
and wife but shes the hardest working
person I know. Shes been extremely
instrumental in my career and is also my

biggest cheerleader.
What do you want people

to believe about you?
I want people to know that, while I like

to laugh and have a good time, I take my
commitments very seriously. I feel that a
work-life balance is extremely important
and something Im always trying to
achieve.

in the Midlands?
There are too many things to list but

Ill name a few. For one, I really enjoy
being so close to the Gamecocks. As a
USC alumni, its meaningful to be close
to campus and to be able to make it to a
lot of games. I also enjoy the dining and
entertainment options the Midlands has
to offer. I think its great that we have
such a vibrant city center and that Five

Points, The Vista, and Main Street are all
booming. But most of all, its a fantastic
place to raise children. My wife and I feel
very fortunate to be in such proximity to
EdVenture, Riverbanks Zoo, Sesquicentennial State Park, Congaree National
Park, and Richland Countys excellent
libraries. We cant imagine living anywhere else!
How did you advance from a

professional development
associate at NBSC to the
company's market president in
just 12 years?
Youd have to ask my boss that question! NBSC has been such a great place
to work and thats a direct reflection on
the people that work here. I feel very
blessed to have such a wonderful team as
well as the supportive mentors along the
way.
Well-deserved is
an understatement.
John C. Griggs III
Commercial Banking Manager
Columbia, SC
John C. Griggs III is respected for his leadership and service, with our company and the many community
organizations he serves. We are proud to call John a valued team member and congratulate him for his
recognition as one of The States 20 under 40. While we are pleased with the news of this prestigious
and well-deserved honor, were certainly not surprised.
1.800.708.5687 | bankNBSC.com
Banking products are provided by Synovus Bank, Member FDIC.

Divisions of Synovus Bank operate under multiple trade names across the Southeast.
THE STATE .....................................................................................................
17D
ERIN E. JOHNSON
Stop complaining, start a revolution Ive

never been able to find who originally said
this, but its always reminded me that Ill
never see meaningful change if all I do is talk
about it.
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AGE: 39
OCCUPATION: Chief community investment
officer, S.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen
Pregnancy
.....................................................................................
Since 2010, I have been one of the lead

authors of two federal teen pregnancy prevention grant proposals. Professionally, these
proposals were the hardest things on which
Ive ever worked. When they were both funded, it was the ultimate reward for months of
stress and hard work. I also realized that my
team and I are responsible for making more
than an $11 million difference in this state.
While most of the citizens in the counties that
are benefiting from this money will never
know us, we impacted their lives and hopefully their communities.
I had a child. While I was blown away by

my capacity to love another human being, I
became profoundly aware of the very personal

effect becoming a mother had on my everyday
interactions. I am more empathetic to both
young people and parents now. The two
phrases that run through my head since I
became a parent are they are doing the best
they can with what they have and thats
somebodys baby. Both remind to limit my
judgment of others and, whenever possible,
help ease their journey through a sometimes
difficult life. Id want someone to do the same
for me and my child.

about you?
In the end, I want others to believe that I

really tried to make the world a better place
and know that I will always try to be on the
right side of history. When I knew better, I did
better.

in the Midlands?
I like that the Midlands is a place where you

can get to know people and feel like you are
part of a community. The greater Columbia

area is just the right size to not get lost in the
crowd. Its great to be able to make so many
personal connections throughout the community.
How has South Carolina benefited from

the work of the S.C. Campaign to
Prevent Teen Pregnancy?
The SC Campaign is so good at what we do

and Im lucky to have worked here since
2004. We have made a name for ourselves
nationally, have incredible staff and represent
our state well. The teen birth rate has declined
61 percent since 1991 that kind of success is
almost unheard of in public health! Most
people dont know that we have also given
millions of dollars to local communities over
the past few years. S.C. has benefited from our
commitment to what works, our belief that,
with the proper investment, S.C. communities
will do what is best for their young people,
and our understanding that it is only through
lasting partnerships that we can make a real
difference.
DAILY UPDATES
congratulations GoColumbia.com
TO OUR VOLUNTEERS & PARTNERS
LAUREN CHESS, COLONIAL LIFE
ANDY FOLSOM, BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF SOUTH CAROLINA
KATHERINE SWARTZ HILTON, COLUMBIA COLLEGE

JEREMY MARTIN, LRADAC
ERIN JOHNSON, SC CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT TEEN PREGNANCY
NIKKI WILLIAMS, EDVENTURE CHILDRENS MUSEUM
20 UNDER 40
THANK YOU FOR BEING GREAT LEADERS OF CHANGE IN THE MIDLANDS!
This space provided by:
18D
...........................................................................................................THE STATE
CHARLIE BANKS
Twenty years from now you will be more

disappointed by the things you didnt do than
by the things you did do. Mark Twain
Professional highlights:
Ive had success and failure in my career.

Oddly enough, my failures are ones I cherish
the most and consider them to be the highlights. These failures equipped me with the
knowledge and drive to accomplish the goals I
set during this next phase in my career.
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AGE: 33
OCCUPATION: Managing director,
South Carolina Angel Network
.....................................................................................
My life changed when my first child was

born. When I saw him for the first time, I
knew the rest of my life was going to be different. My motivation and determination in life
had changed. I quickly understood why my
parents had worked so hard to instill important values in me. I was now tasked to instill
those same values in someone else.

about you?
I want people to know and understand

that my faith is incredibly important to me,
not only as a beacon in business, but as a
father and as a husband.

in the Midlands?
My hobby is Adventure Motorcycling, so

living in a region that offers an abundance of
opportunities to experience the outdoors
from a motorcycle seat is fantastic. From
camping to riding trails, there is more than
enough adventure to be had in the Midlands.
You are involved in church, youth and

community activities. Why do you
believe that involvement is
important?
My relationships and involvement at my
church are incredibly important to me. I
work hard and play hard, so having a church

home like Chapin United Methodist Church
gives me the foundation and guidance to
always be a good father, husband, son,
brother and business partner.
In terms of community involvement, Ive
had the privilege of coaching my sons little
league teams. Not only do I love and cherish
this time with him, Ive been able to take an
active role in the athletic and leadership
development of his teammates. I also volunteer with my collegiate fraternity. When I
think about the moments in life that have had
significant positive effects on my career, I
can point to mentors of mine that took an
interest in me as a college student. These
mentors helped me develop skills to achieve
success in business as well as shape me into a
person I can be proud of. I hope to be that
person for many of the young, talented future
leaders that I have had the pleasure of being
around through this involvement.
KATHERINE SWARTZ HILTON

Be your (best) self. Everyone else is already

taken. This is my spin on Oscar Wildes famous quote. Its the advice I give most often
to young women at Columbia College and
its the advice Id give to myself at 13, 23 and
even 33.
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: Director, Center for
Leadership, and co-director, McNair
Center for Entrepreneurism at Columbia
College
.....................................................................................
Working in the nonprofit sector and in

higher education has its everyday perks we
get to drive home knowing we have made a
difference every day. Im so proud of our work
at Columbia College we are truly changing
womens ideas and aspirations about leadership, in a community and in a state that
needs so many more women leaders. Our new
line of programs for entrepreneurs, coupled
with the investment nod from The Janice and
Robert McNair Foundation, has been a gamechanger for Columbia College, for South
Carolina and certainly for me. It was truly an
honor to serve with like-minded change
agents in Leadership Columbia and Columbia
Opportunity Resource. Together, we built and
filled the talent bench for Columbia, changing
thousands of hearts and minds about the
qualities that make our community unique
and special. It really is fun to watch those

programs continue to thrive and serve young
professionals in innovative ways. Im continuing to learn so much more about our community through involvement with Richland Library and Women in Philanthropy.
I watched young women open up to each

other about their struggles, fears and challenges. Just one woman sharing opens a wide
door for everyone else. I call it the Jell-O
Moment: we realize we arent alone in our
journey and we come together to support each
other in a beautiful, mysterious and wiggly
waylike Jell-O.

about you?
I believe we all have a responsibility to give

back to this community that has given us so
much. My parents showed my sister and me
such a great example in this way. Our neighborhoods, our churches and places of worship,
our schools, our political arenas, our nonprofit
organizations they all need our time, our
talents and our treasure to move this community forward. There is really no better feeling
than to give.

in the Midlands?
Columbia has changed so much from my

childhood and has changed 100 percent again
since I moved back here in 2006 all for the
better. Our friendly, small town vibe that
welcomes all kinds of people with open arms
is what makes us unique. There are so many
grassroots-driven initiatives in Columbia
the response to the floods last year is one of
the best examples of how we come together as
a community. More often than not, people
smile and say hello on the sidewalk I love
that! The downtown and riverfronts are bustling with places to go and things to do. Lets
not forget we can flaunt our flip-flops at least
six months out of the year! Columbia has
been, and always will be, home.
You are involved in a lot of community

organizations. Why is that important?
I believe its important to find causes youre

passionate about and give them your all
stretching yourself as much as you can. Your
community, your family, your career and you
will be better for it.
THE STATE .....................................................................................................
HONORING THE STATES PREVIOUS 12 CLASSES

OF MIDLANDS 20 UNDER 40 PROFESSIONALS
2004
Ron Anderson
Ben D. Arnold
Stephen Benjamin
Tammy Byars
Robert Dozier Jr.
Lynwood Duke
Deepal S. Eliatamby
Sam Erwin
Robert R. Hill Jr.
Fred Johnson
Jeff Lewis
Dalhi N. Myers
Zoe Sanders Nettles
Pennie Peagler
Joseph Rich
J. Daniel Rivers
Keely Saye
John J. Singerling III
Robert Michael Mike Sisk
Tori Taggart-Anderson
Todd Avant
Peter M. Bristow
Lorri-Ann Carter
Pamela Ahearn Chalfant
J. Michelle Childs
Russ Cobb
Tameika Isaac Devine
Susan M. Douglas
Mark Edward Fryer
Edwin Gerace Jr.
Sandor Lebron Gordon
Stacey J. Jewett
Jeanne McIntosh-Lirola
Bruce Miller
Eva L. Nance
William G. Newsome III
Kate Jewett Paolino
Elizabeth V. Smith
Darrin T. Thomas
Jason Williamson
2006
Mary Pat Baldauf

Tara Bianco
Cynthia Blair
Amy Coquillard
Robert Fletcher
Marc Gardner
Lori Harmon
J. Christian Hendricks
Lewis Hughes
Jay Lasater
Tony Lawton
Paul Mashburn
Sean McNally
Karen Mock
Margaret Nevill
Elizabeth Nkuo
Daniel Rickenmann
Tracy Russell
Beth Bernstein Sanders
Jim O. Stuckey II
2007
DeAndrea Gist Benjamin

Jason Caskey
Chris Christiansen
Jamie Devine
Frank Ferez
Alejandro Garcia
Anthony Hayes
Eric Jenkins
Damon Carlos Jeter
Nathan Leaphart
Chris Leevy Johnson
Stephanie Rice Jones
Heather Mitchell
Pat Patterson
Jonathan Patton
Jennifer Wile Rubin
Ashley Sherry
Robin Waites
Daniel Wallick
Susan Wooldridge Yeatts
Jennifer Baker
Mia Butler
Bianca Crawford
Jay Davis
Teresa Wilson Florence
William Garland Jr.
Wesley Graybill
Bruce Harper
Tina Herbert
Stan Hickson
Lisa Ingram
Padgett Lewis
Heather Liafsha
Craig Nix
Michael Oana
Laura Robinson
Lance Roper
Murrell Smith
Cecil Thornton Jr.
Tripp Whitener
Cory Adams
Forrest Alton
Melissa Sprouse Browne
Ken Carey
Katie Cauthen
Dionne Fleshman
Charity Garris
Rozalynn Goodwin
Jeffrey Graham
Christopher Koon
Kevin Lindler
Clay Owens
Tally Parham
Barbara Koosa Ryan
Shannon Scruggs
Michael Seezen
William Smith
Ann Marie Stieritz
Boyd Summers
Thad Westbrook
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Richard C. Barr
Ernie Boughman III
Latrice Love Cooper
Michael E. Edens
Mandi Engram
Tanya A. Gee
Melissa Ann Smith Gentry
Mikee Johnson
Charles Kahn
Laura A. Kiser
Gretchen Lambert
Cory E. Manning
Brandi L. Parrish
Matthew T. Richardson
David A. Ross
Tony Tam
E. Craig Waites Jr.
Genevieve N. Waller
Deitra Mechelle Watson
Tigerron Asim Wells
2005
Emily Brady
Emily Brannen
Tushar Chikhliker
Daniel DAlberto
Kendall Davis
Gavin Dean
Brian Duncan
Robert Ellis III
Marty Fort
Ford Graham
Gregory Hilton
Candace Jackson
Stuart Lee
Eric McClam
Sherry Norris
Schrendria Robinson
Asheley Scott
Antjuan Seawright
Bakari Sellers
Rico Snell
Charles L. Appleby IV
Aaron R.E. Bishop
Dana Anne Bruce
Christopher Craft
Tina Cundari
Emma Thomas Dean
Michaela K. Gonzales
Danielle Holley-Walker
Matt Hudson
Ashley Hunter
Moryah Jackson
Vida A. Jennings
Steven Johnson
Karen L. Luchka
James A. Manning
Listervelt Bakari Middleton
Ben Rex
Julie Smithwick-Leone
Mary Lynch Wagnon
Travis Wheeler
Haley Bowers
Holt Chetwood
Wesely Donehue
Sidney Evering
Kevin Felder
Katie Fox
John Frick
Jenny Isgett
Amanda Loveday
Heidi Johnson
Sam Johnson
Terree Korpita
Jay Schwedler
J.P. Scurry
Monica Scott
Keith Shah
Nick Stomski
Allison Waymyers
Alan Wilson
Vida Yousefia
2008
Jenniter Stone Ashburn

Jody A. Bedenbaugh
Agata Chydzinski
Lucas C. Clamp
Amy Clayton
David Clayton
Joseph A. Cosci Jr.
Angela P. English
R. Andrew Folks
Aaron Gilchrist
Kiosha Gregg
Kaela Harmon
Rebecca Haynes
John Johnston
Luke E. McCary
Thomas McElveen
Jill Hammond Menhart
Tommy Preston Jr.
Bob Ruff
Ryan Whittaker
2009
Jill M. Armbruster
Elisabeth Bischofberger
Shannon Furr Bobertz
Murray Coleman
Melissa L. Constante
Ryal F. Curtis
Steven C. Eigenbrot
Lisa M. Hostetler
April Glenn James
Emily M. Johnson
Will Johnson
Craig Q. King
Chakisse Newton
Patrick T. Palmer
Heather R. Price
Jamie Scott
Blake G. Taylor
Lauren Truslow
Ben Wilson
Michael D. Wright
19D
20D
...........................................................................................................THE STATE
YOURE INVITED!
TO THE GRAND UNVEILING OF
COLUMBIAS NEWEST CONCEPT
IN MENS FASHION.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 46 PM
ENJOY ENTERTAINMENT
AND REFRESHMENTS
ENTER-TO-WIN A $1000 GIFT
CERTIFICATE GIVEAWAY*
1332 MAIN STREET

COLUMBIA
803.256.0794
GRANGEROWINGS.COM/BESPOKE
*VISIT GRANGEROWINGS.COM/BESPOKE FOR OFFICIAL RULES.

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2D

SUNDAY MARCH 20 2016

ne helped start an annual flyover along the

States 20 under 40 class serve

This years class is featured

Bios compiled by: Paul Osmundson

SUNDAY MARCH 20 2016

THE STATE .....................................................................................................

He has achieved success who has lived

Community or professional highlights:

Friends of Epworth Board; Vernon Grants

My life changed when:

I lost my father in December. In time the

life, its critical to ensure what we decide

What do you want people to believe

I would hope that people feel that I am a

What do you like most about living

Weve been incredibly fortunate to be

wonderful place to live and raise a family.

You have been recognized for giving

My maternal grandfather, Dr. Harrison

Delta Dental of South Carolina

SUNDAY MARCH 20 2016

NIKOLE (NIKKI) WILLIAMS

Community or professional highlights:

My life changed when:

Everyday you walk out the door, your life

purpose in life was to ensure that no child I

What do you want people to believe

I want others to believe that everything I do

What do you like most about living

Columbia has the familiar small town feeling

opportunities to be involved with, whether

Whats the most rewarding part of

SUNDAY MARCH 20 2016

THE STATE .....................................................................................................

1333 Main Street | Columbia

Granger Owings for women defines

1333 Main Street | Columbia | 803-252-6714 | grangerowings.com/women

SUNDAY MARCH 20 2016

Community or professional highlights:

With more than 10 years working in the

The LRADAC FFamily

vices. Since 2014, he has also served as an

My life changed when:

How rewarding is it to help others

I began to work a program dedicated to

What do you want people to believe

What do you like most about living

I love the community and that there are so

Helping individuals with substance use

Congratulations to Board Member

Join the movement.

SUNDAY MARCH 20 2016

THE STATE .....................................................................................................

Things turn out best for the people who

Community or professional highlights:

Working at BlueCross for almost seven

My life changed when:

My life changed when my wife, Lucy, and I

importantly, though, Columbia is where our

What do you want people to believe

I want people to believe that I am a person

What do you like most about living