Easley Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Membership Elects 5 New Directors For 2010

Five chamber members were elected to the Easley Board of Directors for a three year term beginning January 2010. They will replace current board members – David Whittemore, Ginnye Lusk, Danny Youngblood, Jeff Willis, and Stan Brooks who will be completing their three year terms in January.

The new directors are:

Gordon A. Brush – Powdersville Water District
Gordon is the Director of Finance and Administration at Powdersville Water District. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Bob Jones University in 1982 and his CPA designation in 1986. He is currently vice-chair of the Powdersville Council of the Easley Chamber and is a member of the Ambassadors.

Michael Dent - Allstate Insurance/the Michael Dent Agency
Michael has lived in Easley since 1998 with his wife Lori and their children, two boys, Ethan and Andrew and a daughter, Marissa. He started his insurance and financial services career 13 years ago and now owns two agencies in South Carolina. Michael attended Winthrop College and then served six years active duty in the United States Marine Corps. Michael has been an active member of the Chamber. In 2006 he was elected to the Easley Board of Directors and is a past chairman of the board.

Tracy Martin – CommunitySouth Bank & Trust
Tracy serves as Vice President and Community Banker for Easley-based CommunitySouth Bank & Trust. In her position she is responsible for developing, managing and expanding consumer and business banking relationships. Martin has been with CommunitySouth since the Bank opened in 2005, and has more than 21 years of banking experience. Martin is an Easley Chamber ambassador and has been an Ambassador of the Month.

Todd Merriss - Dixie Lumber Company
Todd is the General Manager of Dixie Lumber Company in Easley and attends Marathon Church in Powdersville. Currently, he’s Chairman for the Southern Builders Material Association (SBMA); a trade association serving lumber dealers and associates in NC, SC, TN and Virginia. Todd has served on the SBMA board since 2006, is past President of the Kiwanis Club of Hatteras Island. He’s a graduate of North Carolina State University with a BBA.

Dr. Brian Swords – Tri-County Technical College
Brian Swords is the Director of Operations and Business Analyst for Tri-County Technical College’s Corporate & Community Education Division. Brian received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Southern Wesleyan; his Masters’ and Doctorate degrees are from Clemson. He has served on the Pickens County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and Liberty Recreation Board for over ten years. He is currently Co-Chair of Leadership Pickens County.