Board of Directors

Debra previously served as a Human Resources Business Partner for ADUSA Distribution, LLC, where she led a team of dynamic HR professionals that oversee the center’s employee life cycle. She played an intricate part in substantially increasing the wages for new and existing associates to attract and retain talent. She was also a vital part of “standing up the business” for ADUSA’s location in Mauldin, SC, by staffing the center and creating guidelines that align with company policy and organizational objectives.

Debra grew up in Greenville and spent her summers and after school at Phillis Wheatley. She took part in many of the community center’s enrichment programs. She experienced firsthand the joy and life-changing opportunities the community center provided. It drives her passion for leading the organization into the next century.

When Debra’s not working or volunteering, she enjoys making memories with her nieces and nephews and introducing them to new experiences through travel. She also enjoys e-bike riding and spending long weekends in New York City.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/debranrice

Previously, Ted has held a variety of position in engineering, sales, management, and business development. Ted’s experience also includes a variety of corporate quality assurance engineering positions involving QA standards, QA Training, and Six Sigma activities. In addition to this, he has provided project management duties for two international manufacturers, KEMET Electronics and Rockwell International.

Ted’s broad range of experience allows him to provide clients strong decisive leadership, effective articulation of vision and dynamic guidance and motivation in a hands-on, team-oriented atmosphere.

Sheria’s previous experience also includes clerking on the North Carolina Court of Appeals and serving as an adjunct professor at Wofford University where she lectures on the U.S. Congress and the Criminal Justice System. Sheria is active in her community serving as President of a non-profit leadership program for underprivileged girls, and a member of the board of a local community center. Sheria is a graduate of Liberty University and The University of North Carolina School of Law.

In 2020, and again in 2021, Steve was named as one of the 50 most influential people in the Upstate. He was appointed by Governor Nikki Haley to serve on the SC Healthcare Planning Committee and was reappointed by Governor McMaster in 2018. Steve was named the 2012 South Carolina HR Professional of the Year and awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, by the Greenville SHRM chapter. He is a frequent speaker, a published author, co-host of the Survive HR podcast, and mentor to many in the HR profession. He often coaches individuals and consults organizations on strategic matters. He is a Registered Corporate Coach, certified by the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches and holds SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications.

As a Lead Advisor at Insight Wealth, I provide practical financial planning advice, guidance, and investment management. I have the privilege to advise and empower individuals and families to overcome obstacles, navigate changes, consider all options and optimize their financial decisions for a better future.

My knowledge and experience give me a unique understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and choices facing clients. The greatest value I provide my clients is helping them navigate roadblocks and recognize how to capitalize on opportunities to reach their short and long-term goals.

Outside of the office I am professionally and personally dedicated to the advancement of financial planning. I consult with CFP® candidates in helping them prepare and pass the national CFP® exam. I volunteer my time with the CASH Campaign of Maryland, an organization that promotes economic advancement for low-to-moderate-income individuals and families. CASH Campaign accomplishes its mission through operating a portfolio of direct service programs, building organizational and field capacity, and leading policy and advocacy initiatives to strengthen family economic stability.

I also serve as a board member of the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, an organization whose mission is that every child will discover their unique talents and abilities in order to realize their full potential in a thriving community.

Dennis has more than 40 years’ experience in the global engineering and construction industry working on a variety of US and global projects in both the private and public sectors.

While at Fluor, Dennis held positions as President of the Heavy Industrial Group, Vice President/General Manager of the Fluor Greenville office, Vice President Global Construction, Vice President of Global Project Controls; Automotive Division Manager, and others. After leaving Fluor in 1999, Dennis continued his career as President of Global Performance (acquired by WOOD) and most recently, as Owner Director of Industrial Project Innovation (IPI).

In addition to the Phillis Wheatley Board, Dennis serves on the United Way of Greenville Board and is a member of the Construction User’s Round Table (CURT).

Outside of the office, Dennis enjoys doing anything outdoors and spending time with family.

Russ is a graduate of the Clemson University Construction Science & Management program and enjoys spending time away from the office with his children, friends and family. Hobbies include listening to live music, cooking/grilling, and following the Clemson Tigers and Atlanta Braves.

Courtney relocated to North Carolina shortly after graduating college. She is a vice president and Strategic Execution Leader within Wholesale Lending Operations at Wells Fargo Bank, NA. Based in Charlotte, Courtney is responsible for leading complex initiatives designed to mitigate current and emerging risks with broad impact tied to Enterprise strategic objectives. Courtney has worked in financial services for over 17 years joining Wells Fargo as a legacy Wachovia team member in 2005. She is an avid supporter of sharing financial literacy to high school and college age young adults, specifically in minority communities.

Courtney holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Clemson University. Throughout her career, she has made a conscious effort to enhance her personal and professional development by obtaining a master’s degree from Strayer University and recently earned a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certification from the University of South Florida.

George moved to Greenville June 2021, from Grand Rapids, MI where he served on several boards, committees and was recognized for his philanthropy and advocacy by Grand Rapids Young Professionals with the Community Advocate Award. George has a diverse professional background having held positions in higher-education (Associate Director of Admissions) and public media NPR/PBS (Marketing and Community Relations Coordinator).  

 Since relocating to Greenville, George has joined the board of Homes of Hope and advisory committee for the Upstate LGBT+ Chamber. He’s completed Opportunity Greenville through the Greenville Chamber and is a Spring ‘22 Riley Institute Fellow.  

 George holds a B.A. in Journalism and Musical Theatre from Oakland University, and a Master of Science in Communications from Grand Valley State University.  

 Alongside his spouse, Elicia, George is co-owner of Truth&Gold a lifestyle brand where parenthood meets social activism. The online store consists of a range of products to empower BIPOC identity, assist families with courageous conversations and encourage people along their journey toward creating a more just and equitable world.  

 When not chasing around and playing with his sons Rocco (7) and Rexton (4), George enjoys roller-skating, binge-watching NPR Tiny Desk webisodes, traveling, posing as a foodie and of course catching a great concert. 

He has earned the designations Accredited Asset Management Specialist, AAMS®, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, CRPC®, Accredited Investment Fiduciary, AIF® and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, CEPA®.

 Active in the community, James has been involved with the Greenville Rotary, Metropolitan Arts Council, United Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, United Way Young Philanthropists, and his church. A graduate of North Greenville University in Marketing, he received Clemson University’s Arthur M. Spiro Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship when he attended Clemson. He also received the South Carolina Collegiate Entrepreneur Award, was a national runner-up for the North American Collegiate Entrepreneur, and was an award finalist for the InnoVision Technology Awards.

The South Carolina native lives in Greenville with his wife, Christine, Department Chair, Health Science & Associate Dean, School of Health and Wellness at North Greenville University, and their two children, Laura and Davis. They are members of Christ Church Episcopal in Greenville, SC.

Her strong passion for community service began when she became involved with Meals on Wheels in Spartanburg and evolved even more while volunteering for United Way of the Piedmont, and now United Way of Greenville County. She currently serves on the counsel of the African American Leadership Group – United Way, and as Finance Chair of Phillis Wheatley Board.

She holds a Master’s degree in Public Accounting from Strayer University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business with an emphasis in Accounting from Lander University.

April enjoys traveling and camping with her husband, Barry Jones and spending time with her adult daughters, Amber and Alexis Duckett and pet dog, Angel.

Prior to that, Tim was Manager of Property Management Accounting for U.S. Shelter Corporation, as well as Corporate Controller for T. Walter Brashier & Associates, both of Greenville. He is a native of North Carolina, where he graduated from Whiteville High School and is a 1982 Graduate of Garner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC, from which he received a B.S. in Accounting.

Since the mid 90’s Tim has been heavily involved in the community and civic activities, locally, regionally, and nationally. After years of service to the Greenville Chamber of Commerce as a Director he served as the 2009 Chairman of the Board. In addition, Tim has served on the National Board of the Homebuilders Association, on its State Board as District Vice President, and locally in all major posts, including President in 1997. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Greenville Association of Realtors, The United Way, Greenville Area Development Corp., Junior Achievement, University of South Carolina Upstate Foundation, Clemson University’s Small Business Development Center’s Advisory Committee, and the Board of the Better Business Bureau culminating with Chairman in 1998. By gubernatorial appointment he served on the Board of the Greenville Memorial Auditorium (Bi-Lo Center). Similarly, by Presidential appointment, Mr. Justice served on the Board of the Selective Service System.

Tim currently sits on the Board of Directors for CommunityWorks as their Board Chair, Homes of Hope as their Board Chair, VisitGreenville as their Vice Chair, Phillis Wheatley Center, Advisory Board for Marketplace Staffing and has served as a mentor to young professionals through the Chamber’s Young Professional’s Pacesetter program since 2007.

His company, Rescom, was named “2011 Small Business of the Year” by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and was cited in 2007 as #6 in South Carolina’s “25 Fastest-Growing Companies.” “Greenville Magazine” has three times chosen Tim as one of the community’s “50 Most Influential Citizens.”

Tim is married to the former Kathy Lotz and has two sons.

After securing basketball scholarships to attend college, he received an A.A. in liberal arts from Spartanburg Methodist College and a B.A. in business administration from Southern Wesleyan University. Ray won additional scholarships from Greenville Technical College and earned two additional associate degrees in marketing and computer technology while there.

Ray worked as a business systems analyst for the Information Technology department of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in Greenville. In addition to managing several wide-reaching projects for MetLife, Ray taught computer science as an adjunct professor of Information Technology at Greenville Technical College.

During his time at Greenville Tech as a professor, Ray mentored many underprivileged college students to prepare them for the professional workforce. In 1993, Ray started “Marketplace Services,” a small business that prepared citizens of his community for successful entry into the corporate workforce.

In March of 1996, he became Founder, President and CEO of a new venture – Marketplace Professional Staffing – the business he still heads today. Marketplace services enterprises such as Procter & Gamble, Michelin Tires North America, Verizon Wireless, MCI, Hilton Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Embassy Suites and Perrigo, the Greenville City Zoo, the Southern Connector, the Greenville Hospital System, and the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce.

Addy graduated with honors from Clemson University with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and English.
Active in numerous nonprofit organizations, Addy was the 2014-2015 board chair of The Children’s Museum of the Upstate. She served as the board chair of Piedmont Health Foundation in 2015. In January of 2016, the Greenville County Legislative Delegation appointed her to serve on the board of the Greenville Transit Authority — the governing body that oversees the county’s public transit system, Greenlink. She currently serves as vice chair and has served as its chair and as its treasurer. In 2019, Addy was recognized by the Transportation Association of South Carolina as Urban Board Member of the Year.
In the past, she served the community with Pendleton Place for Children and Families, the Circle of The Children’s Museum, and the Junior League of Greenville.

He earned a degree in Political Science in 2001 and a master’s degree in Business Administration in 2005.

Brad is active in many professional and community organizations including the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the Southern Association of College Admission Counseling (SACAC), advisory board member of Echo Delta and is in his third serving as President of the Travelers Rest Youth Association (TRYA).

His wife, Brianne, serves Furman as Associate Director of Grants and is a long-term member of the Travelers Rest YMCA board.   Together they have two sons, JT (13) and Evan (8) who attend Northwest Middle School and Gateway Elementary in Travelers Rest.

Mr. Seaver is passionate about making a difference in the Greenville community. He has been involved with a number of non-profits throughout the years, giving of his time and resources to impact the lives of those around him. Mr. Seaver is past Chairman of the Board for the United Way of Greenville County and past Chair of the Palmetto Society. Past organizations that he has worked with include the Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council — Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Board of Directors — Thornblade Club, Board of Directors — South Carolina Bankers Association, Leadership Greenville, Greenville Chamber of Commerce, South Carolina Network of Business and Education Partnership, Junior Achievement, Greenville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Junior League, and First Presbyterian Church.