LGS News

34 Local Professionals Graduate Leadership Grand Strand Class 45

Posted on by Marlane White
13
May

Leadership Grand Strand (LGS), a professional development program of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce 34 local professionals graduated from its 45th class on May 2, 2025.

“It’s a true honor to pass along diplomas to this year’s class of Leadership Grand Strand as each participant excelled at the ten-month program and now possess enhanced skills to be more effective leaders in our community,” said LGS Executive Director Shannon H. Furtick.

The curriculum provided each graduate with advanced leadership training from Hop2It Consulting’s Dr. Dan and Dr. Heather Hoppe along with behind-the-scenes tours of local institutions such as the Myrtle Beach Police Department, Horry County Solid Waste Authority, Horry County Emergency Management, Horry County Schools, Myrte Beach International Airport and more.

Each graduate completed 75 community project hours, including specific hours dedicated to youth and individuals with disabilities, community development and revitalization, a team project creating an outdoor space at Ability Beyond Barriers, and recognition of four local citizens nominated for the Ann DeBock Leadership Award.

The graduates of LGS Class 45 are:

  • Amanda Bailey, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Alexis Barnhill, Coastal Carolina University
  • Trevor Bigham, Connect Kids LLC
  • Haywood Brandon, ISI Elite Training
  • Howard Bromberg, Vines Restoration – Plumbing – HVAC
  • Holland Carley, Carolina Strand Underwriters
  • Shannon Carroca, Conway National Bank
  • Brandye Clark, HTC
  • Nick DeStefano, McLeod Health
  • Frances Drew, McLeod Health
  • Amy Duval, Pure Barre Murrells Inlet
  • Wendy Evans, BlueCross BlueShield
  • Melissa Fowble, First Reliance Bank
  • Jenni Lyn Gardner, Ocean View Baptist Church
  • Nick Garrett, SkyWheel Myrtle Beach
  • Devin Gomez, Big Air Trampoline Park
  • Joe Heyd, Heyd & Company LLC
  • Katie Hole, KingOne Properties International
  • Karen Johnson, City of Myrtle Beach Fire Department
  • Nick Kenworthy, Tidewater Mortgage Services Inc.
  • Kathryn Lane, K. Lane Strategies
  • Marty McCall, Coast RTA
  • Alex McKoy, Santee Cooper
  • Clare McLaurin, Smith Sapp CPAs
  • Lexy Millen, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation
  • Mackenzie Phillips, Tanger
  • Diane F. Sanders, Coastal Carolina University
  • James Schlueter, Grand Palms Resort
  • Julianne Scott, Monteith Construction
  • Jolene Selwa, Crescent Realty LLC
  • Lori Smith, Coastal Carolina National Bank
  • Teresa Taylor, Ocean Lakes Family Campground – The Jackson Companies
  • Danielle Walters, New Directions of Horry County
  • Matthew Yelle, Palmetto Protection Films LLC

Those interested in learning more about LGS can visit LeadershipGrandStrand.com. The deadline to submit an application to participate in the 46th LGS class is June 30, 2025.