Committees

The Advocacy Council facilitates a unified effort in advocacy of pro-Grand Strand, pro-business public policy. The council monitors public policy trends and issues for potential impact on the private sector and/or Grand Strand. It also reviews local/state/federal legislation and initiatives and strategically collaborates to enhance success in the public policy arena.

• Council Chair – Mayur Jeram, New Horizon Hospitality

• Vice Chair – Mark Lazarus, Lazarus Entertainment

• Sarah Bonnoitt, Horry Telephone Cooperative

• Steve Chapman, Island Vista

• Madison Cooper, Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors

• Tony Cox, SCDOT

• Randy Davies, MBREDC

• Charles Fisher, South Atlantic Bank

• Lori Heafner, Horry Georgetown Technical College

• Cheryl Kilday, Destination NMB

• Matt Klugman, Vacation Myrtle Beach

• Maryanne Martini, GSBA

• Samantha Norris, Loris Chamber

• Bhumi Patel, Burr & Forman

• Bruce Robinson, G3 Engineering

• Gerry Shae, Office of Rep. Russell Fry

• Beth Stedman, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce

• Ryan Swaim, Dunes Realty

• Victoria Tobin, Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association

• Jennifer Walters, Little River Chamber

• Cobi Williams, Conway Chamber of Commerce

For more information, email Jimmy Gray.

The Business Development Committee oversees the programs and services designed to benefit the chamber’s investors and serves as the voice of small business.

• Committee Chair – Radha Herring, Watermark Real Estate

• Lauren Balogh, Junior League of the Grand Strand

• Scott Batts, East Coast Signs & Graphics

• Andrew Finch, Corning Credit Union

• Kim Fowler, Kimberly Fowler – eXp Realty

• Devin Gomez, Big Air Myrtle Beach

• Michelle Griffin, Winslow Law

• Adam Gullidge, Alabama Theatre

• Jenny Halstead, eMYRge

• Samantha Huff, Multiplying Good

• Mike Jones, Grand Anchor Insurance

• Michael McGraw, LegalShield Business Solutions

• Kimberly Meadows, Birchin Lane Coffee Co.

• Brandyn Miller, CLEAR Message

• Gabby Smychynsky, Coastal Outdoor Advertising

• Kate Soltoian, New York Life

• Jason Toy, Edward Jones-Jason Toy

• Stephanie Warren, Grand Strand Miracle Leagues

• Kristy Yelle, Palmetto Protection Films

• Amanda Bailey, MBACC

• Cindy Gettig, MBACC

• BJ Beaver, Partnership Grand Strand

• Peggy Masterson, Partnership Grand Strand

For more information, email Cindy Gettig.

The Community Engagement Council works to improve the community via time, talents and investment in distinct projects.

• Council Chair – Kelli Lane, Croissants Bistro & Bakery, Hook & Barrel
• For more information, email Yaritza.Tinoco@VisitMyrtleBeach.com

The Finance Review Committee reviews regular financial statements of the chamber and oversees the audit and budget process.

• Committee Chair – Scott Dietrich, Edward Jones
• Vice Chair – Kelly Tyler, First Citizens Bank

• Lee Belcher, First Citizens Bank

• Zach Hayes, Elliott Realty (MyrtleBeachVacationRentals.com)

• Howard Henry, United Community Bank

• Ken McKelvey, Defender Resorts

• Demarre Moore, HTC, Inc.

• David Olive, Carolina Opry

• Priya Patel, Southern Crown Partners

• Susan Young, Habitat for Humanity of Horry County

For more information, email Randy McKeel

The Ignite Women’s Council’s mission is to empower and support women in our community by providing opportunities to connect and exchange ideas, celebrate accomplishments and champion growth and success. This council helps plan the annual Ignite Women’s Conference.

• Council Chair – Hatton Gravely, YMCA of Coastal Carolina

• Lauren Balogh, Junior League of the Grand Strand

• Melissa Bilka, Brittain Resorts & Hotels and EOS Hospitality

• Mary Brooks, Invera Wealth Advisors

• Dani Cashion, Junior League of the Grand Strand

• Alexia Edge, Ripley’s Aquarium

• Leigh Ann Edwards, Dream Vacations

• Cecilia Evans, Bank of America

• Melissa Fowble, First Reliance

• Dr. Jessica Greene, Dr. Jessica Y. Greene, LPC

• Brooke Holden, The Derrick Law Firm

• Jessica Kirkman, Coastal Grand Mall

• Lauren Morris, Coast RTA

• Ashley Nelson, Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation

• Lisa Poston, Junior League of the Grand Strand

• Alison Roark, Revolution Mortgage

• Kim Rodgers-Clora, Jacqueline Rodgers Foundation Inc.

• Eileen Soisson, Coastal Carolina University

• Amy Stevens, Tidelands Health

• Anna Strickland, Santee Cooper

• Lindy Studds, Rape Crisis Center of Horry & Georgetown Counties

• Diane Toth, House of Blues

For more information, email Cindy Gettig.

The Marketing Council oversees policy making and resource allocation specifically by and for tourism promotional efforts of the chamber.

• Council Chair – Sean Bailey, LHWH

• Charlie Belissary, Downwind Sails

• Suzanne Hinde, Sheraton Myrtle Beach

• Mayur Jeram, New Horizon Hospitality

• Matt Klugman, Vacation Myrtle Beach

• Kelli Lane, Croissants/Hook & Barrel

• Mark Lazarus, Lazarus Entertainment

• Declan McGonigal, myBeach Vacation Rentals

• Patrick Norton, Brittain Resorts & Hotels

• Jay Smith, Prestwick Country Club

• Tom Tse, Seaside Resort

• Jordan Watkins, Gilmore Entertainment

For more information, email Jen Brunson.

The Lodging Director of Sales Committee learns more about the Convention and Visitors Bureau’s efforts to promote the destination through group sales efforts and communicates the needs of the properties and to ensure that the properties are maximizing their investment with the chamber and CVB.

• Chair – David Nelson, Marina Inn at the Grande Dunes

• Elaina Amend, Brittain Resorts

• Mrugesh Patel, Country Inn & Suites

• Woody Brownson, Crown Reef Resort

• Anna Conley, MB Convention Center

• Chris Crowl, Sands Resort

• Sabena Dayton, Hilton/Embassy Suites

• Shelley Niemann, Sun and Sand Resort

• Steve Williams, Doubletree by Hilton

• Breanne Foresee, Grand Shores

• Todd Gillespie, Marina Inn at the Grande Dunes

• Cindy Hull, Myrtle Beach Marriott

• Kim Lewis, MB Seaside Resorts

• Traci Lunsford, Fairfield Inn Broadway

• Brian Miller, Brittain Resorts

• TBD, Residence Inn Myrtle Beach

• Sue Price, Staybridge Suites

• Robin Pringle, Oceana Resorts

• Erik Reis, Staybridge Suites

• Alberto Semidei, Sheraton

• Pamela Shelley, Marina Inn at the Grande Dunes

• Marianne Smith, Beach Cove Resort

• Chip Smith, Condo World

• Ian McDonald, Landmark Resort

• Sheila Suhrer, Island Vista Resort

• Cheryl Vincent, Hampton Inn Broadway

For more information, email Mary Carman Isenberg

The Nonprofit Council aims to promote the sustainability and growth of the chamber’s nonprofit organizations and strengthen their role in the Grand Strand community. This council provides networking opportunities, educational presentations, collaboration, and advocacy.

• Tammy Braithwaite, Gifts From The Heart

• Teresa Burns, Horry County Literacy Council

• Louise Carson, Children’s Recovery Center

• Martina Corley, Friends of the Chapin Memorial Library

• Marlene Davis, Seacoast Artists Gallery

• Shannon Detzler, Horry Georgetown Technical College Foundation

• Pamela Dunn, Saltwater Chamber Orchestra

• Cecilia Evans, Bank of America

• Shannon Farro, The Long Bay Symphony

• Tracy Gardner, Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach, Inc.

• Rusty Gaskins, Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments

• Pat Goodwin, Franklin G. Burroughs – Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum

• Tonya Gore, Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance

• Jenny Halstead, eMYRge

• Michael Hesbach, American Red Cross Eastern SC

• Keith Holland II, Joint Task Force K9s

• Kathy Jenkins, New Directions of Horry County

• Betty Kuvinka, Habitat for Humanity of Horry County, Inc.

• Becky Large, Champion Autism Network

• Troy Marron, City of Myrtle Beach

• Peggy Masterson, Partnership Grand Strand

• Emily Mominee, United Bank

• Sue McKinney, Barnabas Horse Foundation

• William H. Miller, William H. Miller Studios & Fine Art

• Kathi Grace, SOS Care

• Kelly M. Moore, Chanticleer Athletic Foundation

• Shalane Tindal, The Blood Connection

• Peggy Pitoscia, Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre

• Kim Rodgers-Clora, Jacqueline Rodgers Foundation Inc.

• Brian Schmitt, City of Myrtle Beach

• Stephanie Sebring, Wilson Ground Zero

• Yaritza Tinoco, Keep Myrtle Beach Beautiful

• Stephanie Warren, Grand Strand Miracle Leagues

• Alex Wetherell, United Community Bank

• Katie Wise, United Way of Horry County

• Todd Wood, IMPACT Ministries of Myrtle Beach

For more information, email Shannon Furtick

The Young Professionals Steering Committee works to provide constructive social networking, professional development, and community engagement to young professionals in and around the Grand Strand.

• Chair, Declan McGonigal, myBeach Vacations

• BJ Beaver, Partnership Grand Strand

• Victoria Clark, CRM Services

• Scott Eggleston, A&I Fire and Water Resoration

• Olivia Elswick, Holiday Inn Club Vacations

• Darius Gordyk, Maverick Metal Roof Supply

• Lydia Hancock, InfoQuestHR

• Samantha Huff, Members Club at Grande Dunes

• Rebecca Logan Brown, Dave & Busters

• Madison Paternostro, McLeod Health

• Kate Soltoian, New York Life

• Stephanie Warren, Grand Strand Miracle Leagues

• Gabby White, Coastal Outdoor Advertising

For more information, email Isabella Cenatiempo.