27 Local Professionals to Participate in Leadership Grand Strand Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 27, 2021

Media Contact:

Marlane White
Communications Manager
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
843-916-7295
843-256-6373
Marlane.White@VisitMyrtleBeach.com

27 Local Professionals to Participate in Leadership Grand Strand Program

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Leadership Grand Strand (LGS) is pleased to announce it has accepted 27 business and community members from Horry and Georgetown counties to participate in its 42nd class.

LGS is a 10-month program sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce that provides a broad curriculum designed to enhance participant’s leadership skills and professional development as well as provide networking opportunities and access to resources throughout the Grand Strand.

In addition, each member is required to participate in 75 hours of community service, which is divided between Habitat for Humanity, Horry County Schools, New Directions, the Ann DeBock Leadership Award nomination project, personal hours and an initiative with the City of Myrtle Beach to support downtown redevelopment projects.

“Giving back is a significant part of the LGS program,” said LGS Executive Director Diana Greene. “Through service projects and helping others, class members fine-tune their talents in key areas such as team building, listening, problem-solving, positivity and empathy. These skillsets are paramount to developing stronger leaders and therefore, stronger communities.”

This year’s LGS program will kick off on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, with an orientation and wrap-up next May with a graduation ceremony.

Leadership Grand Strand Class 42 members are as follows:

Andrew Altman, Santee Cooper
Lauren Balogh, Lauren B LLC (Court Reporter)
Brent Barker, HTC
Kristen Bitzegaio, Waccamaw Community Foundation
Terrance Butler, ESA Fitness
Sophia Calhoun, Coastal Carolina University
Christy Chestnut, Liberty Senior Living
Aaron Clay, Myrtle Beach Fire Department
Kaitlin Cook, Horry County Solicitor's Office
Michelle Dzurenda, Arbonne International
Edsol Edge, HTC
Alfreda Funnye, City of Myrtle Beach
Keli Herring, Carolina Trust FCU
Nicole Hyman, Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Brandy Johnson, Coastal Carolina National Bank
Stacey Lyon, Beach Nest Interiors
Siiri Makela, Dayton House Resort
August Mize, Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union
Joe Scaturro, Sold by Joe Scaturro
Jason Self, Tidelands Health
Betsey Smithdeal, BB&T
Kathy Strauss, ImageWerks
Tony Troiani, Carolina Cool Inc.
Denielle Van Dyke, Monarch Roofing
Cedric White, Ocean Lakes Campground
Jessica Wnuk, Grand Strand Humane Society
Caroline Yahnis, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber

Each year, LGS awards qualifying participants with two financial scholarships. This year’s Bennie J. Swans Jr. Memorial Scholarship recipient is Terrance Butler with ESA Fitness.

In addition, five class members will receive the William F. Pritchard Scholarship: Lauren Balogh with Lauren B LLC, Michelle Dzurenda with Arbonne International, Stacey Lyon with Beach Nest Interiors, Kathy Strauss with ImageWerks and Jessica Wnuk with Grand Strand Humane Society.

For more information on LGS, visit LeadershipGrandStrand.com.