York County Regional Chamber of Commerce elects officers

The York County Regional Chamber of Commerce officially elected its new board at Thursday’s awards banquet ceremony.

Rick Jiran of Duke Energy South Carolina is the chairman for 2015. Assisting Jiran are Harvey Hawkins, chair-elect and treasurer, Geri Rucker, secretary, and Jerry Helms, past chairman.

Newly named regional board directors are Cheryl Atkinson and Amanda Stewart, class of 2015; Jay Rinehart, class of 2016; Ira Coltharp, Billy Hovestadt, Bill Masterton, Larry Stevens, David Swenson and Seth Zamek, class of 2017.

Jeff Bushardt and Lauren Richardson are the retiring board members.

Leading the regional chamber’s executive councils are Jason Collett, Dr. Rob Cynowa and P.S. Reddy.

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The day is a chance for local business and community leaders to go to the state capitol to learn about state government and meet legislators.

The Council of Chambers of York County includes the Greater Clover, Greater York, Lake Wylie, and York County Regional chambers of commerce.

The event is at the Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St., in downtown Columbia.

The primary purpose of York County Day is to promote the county, its needs and business issues. The event also provides local individuals the opportunity to learn more about current issues affecting businesses in York County and the state.

Registration begins at 1 p.m., and the event starts at at 1:30 p.m.

Local leaders chairing York County Day this year are Jeff Perez of Winthrop University and Vance Stine of Sifford-Stine Insurance.

The cost is $55 per person. Bus transportation from the Winthrop Coliseum at 11 a.m. (returning at 10 p.m.) is available for an additional fee of $15 per person. For information call the York County Regional Chamber, 803-324-7500 or email Marshall.McFadden@yorkcountychamber.com.

Agencies and organizations that are part of the partnership are: the Office of the Governor (Office of Economic Opportunity), the state departments of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, Social Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, Employment and Workforce, Education, Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, the Indian Development Council, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging, Job Corps and the SC Technical College System.

With more than $4.23 billion in export sales, China remained South Carolina’s top export partner in 2014. Rounding out the state’s top 10 export partners are Germany, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Algeria, Australia, Japan, Belgium and South Korea.

South Carolina’s year-over-year 13.1 percent increase ranks first among states that export more than $6 billion in goods. Nationwide, Hawaii, North Dakota, New Mexico, Wyoming and Alaska boasted a larger percentage increase.

South Carolina was the nation’s top exporter of completed passenger motor vehicles in 2014. With a 21 percent increase over 2013, vehicles accounted for $9.2 billion of South Carolina’s export sales, making it the state’s top export commodity of 2014. For the fourth consecutive year, the Palmetto State also led the nation in the export of tires, comprising nearly 30 percent of the total tire export market.

Calendar

Larry Carroll, president and CEO of Carroll Financial Associates, will give his annual assessment of current market trends and forecasts. The event will begin with a reception in the Macfeat House at 5:30 p.m. followed by the 6:30 p.m. presentation in Whitton Auditorium in Carroll Hall. The event free to the public.

For information contact Chris Holloman, College of Business Administration, at hollomanc@winthrop.edu, 803-323-2186, extension 6274, or go to www.2015cbamarketoutlook.eventbright.com.

The $50 fee, payable by cash or check, includes lunch. Please notify the Clemson Extension office of dietary restrictions. Pre-registration is required. Call Paul Thompson at 803-684-9919, ext. 112, or by email at pthmpsn@clemson.edu.

This story was originally published February 14, 2015 at 7:03 PM with the headline "York County Regional Chamber of Commerce elects officers."