About Me

A look at my Career

Education

DPA - Doctorate of Public Administration , California Baptist University, Riverside CA - Anticipated Graduation 2023

MSCAA – Masters of College Athletic Administration, Coker University Hartsville, SC - December 2015

BSA – Bachelor of Arts, Major: Communications, Coker University Hartsville, SC - May 2013

Work Experience

Sports & Recreation Supervisor, City of Hartsville, Hartsville, SC - October 2016 – April 2019

As the Sports and Recreation Supervisor I was responsible for creating programming and events to promote and increase the quality of life of Hartsville’s community through sports and recreation. I have progressed the department creating all new initiatives and programs listed below.

I served as the city liaison for the South Carolina Nature Based Tourism Association and South Carolina Sports Alliance where I took applicable industry trends and tailored them to the area.
Organized and spearheaded a group to execute Fall Paddlefest, a Paddlesport festival which attracted participants from 9 states and boosted the interest of the Paddlesport industry in Hartsville allowing for new businesses to open to cater to the new interest.
Served as city liaison for the Florence Wildcats, Carolina Thunder and East Coast Basketball league to bring semi-pro basketball opportunities to the City of Hartsville in the form of spectating and participating. We hosted camps, scrimmages, games and league playoffs as a result.
Collaborated with the Experiential Aircraft Association to build consistent programming at the general aviation municipal airport.
Served as city liaison to Carolina Gators a newly formed semi-pro football team competing in the Independent American Football League.
Collaborated with One More Round Boxing Club and South Carolina USA Boxing officials to organize Show Down in the Pee Dee II, an amateur boxing event. The Boxing club works to expose at risk youth to the discipline of boxing.
Organized Orlando Hudson and Ken Griffey Jr. Pee Dee Major League Camp exposing Hartsville youth to Major League Baseball Instruction.
Created Polices and Procedures to ensure systemic operations for staff and fitness instructors.
Through outreach efforts landed new and lasting partnerships with Girls University, Darlington County First Steps and the Darlington County Community Action Agency.

Tourism & Special Events Director, City of Hartsville, Hartsville, SC - July 2015 – September 2016

The Tourism & Special Events Director was a newly created position in response to the City of Hartsville’s need for intentional tourism efforts. The position was designed to perform a variety of activities for coordinating and promoting tourism events/activities, and City of Hartsville special events held throughout the City. I was responsible for applying for accommodations and hospitality tax funds and other revenues as appropriated. The Tourism & Special Events Director served as a liaison between the South Carolina Sports Alliance and Hospitality Council. With the growth of the area tourism industry the position quickly grew to Tourism Director, Special Event Processer and Visitor’s Center Manager.

In Fiscal Year July 2015 – June 2016 under my directed tourism efforts Hartsville, Darlington County led the State of South Carolina in Accommodations Tax Increase with a total of 43.8% change related to the state average of 8% as determined by the South Carolina Department of Revenue and reported by the South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department.
In March 2016 the City of Hartsville opened its first Visitor’s Center: The Key which housed Main Street Hartsville and Hartsville Tourism Departments. I was responsible for the fiscal and inventory management of The Key. The Visitor’s Center saw an increase of traffic as the tourism industry and area residents became conditioned to its presence. The Visitor’s Center also served as a leisure hub with local attraction guides and event information. With the economic growth of the community we gained the attention of state organizations The Municipal Association of South Carolina and the Main Street South Carolina program.
I piqued the interest of State Children’s Museum Edventure and sparked the conversation of a Hartsville becoming a satellite site. Today Hartsville is the only satellite site for the Edventure.
I contributed to the growth of Hartsville’s tourism industry by educating industry entities on available resources. The Hartsville Community Rice Festival, Coker University Athletic Department and Historic Center Theater all applied for and received Accommodations or Hospitality Tax funds in FY15-16. In FY16-17 the first-timer Darlington Dragway applied for Accommodations and Hospitality tax funds.
In October 2015 I spear headed the efforts to disseminate information about new event Master National Dog Retriever Competition coming to the area. Due to the Tourism Department’s support and hospitality, Hartsville was able to be included in the organization’s national conversation. The unique sporting event consisted of 1,000 retrievers and sporting trials while lasting a total of 17 days.
I mobilized a committee to organize inaugural Bayler Ball Invitational (2015), a charity youth travel ball tournament benefiting Bayler’s Prayer Endowment, a fund which benefits the Palmetto Health Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorder Department. In 2015 the tournament broke the record for city owned multisport complex, Byerly Park with a total of 38 participating teams. In 2016 the tournament almost doubled with a total of 69 teams and two added locations and raised a total of $18,000.
I Served as Special Event Processor and front lined applications before communicating with the City Manager, Human Resources, Purchasing Agent, Police and Fire Departments.
I launched the City’s first interactive calendar by affording public event submission access. This freed up our short-staffed employees who were responsible of seeking out event information for community calendars, newsletters and monthly event cards.
Introduced digital media to Hartsville in 2015 by working with mobile app developer Bluebridge to construct digital guide to Hartsville for residents and tourists alike. The mobile app includes a complete restaurant guide, event information, attraction information, hotel, motel and campsite information and key contact info. It also has push notification capabilities and serves as a platform for immediate communication. The mobile app has seen just under 1000 downloads in its first year. Population of Hartsville: 7,700
Organize shuttle service during Labor Day Race Weekend. Labor Day Race Weekend is when one of the greatest attended sporting events in South Carolina occurs with the Bojangle’s Southern 500 at the Darlington Raceway. The shuttle service provides an added incentive to stay in Hartsville’s hotels as it provides a safe transportation service to and from the racetrack. The tourism department partnered with the Hartsville YMCA and assisted in the service becoming their lucrative fundraiser.
Coordinated first ever Juneteenth Festival in Darlington County and gained the support of the Darlington County Historical Commission.
Collaborated with elected officials and the local ministerial alliance to host a unified church service in response to national acts of hate with Love in Action.

Darlington County Tourism Director, Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, Hartsville, SC - March 2014- June 2015

The Darlington County Tourism Department was created by the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce to serve a county tourism industry. Hartsville is the only municipality within the County that has accommodations. Darlington County Tourism was created specifically to facilitate visitors in Darlington County during Labor Day Race Weekend. After accepting the position, I quickly realized the potential of our unique area facilities. I then pushed Darlington County as a Sports and Recreation Destination by joining the South Carolina Sports Alliance and took a more aggressive approach to our tourism industry.

I assembled a meeting with county-wide first responders, public officials and SCDOT in preparation for the National Bikers Roundup in anticipation of 40,000 attendees. The 2015 National Bikers Roundup was a 5 day minority dominated camp rallying event held at the Darlington Dragway. Due to a year in advance of preparations our County Sheriff and City Police Departments deemed the event a success with no offenses.
I introduced Sport Tourism to the area by joining the South Carolina Sports Alliance. I dug into existing tournaments and activities and supplied attendees with area specific literature to maximize spending, thus increasing Accommodations and Hospitality taxes.
I made the department visible with social media and regular county and city council presentations.
Supported the Society Hill’s Catfish Festival, the Lamar Egg Scramble Jamboree, Darlington’s Sweet Potato Festival and Hartsville’s Renofest. This was the first time festival committees had experienced interest from the Darlington County Tourism Department.

Communications Assistant, Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, Hartsville, SC - January 2013 – March 2014

I accepted the part-time position of Communications Assistant after interning with the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce. During my time in the position I pioneered a digital revolution in Hartsville. At the time the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce was the staple for the business community as most businesses followed their suit.

Created social media accounts and produced digital content. Increased our Facebook likes by 40%
I rebranded our electronic newsletter and switched to a more user friendly and analytics generating platform, Constant Contact, and increased circulation to 1500+ recipients. The Chamber quickly became the resource for community activity.
Updated and introduced a more contemporary website, Chamber Master, and generated content.

Leadership/Coaching Experience

In conjunction with certifications and consulting experiences I have partook in a few Leadership and Development Seminars, Programs and Classes which include the John Maxwell Live2Lead, Coker University’s the Art of Leadership Class and the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Hartsville program. I have facilitated the Champion Influence Conference on Leadership, Team Engagement & Inclusion Conference. Lastly, I was a panel member for the Marcus Lattimore Foundation’s Leadership Academy.

Strategic Connections Consultant, Leadership Strategy & Consulting, LLC - May 2017 – Current

I assist entities with marketing, increasing community presence and with implementing innovative and resourceful solutions to fit their business challenges. Through new pairings they expand their audience and capitalized on completed efforts.

Certified Coach, Leadership Strategy & Consulting, LLC - February 2019

I have been certified to apply the process of facilitation as I was licensed to facilitate the Champion Influence Coaching & Leadership Curriculum. My focus was on organizations, specifically town, city and county councils. As well as board of directors for non-profit organizations.

Scholarly Experience

Keynote Speaker for Coker University Sophomore Skills Conference - 2015

Alumni Panel, Coker History and Traditions Seminar for Freshman - 2015

Presenter for Coker University Junior Internship Bootcamp - 2015

Guest taught classes at Coker University

COM, Public Speaking 2014
COM, Interpretation of Communication - 2015
PE, Sport Communication - 2015

Civic Service/Organizations

Through my involvement in social service I was able to bridge gaps that had not yet been explored. I connected my Main Street Hartsville Promotions Committee with Coker University to organize the first ever Coker Homecoming Parade. Through that project the Coker Community Integration Committee was born and designed specifically to bridge the gap between the community and the University. I also used resources to cross promote and increase visibility of the Butler Heritage Foundation, a less visible minority cultural heritage entity.

Board of Directors, Thomas Hart Academy 2017-2018

Member, Clemson Extension Advisory Council 2016-2018
Member, External Review Committee, South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics 2016-2018
Graduate, Leadership Hartsville 2016
Board of Directors, Butler Heritage Foundation 2015-2017
Member, Rotary Club of Hartsville 2015-2018
Member, Sparrow Scholarship Committee, Coker University 2015-Current
Member, South Carolina Sports Alliance 2015-2019
Board member, Main Street Hartsville 2015
Chair, Promotions Committee, Main Street Hartsville 2015
Member, Hospitality Council 2015
Member, Coker Community Integration Committee 2015

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