Greenville Chamber elects next board chair

Listen to this article

The Greenville Chamber’s leadership elected Jessica Donan as chair-elect of its board of directors and has added seven new board members for the upcoming year.

Donan will take over the highest volunteer leadership role for the Greenville Chamber in 2024. She will serve as chair-elect throughout the coming year.

Donan serves as EY’s office managing partner for Greenville, where she develops and maintains relationships on behalf of EY across the state. EY is in assurance, tax, transaction and consulting services. EY is a member firm of Ernest & Young Global Limited.

During her public accounting career, which has extended over 23 years, she has served as the coordinating partner for public, private and private-equity-backed companies across multiple sectors, according to a news release. She is engaged in the S.C. community through her work on Clemson University’s advisory board for the School of Accountancy, the Racial Equity and Economic Mobility Commission of Greenville and the Greenville Chamber Board.

“The opportunity to serve as the chair and further the Greenville Chamber’s mission to advance a globally competitive Upstate economy where businesses succeed and people prosper alongside our phenomenal board members is an honor and a privilege,” Donan said in the news release. “As our business community transforms to meet the current challenges of today it is our collective responsibility to lead, convene and mobilize in a manner that drives positive economic growth; even when it is difficult. Serving alongside my fellow board members I have seen the passion for our business community and the desire to do the hard work for the benefit of all. I am incredibly proud to be a part of this organization and committed to serving our community in this critical role to drive Greenville’s future economic success.”

Cal Hurst, Southern First Bank president, will serve as board chair in 2023.

“Jessica Donan is the right person at the right time to chair our board of director,” he said. “Her work ethic, inclusive leadership style, and dedication to doing things the right way align perfectly with who the Greenville business community is at its core. Jessica’s dedication and leadership have played a key role in the development of the chamber’s Strategic Plan for Diversity and Economic Inclusion, which businesses throughout Greenville County can benefit from through a partnership with the Greenville Chamber. I am excited to work with her in the coming years and do all we can to grow a greater Greenville.”

Seven local leaders will join the board, representing various industries across the Upstate:

• Chip Felkel, CEO and co-creator, Felkel Group and RAP Index

• Bennie Harris, chancellor, USC Upstate

• Julio Hernandez, assistant to the president for community outreach and engagement, Clemson University

• Robert Hughes, president, Hughes Development Corp.

• Dr. Marjorie Jenkins, dean and professor of medicine, USC School of Medicine Greenville

• Amanda Taylor, regional director of external affairs, AT&T

• Danya Trent, vice president of aeronautics F-16 programs and site lead for Greenville facility, Lockheed Martin

Will Huss, CEO of Trehel Corp., will serve as immediate past chair.

Six individuals have completed their board service term and will roll off the board, including Neil Batavia, Dority & Manning P.A.; Craig Brown, Greenville Drive; Steven Buckingham, The Law Office of Steven Edward Buckingham; Elizabeth Davis, Furman University; Max Metcalf, BMW Manufacturing Co.; and Gage Weekes, Hollingsworth Funds Inc.

The board of directors is the policy-making body of the Greenville Chamber. Its members represent the business and professional leadership of the community. New members will begin January 2023.

By Ashlie Puma