Upstate Forever Board News

     John Lane of Spartanburg served with distinction on the Upstate Forever Board since the early days of the organization in 1999, including three years as Board Secretary, and is now moving to our Advisory Council. John is a professor at Wofford College where he teaches literature, creative writing and film. He is also an accomplished writer, with a long list of published essays, poems, short stories and books, including many moving pieces on nature and changing communities. He co-founded and is the project director of the highly acclaimed Hub City Writers Project in Spartanburg. Thank you, John, for all that you have done for us and the Upstate!

In July, Governor Mark Sanford awarded the Order of the Palmetto to Upstate Forever Board member Leon Patterson. This award, the state’s highest civilian honor, recognizes Leon’s extensive achievements in the banking industry and as a community volunteer. He is chairman and CEO of Palmetto Bancshares and has served on the boards of numerous business, arts, and civic organizations in the Upstate. This is a well-deserved honor for one of South Carolina’s greatest citizens. We are so fortunate to have him on our board. Congratulations, Leon!

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Juan A. Brown of Anderson has joined our Board of Directors. Juan grew up in Greenville, graduated from Furman University, served in the United States Air Force, and was an otolaryngologist in Anderson for almost 30 years. He retired in 2000, and since then he has had his own local television show on medical issues and has become an accomplished nature photographer.

He currently serves on the Anderson Chamber of Commerce Board where he chairs the water resources committee, and he is also the chair of the Anderson County Economic Development Advisory Board. Juan and his wife, Kay, have been members and supporters of Upstate Forever for many years. We are honored to have him on the Board and look forward to working with him.

We are excited to have two educational powerhouses joining our Advisory Council. Dr. Benjamin B. Dunlap serves as President of Wofford College in addition to being a writer, scholar, and public television producer. Bernie’s eloquent reflection on trees was featured in the July 2006 issue of the Upstate Advocate. Dr. David E. Shi is President of Furman University, as well as a writer and historian. Leading Furman in its new focus on sustainability, David is setting an example for campuses across the nation.