Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Les Ward
Board Chair
Les Ward is currently employed as the General Manager for Pepsi of Florence/Pee Dee Foods and has been with the company for three and a half years. Originally from Kingsport, Tennessee, Les received his undergraduate degree in Management from the University of Tennessee. This is his first year as a board member for the United Way of Florence County and he joined the board to help impact the community. Les is married to his wife, Heather, and has four children, Hallie, Hanna, Sonner, and Leslie. His hobbies include F3, soccer, and golf and his ideal vacation would be in the mountains with his family. His favorite movie is My Cousin Vinny, his favorite author is Louis L'Amour.
Jeanette Altman
Campaign Chair
Jeanette Altman is currently employed as the Executive Director of the Continuum in Lake City. Originally from Spartanburg, SC, Jeanette received her undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from Clemson University. Jeanette worked for Michelin Tire Corp. in Lexington, SC before moving to Lake City with her husband who is a Lake City native. Once in Lake City, Jeanette pivoted to the world of education. She was a math teacher and assistant principal before assuming the principalship at J. Paul Truluck Magnet School. In her current role, she works with schools, students, and businesses from all over the region connecting them with education and training offered at the Continuum.
This is her first year as a board member for the United Way. She was involved with the United Way while working with Michelin and has seen the impact that the United Way can make in a community. Jeanette has two children and enjoys boating, watching sports, and spending time with her friends and family. Her ideal vacation is anywhere with warm weather and good food.
Mackenzie Webb
Secretary
Bio Coming Soon
Dwayne Brockington
Treasurer
Dwayne Brockington is currently employed as the Vice President-Relationship Banker for First Reliance Bank and has been with the company for 13 years. Originally from Mullins, Brockington received his B.S. in Biology from Francis Marion College and is also a graduate of the South Carolina School of Banking. Brockington joined the UWFC board eight years ago and decided to serve on the board because the United Way is a well-known agency that is committed to serving the Florence community by providing an array of services. He is married to his wife, Dara, and has two children, Kara and Nick. His hobbies include music and playing the piano and his ideal vacation would be relaxing on a beach. His favorite movies are Remember the Titans and the Blind Side.
Jill Lewis
Nominations Co-Chair
Jill Lewis is currently employed with Signature Wealth Strategies and has been with the company for just under a year. A New York City native, Jill received her B.S. in Education from Penn State University. She has served on the UWFC board for over thirty years and chose to serve because she truly believes in the organization and the number of really excellent agencies that the UWFC assists. Jill also feels that the UWFC reaches many, many people with a variety of needs and emergencies, while also doing the homework to ensure that your money reaches the most critical needs. Jill is married to her husband, Dr. Joseph Lewis, and has three children, Adam, Christopher, and Nicole. Her hobbies include running, the beach, and enjoying time spent with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her favorite TV shows are the news and the Voice, her ideal vacation would be traveling through history or island hopping.
Irby Wilson
Nominations Co-Chair
Irby Wilson is currently employed as the Director of Operations for the Orr Company and has been with the company for over thirty years. Irby is originally from Timmonsville, South Carolina, and received his undergraduate degree in Electronics from Florence-Darlington Technical College. He joined the UWFC board six years ago because he has always been a believer in the UWFC. Irby is married to his wife, Alvenia, and has two children, Kierston and Sharon. His hobbies include traveling, computers, and watching western movies.
Quincy Kennedy
CIC Chair
Quincy Kennedy is currently employed as the CCO of Signature Wealth Strategies and has over twenty years of experience in the field of investments. He received his B.S. in Finance and M.B.A. from the University of South Carolina and also serves on the board for the Florence County Voter Registration & Election Commission and chaired the United Way’s Community Investment Committee. Outside of his professional and philanthropic work, Quincy enjoys photography, hunting, flying, skydiving, and living life to the fullest.
Board Members
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Boone Aiken IV
Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Boone Aiken IV is currently employed as an Associate Attorney at Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. and has been with the company for seven months. Originally from Florence, South Carolina, he attended Wake Forest University and received a bachelor’s degree in English. He also earned a Juris Doctor degree at the University of North Carolina School of Law. Boone has joined as a board member for the United Way of Florence County as a way of giving back to a growing community and helping however he can. His favorite TV show is The Office and his ideal vacation destination would be somewhere tropical.
James Aikens
ADP Tax Credit Services
Bio coming soon.
Kay Andrews
PGBA
Kay Andrews is currently employed as the Vice President, Operations for PGBA, LLC/Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina and has been with the company for thirty years. Originally from McBee, South Carolina, Kay received her Administrative Management degree from Clemson University and has been in the Florence Area for thirty years. She has served on the UWFC board for eight years and joined because she felt the UWFC significantly impacts the residents of Florence County, providing the ability for partner agencies to touch and improve the lives of many of our neighbors each year. She also feels that by partnering with these agencies, the UWFC is not limited to reaching a specific area or age group. Instead, a multitude of programs that address critical community needs are made available and reach all ages, from young babies to seniors. Kay is married to her husband, Charles, and has two children, Matthew and Claire. In her free time, she enjoys walking, reading, cooking, and watching her favorite TV show, Grey's Anatomy. Her ideal vacation would be a Caribbean cruise.
Bryan Braddock
House of Hope
Bryan Braddock is currently employed as the CEO of House of Hope and has been with the organization for nine years. Originally from Florence, South Carolina, he received a B.A. in Economics at Francis Marion University. Bryan attended the Indiana School of Philanthropy and gained a Certificate in Fundraising Management and a Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership. By joining United Way, he wishes to help local nonprofits achieve their mission of helping the community. He is married to his wife, Tracey, and has four children: Hannah, Haley, Hayda, and Holly. In his free time, Bryan enjoys jiu-jitsu, guitar, and OCR races.
Ashley Christenbury
First Bank
Ashley Christenbury is currently employed as a Business Development Officer and Vice President at First Bank and has been with the company for four years. Originally from Sumter, South Carolina, Ashley graduated from the University of South Carolina Upstate with a B.A. in Business Administration. She has decided to join United Way of Florence County as a way to get involved, engage with the community, and serve others. She is married to her husband, Kyle, and has two children, Jayden and Liam. In her free time, Ashley enjoys cruising, shopping, and football.
Sarah Duby
Assurant
Bio Coming Soon.
Jamie Floyd
Florence County
Jamie Floyd is currently employed with Florence County as the Assistant Assessor and has been with the County Assessor's office for 2 years. Originally from Lake City, SC; Jamie is married to his wife Michelle and has three children, Madison, Brooke, and Brendan. He decided to join the United Way of Florence County board because he believes involving Florence County with United Way would be a huge gain for both organizations. In his free time, Jamie enjoys hunting, fishing, and most of all, spending time with his children. His favorite movie is The Count of Monte Cristo.
Michael Hemingway
City of Florence
Michael Hemingway has been employed with the City of Florence, South Carolina since July 2002. Michael currently serves as the Economic Development and Utility Planning Director, having held prior positions of Utilities Director October 2011 to November 2022, Production & Treatment Department Manager 2008 to 2011, Production and Treatment Division Manager 2006 to 2008, and Wastewater Division Manager 2002 to 2006.
Michael completed his undergraduate studies at Clemson University and received a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, graduating in 1993. Michael also received a Master of Business Administration in 1999 from Francis Marion University, and a Master Certification Health Administration and Policy, in 1999 from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Michael has served on the following organizations: Member and former President of the Pee Dee District Water Environment Association of South Carolina, South Carolina Sustainability Advisory Committee, Rural Infrastructure Authority, Member of the Board of Directors for Health Care Partners of South Carolina, Former Marion County Planning Commission Member, and a Former Member of Marion School District Seven School Board of Trustees.
Michael is currently licensed by South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Environmental Certification Board as a licensed South Carolina Biological Wastewater Operator, South Carolina Water Operator, and South Carolina Distribution Operator, as well as a licensed South Carolina Collection System Operator through the South Carolina Water Environment Federation.
Troy Jemison
Troy Jemison is currently employed at Niagara Bottling as a Plant Director and has been with the company for two years. Originally from Florence, South Carolina, Troy attended Wagner College and received a bachelor’s degree. He is married to his wife, Freida, and has two children, Drew and Courtney. His ideal vacation would be Hawaii, and for hobbies, Troy enjoys golf, working, Corvette rides, and snowboarding.
Mathew Langston
Gray Fox Strategic
Mathew Langston is currently employed as CFO of Gray Fox Strategic. Mathew is originally from Florence and received his undergraduate degree in Business Finance and Management and his M.B.A. from the University of South Carolina. Langston has been on the UWFC board for 3 years and joined to be a part of an organization that supports the Florence community and the many individuals who live here. He is married to his wife, Heather, and has two children, Maddox and Noah. In his free time, Langston enjoys tennis, golf, hunting, and "living the dream". His favorite TV show is Sports Center and his favorite movie is Remember the Titans. Langston's ideal vacation would be an all-inclusive stay in the Caribbean.
Rich Rowlett
Field Fastener
Rich Rowlett is currently employed as the Site Leader of Florence Operations at Field Fastener and has been with the company for seven years. Originally from South Beloit, Illinois, he attended Western Illinois University. Rich decided to join United Way because he loves to help out in his community and enjoys bringing smiles to people’s faces. He is married to his wife, Jackie, and has two children, Witten and Pierce. For his hobbies, Rich likes playing golf and baseball. His favorite TV show is Ozark, his favorite movie is Major League, and his favorite book is the Go Giver. His ideal vacation would be anywhere that he and his family could be together.
Chipper Smith
Smith Funeral Home
Bio Coming Soon.
Savannah Wright
ACS Technologies
Savannah Wright is currently employed with ACS Technologies as a Market Strategist and has been with the company for six months. Originally from Florence, South Carolina, Savannah received her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina. As a new board member, Savannah joined to serve the community and work with others who share the same ambition. Her hobbies include traveling as well as spending time with friends and family. Her favorite author is Ken Follett, and she enjoys watching Andy Griffith.