"Every Child deserves a champion"
Rita Pierson
A champion: Someone who fights for you; someone who unwaveringly supports your cause. Charter Champions are those who believe in the power of school choice, who are committed to ensuring that every child has a quality option for free, public education and who are persistent in their efforts to improve the outcomes for our children. In particular, they are advocates for Greenville Technical Charter High School, the first charter high school in the state of South Carolina. GTCHS is grateful for our champions. The role they play in promoting strong legislation, providing financial contributions, and leading innovative practices is vital for the students we serve.
2014 Charter Champions
Senator Jim DeMint was elected in 1998 to the first of three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004. Senator DeMint has served as the President of the Heritage foundation, a non-profit think tank in Washington, D.C. He is an accomplished author and speaker and has supported GTCHS through the years through his support of education bills and government grants.
Dr. Harold Shaw is a Diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology and is on the adjunct faculty of the Duke Eye Center in Durham, NC. He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, a recipient of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Honor, Senior Achievement, and Secretariat Awards, and services as a Director of the American Board of Ophthalmology. Dr. Shaw practices in Greenville, where he is Chairman of Jervey Eye Group, P.A.
Minor Mickel Shaw is the President of Micco LLC, a private investment company and Chairman of the Greenville Spartanburg International Airport Commission. She has served on the Board of Directors for Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC, and Columbia Funds. She has been the Trustee of many distinguished organizations including the Duke Endowment, the Daniel-Mickel Foundation, the Hollingsworth Funds and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC Foundation. Mrs. Shaw is a recipient of many prestigious business and civic awards including South Carolina's Order of the Palmetto.
Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 115,000 people worldwide. The Greenville, SC facility offers "nose to tail" maintenance, structural modifications, and state of the art upgrades for both military and civil aircraft. Located at the SC Technology and Aviation Center, Lockheed Martin plays an active role in helping to strengthen the quality of life in our community by partnering with local organizations and schools such as Greenville Technical Charter High School.
Dr. Harold Shaw is a Diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology and is on the adjunct faculty of the Duke Eye Center in Durham, NC. He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, a recipient of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Honor, Senior Achievement, and Secretariat Awards, and services as a Director of the American Board of Ophthalmology. Dr. Shaw practices in Greenville, where he is Chairman of Jervey Eye Group, P.A.
Minor Mickel Shaw is the President of Micco LLC, a private investment company and Chairman of the Greenville Spartanburg International Airport Commission. She has served on the Board of Directors for Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC, and Columbia Funds. She has been the Trustee of many distinguished organizations including the Duke Endowment, the Daniel-Mickel Foundation, the Hollingsworth Funds and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC Foundation. Mrs. Shaw is a recipient of many prestigious business and civic awards including South Carolina's Order of the Palmetto.
Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 115,000 people worldwide. The Greenville, SC facility offers "nose to tail" maintenance, structural modifications, and state of the art upgrades for both military and civil aircraft. Located at the SC Technology and Aviation Center, Lockheed Martin plays an active role in helping to strengthen the quality of life in our community by partnering with local organizations and schools such as Greenville Technical Charter High School.
2013 Charter Champions
Lynda Leventis-Wells has served as the Executive Director of the Carolinas Institute for Community Policing and on the Greenville County School's Board of Trustees. During her tenure at GTC, she served as Director of the College High School Program as well as Director of Enrollment and Department Head of Criminal Justice. She received numerous awards, including the 2008 YMCA Dream Achievers Award and the SC Order of the Palmetto. Lynda served on the GTCHS Board of Directors from 2003-2007 and serviced as Vice Chairman from 2005-2007.
Dr. Robert Nash taught science at Brashier Middle College and GTCHS and was a professor of biology at Southern Wesleyan University. He served in the military including time in the National Guard. He has served as a board member for countless organizations that include Central Business Council and the Anderson Oconee Pickens Mental Health Board. He previous served as the board chairman for GTCHS and served on the Board of Directors for BMC. His many awards include the 2012 SC Public Charter School Alliance Advocate of the Year.
Lisa Stevens is a former GTCHS parent. She served on the Board of Directors for Langston Middle School, which she helped to establish. She also served as a member of the SC Education Lottery Commission, the SC Mental Health Commission, and the Chairman of the SC Legacy Trust. She currently serves on the Greenville Health System Board.
Dr. Robert Wilson is a Greenville surgeon who served on the Board of Trustees for Greenville Technical College and is the Executive Director for the Eleanor and Earl Sargent Foundation. He has served on several baords including The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Greenville. Dr. Wilson served on the planning committee for GTCHS and has supported the school both financially and with service. His wife, Teresa, was an active volunteer at GTCHS. Both his son Jay and Robert are alumni of GTCHS.
Dr. Robert Nash taught science at Brashier Middle College and GTCHS and was a professor of biology at Southern Wesleyan University. He served in the military including time in the National Guard. He has served as a board member for countless organizations that include Central Business Council and the Anderson Oconee Pickens Mental Health Board. He previous served as the board chairman for GTCHS and served on the Board of Directors for BMC. His many awards include the 2012 SC Public Charter School Alliance Advocate of the Year.
Lisa Stevens is a former GTCHS parent. She served on the Board of Directors for Langston Middle School, which she helped to establish. She also served as a member of the SC Education Lottery Commission, the SC Mental Health Commission, and the Chairman of the SC Legacy Trust. She currently serves on the Greenville Health System Board.
Dr. Robert Wilson is a Greenville surgeon who served on the Board of Trustees for Greenville Technical College and is the Executive Director for the Eleanor and Earl Sargent Foundation. He has served on several baords including The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Greenville. Dr. Wilson served on the planning committee for GTCHS and has supported the school both financially and with service. His wife, Teresa, was an active volunteer at GTCHS. Both his son Jay and Robert are alumni of GTCHS.
2012 Charter Champions
Hayne Hipp is the founder of the Liberty Fellowship and a community leader who works tirelessly to help improve the education and business opportunities in South Carolina. Hayne is the former CEO of the Liberty Corporation and is a trustee of the Aspen Institute. Hayne and his wife Anna Kate have three children and five grandchildren. Hayne has been a support of GTCHS for several years.
Dr. Anthony Johnson has been practiced pediatric ophthalmology in the upstate for over 26 years. He is a managing partner of Jervey Eye Group a multi-subspecialty eye care group with offices in Greenville and Pickens counties. His two sons William and Charles are both graduates of GTCHS. Anthony and his wife Laurie, a hospice nurse started the GTCHS Endowment Fund in 2007. Laurie also volunteered in the GTCHS Development Office for several years.
Ray Lattimore is the founder and president of Marketplace Staffing Services, Inc. He is also known for his longstanding commitment to development our community through decades of extensive volunteer work and philanthropy in South Carolina. Ray served on the GTCHS Board of Directors. He and his wife Jackie have one son Michael who graduated from GTCHS in 2010.
Carl Sobocinski is a founding partner of Table 301 and is very active in the community. He has served on several boards and committees in the state and on the board for Euphoria. Carl and Table 301 have been strong supporters of GTCHS and have sponsored the GTCHS Senior Luncheon.
Dr. Anthony Johnson has been practiced pediatric ophthalmology in the upstate for over 26 years. He is a managing partner of Jervey Eye Group a multi-subspecialty eye care group with offices in Greenville and Pickens counties. His two sons William and Charles are both graduates of GTCHS. Anthony and his wife Laurie, a hospice nurse started the GTCHS Endowment Fund in 2007. Laurie also volunteered in the GTCHS Development Office for several years.
Ray Lattimore is the founder and president of Marketplace Staffing Services, Inc. He is also known for his longstanding commitment to development our community through decades of extensive volunteer work and philanthropy in South Carolina. Ray served on the GTCHS Board of Directors. He and his wife Jackie have one son Michael who graduated from GTCHS in 2010.
Carl Sobocinski is a founding partner of Table 301 and is very active in the community. He has served on several boards and committees in the state and on the board for Euphoria. Carl and Table 301 have been strong supporters of GTCHS and have sponsored the GTCHS Senior Luncheon.