Columbia Chamber announces 2026-2027 Board of Directors

Peyton Bryant, Trinity Partners, to Chair Columbia Chamber Board of Directors

The Columbia Chamber announced the 2026-2027 Board of Directors with the addition of seven new members.

Peyton Bryant, Trinity Partners, has been elected to serve as chairman of the board for the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. He succeeds Terrance Ford, AT&T. David Looper, Furniture Services, Inc. and ACRS Corporate Housing, will serve as chair-elect.

New members joining the Chamber’s Board this year include: Lynn Tickner, Ink & Key; Mark James, Cypress Real Estate Partners; Molly Campolong, Robinson Gray; Nic Collins, Nic Collins Authentic; Nick Joyner, Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union; Rick Reames, Maynard Nexsen; and Susan Surratt, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

“It is an incredible honor to serve as Chair of the Columbia Chamber at a time of tremendous momentum for our region,” said Peyton Bryant. “People are choosing to live here, businesses are choosing to invest here and our community continues to grow. The Chamber has an important role to play in building on that momentum by connecting our business community, advocating for policies that support a strong economy and bringing together organizations and leaders who can accomplish more collectively than they can alone. As Chair, I look forward to growing and strengthening our Partnership, demonstrating the impact of the Chamber’s advocacy and helping ensure the Midlands continues to be a place where businesses and communities can grow, compete and succeed.”

“Our Board of Directors brings together an exceptional group of leaders who understand that a strong business community is built through collaboration, engagement and a shared commitment to our region,” said Jean Cecil Hudak, President and CEO of the Columbia Chamber. “Their experience, perspective and willingness to serve strengthen the Chamber and help us create meaningful opportunities for businesses and the people who call the Midlands home. I’m grateful for their leadership and excited about what we can accomplish together.”

The 2026-2027 Columbia Chamber Board of Directors:

*indicates Executive Committee Member

• Dr. Michael Amiridis | University of South Carolina
• Dr. Roslyn Artis* | Benedict College
• Robby Aull | SSOE
• David Brannen | Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated
• Peyton Bryant* | Trinity Partners
• Caleb Buchanan | Prisma Health
• Jesse Bullard* | Southern Way Catering
• John Cadena* | Dominion Energy
• Molly Campolong* | Robinson Gray
• Holt Chetwood* | First Citizens Bank
• Nic Collins | Nic Collins Authentic
• Jacob Cook| Sun Solutions
• Dr. Stephen Cutler | University of South Carolina
• Dr. John Dozier | Columbia College
• Bill Duda | Ogletree Deakins
• Bill Ellen | Experience Columbia SC
• Waites Epps | Wells Fargo
• Terrance Ford*| AT&T
• Jason Giulietti | Central SC Alliance
• John Griggs* | Pinnacle + Synovus
• Clarice Henderson* | Scout Motors Inc.
• Emily James* | Find Great People
• Mark James* | Cypress Real Estate Partners
• Karen Jenkins* | KRJ Consulting, LLC
• Laura Jones | McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture
• Nick Joyner | Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union
• Matt Kennell | City Center Partnership, Inc.
• Carlton King | Michelin North America
• Montague Laffitte* | SouthState Bank
• Emilie Lewis | Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union
• Matthew Littlejohn | MUSC Health
• Dr. Gregory Little | Midlands Technical College
• David Looper* | Furniture Services, Inc.
• JT McLawhorn | Columbia Urban League, Inc.
• Shayla Merritt | Unum/Colonial Life
• Anita Murphy | Grow Financial Federal Credit Union
• Kathleen Muthig | Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
• Rick Reames* | Maynard Nexsen
• Robert Rhodes* | BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
• Dr. Larry Salley | Greater Columbia Community Relations Council
• Mark Scriven | Elliott Davis
• Brad Shank | Columbia Fireflies
• Rick Shippey | Mark Anthony Brewing
• Brian Smith* | Lexington Health
• Lindsey Spires| Bank of America
• Susan Surratt | BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
• Lynn Tickner | Ink & Key
• Chris White | Columbia Metropolitan Airport
• Nicole Hendricks Woods | Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Columbia
• Chris Zimmer* | Truist

About the Columbia Chamber

The Columbia Chamber is a private, nonprofit, Partner-driven organization comprised of 1,200 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, and Richland counties. The Columbia Chamber serves as the voice of its Partners and the business community at large on matters of economic, educational, social, cultural, and political concern, as well as supports and promotes the success of its Partners through networking, professional development, advocacy, and leadership. The organization has represented the interests of the local business community since 1902.

To become a partner or to learn more about the Columbia Chamber, as well as its events, programs, and initiatives, visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com.