Al Young Named to Tri-County’s Commission
March 16, 2011
PENDLETON, SC – March 15, 2011 – J. Allard (Al) Young, of Honea Path, has been appointed to Tri-County Technical College’s Commission, the nine-member governing board of the College.
Governor Nikki R. Haley appointed Mr. Young to the Commission, effective in February. He takes the seat occupied by the late Rosemary Lindley, of Anderson. His term expires April 2013.
“Education is critical in providing quality growth and a way of life in our county. The technical education system is a key component in this process,” said Mr. Young, who is a member of the first graduating class of Florence Darlington Technical College (1966). “Beginning my education at a community college was a good first step for me, as it is for many citizens in our area. It grounded me and prepared me for future educational opportunities,” he said.
Mr. Young is president and CEO of The Commercial Bank in Honea Path, a position he has held since 1996. Prior to that he was senior vice president of BB&T in Belton for 12 years and served as president of Latta Bank and Trust Company from 1977 – 84. He began his career in banking with First Citizens Bank and Trust in Dillon, SC, as a management trainee and was promoted to vice president.
In 2010 Mr. Young was elected president of the Independent Banks of South Carolina at the organization’s annual convention.
A native of Florence, he studied heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology at Florence Darlington Technical College and later graduated from the University of Alabama where he earned a bachelor of science degree in administrative sciences. He also is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University, the National Commercial Lending Graduate School at the University of Oklahoma, the Graduate School of Bank Investments at the University of Oklahoma and the South Carolina Bankers School at the University of South Carolina. In addition, Mr. Young served six years in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Mr. Young is active in his community and was instrumental in bringing the Watkins Community Center to Honea Path by initially serving as chair of the organizing committee. In 2009, residents and Tri-County Technical College officials gathered at the Watkins Community Center in Honea Path to celebrate the dedication of the College’s new Learning Center named in honor of Senator Billy O’Dell. As a way of thanking Senator O’Dell for his continued support in the community and in assisting with obtaining state funding for renovations, the Center is named the Senator Billy O’Dell Learning Center and offers corporate and community education classes for the citizens of the Honea Path area.
“Tri-County Technical College is a major player in our Upstate area and serving on the Commission will allow me to help the citizens throughout Anderson County to be presented with many educational options, like the Watkins Community Center,” said Mr. Young.
In addition, Mr. Young is a member of the board of directors for the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce and the Jennie Erwin Library. He is president of the Watkins Community Center, Inc., is a member and past president of the Honea Path Civitans, and serves as chairman of the South Carolina Bankers Association Community Bankers Council. In 2000 and 2006 he was recognized as the Civitan of the Year by the Honea Path Civitans.
He is a member of Belton Presbyterian Church, where he serves as an elder. He is married to the former Judith Allen. They have a son, Carl, and a daughter, Carrie.
