Brenda Thames elected to lead the region’s largest business organization in 2017
September 8, 2015
GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Chamber’s leadership has elected Brenda Thames to chair its Board of Directors in 2017. Thames, Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs at Greenville Health System, has served on the Chamber’s board in quality of life, workforce development and education leadership roles for the past five years. She currently serves as Vice Chair of Talent Development as well as chairs the Chamber’s Education Committee.
Thames will take on the highest leadership role for the Greenville Chamber in 2017, which with membership over 2200, is the largest organization serving and advocating for businesses in our region. She will serve as Chair-Elect throughout the next year as TD Bank’s David Lominack chairs the Chamber’s 2016 board of directors. As Chair-Elect, she will chair the Board of Advisors, a group of business and organization leaders who meet quarterly to review business community progress and needs, and plan specific Chamber initiatives.
Current Chair Julie Brown notes, “Brenda is an admired professional, currently leading important collaborations in our economy. Her roles at GHS and Clemson University have placed her at the crossroads of industry and education. She is currently serving on our board of directors as the Vice Chair of Talent Development, leading the conversation between future needs and educational attainment. In the chair role, she will represent our business community well, both locally and as a model to other regions. I could not be more honored to pass the torch to our incoming leaders!”
According to Thames, “The Chamber’s mission to create an environment that allows Greenville to become a more prosperous place to live for all is an exciting platform that will guide continuous growth and vitality for our citizenry. It is with humility and excitement that I look forward to the next phase of the Greenville Chamber’s great work.
About Brenda Thames
Brenda J. Thames, Ed.D., Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs, joined Greenville Health System in 2007. In her current role, Dr. Thames is responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of all education and workforce development initiatives at GHS through the GHS Clinical University. She works with local schools and regional colleges and universities to develop collaborative partnerships focused on advancing health care through improved and expanded opportunities for current and future health professionals.
Prior to joining GHS, Dr. Thames served as associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Health, Education and Human Development at Clemson University.
Dr. Thames serves on numerous boards and committees representing the voice of health care, particularly from education and workforce perspectives. She earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Mississippi State University as well as a master’s degree in guidance and counseling and a doctorate in vocational and technical education from Clemson University.
About the Greenville Chamber
The Greenville Chamber, now in its 127th year of operation, is the largest business organization in Upstate South Carolina with over 2200 investors supporting the vision to continually improve the quality of life in our community by inspiring and facilitating business success. For more information, visit greenvillechamber.org or call 864-242-1050.
