Gaffney Resident, Gregory M. Tate, Named Chairman of the Spartanburg County Commission for Technical and Community Education
August 20, 2015
SPARTANBURG, SC – Gaffney resident, Mr. Gregory M. Tate, has been elected to serve as chairman of the Spartanburg County Commission for Technical & Community Education, the governing body of Spartanburg Community College. He is the first Commission chair from Cherokee County, and replaces Mr. W. Bruce Johnson who has served as chair since 2011.
.
“We are fortunate to have well qualified and dedicated community leaders serving SCC as commission members. Commissioner Tate brings unique professional experiences to the table, all which are ideal in guiding the College toward fulfilling our mission of educating community residents and providing training, economic development resources to local businesses and industries,” explains Henry C. Giles, Jr., SCC’s president. “We are excited that Mr. Tate is our first chair from Cherokee County, and we are indebted to Mr. Johnson for serving as our commission chair for the past four years, and for continuing his service as a commission member representing Spartanburg County School District 5.”
.
Tate is a 1971 graduate of Limestone College with a business management degree and retired from the construction industry after working as chief financial officer and controller for more than 30 years. He is currently self-employed as a financial consultant for contractors. Tate is active in the Gaffney community as a member of First Baptist Church as well as past president of the Gaffney Rotary Club, the local chapter of the International Management Council, and past chairman of the Cherokee County Meals on Wheels Advisory Board. Additionally, Mr. Tate has also served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board, the S.C. Baptist Hospital Advisory Board and is a charter member of the S.C. chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association. Tate and his wife, Cynthia, have two grown children, one granddaughter and one grandson.
.
Other newly elected commission officers include Mr. William G. Sarratt, representing Spartanburg County School District 6, who will serve as vice chairman. Sarratt joined the commission in 1997 and previously served two terms as vice chair. He is retired as vice president of operations from Roebuck Builders.
.
Mr. Tracy W. Keller, representing Spartanburg County School District 3,joined the Commission in 2012 and will serve as secretary. He works with Denny’s Corporation as senior manager of Denny’s Real Estate Portfolio at the corporate office in Spartanburg.
.
Commission officers are elected to serve a four-year term. The following individuals also serve as commission members of the Spartanburg County Commission for Technical & Community Education-
.
Officers
- Mr. Gregory M. Tate – Chairman, Cherokee County
- Mr. William G. Sarratt – Vice Chairman, School District No. 6
- Mr. Tracy W. Keller – Secretary, School District No. 3
- Vacant – School District No. 1
- Mr. Eugene (Sonny) Anderson – School District No. 2
- Mr. F. Gary Towery – School District No. 4
- Mr. William Bruce Johnson – School District No. 5
- Mr. Anthony D. Bell – School District No. 7
- Mr. Stanley O. Vanderford – Union County
- Mr. James M. Folk – Member at Large
- Ms. Kimberly A. Fowler – Member at Large
Ex-Officio
- Dr. C. Scott Turner – Superintendent, School District No. 5
- Mr. J. Whitner Kennedy, Jr. – Chairman, Spartanburg County Planning Commission
South Carolina State Board for Technical and Comprehensive
- Stephen J. Burry – Fourth Congressional District
The SCC commission includes 13 voting commissioners who are appointed by the governor upon recommendation of the legislative delegations representing Spartanburg, Union and Cherokee counties. Responsibilities of commissioners are to establish policy for governing the College, oversee and guide the president in the administration of the College and help establish a favorable and supportive environment for the College.
.
Seven commissioners reside in and represent each of the seven school districts in Spartanburg County, one commissioner represents Cherokee County, one represents Union County and two commissioners are at-large residents of Spartanburg County. Additionally, two commissioners serve in an ex-officio capacity: a representative school superintendent from Spartanburg and the chairman of the Spartanburg County Planning Commission.
.
Registration is ongoing for SCC’s fall Flex Start classes that begin on September 22 and October 12. For a complete listing of all class schedule offerings, visit www.sccsc.edu/academics/search.aspx. Individuals interested in applying to the College can contact the SCC Admissions Center at (864) 592-4800 or toll free (866) 591-3700 or apply online at www.sccsc.edu.
.
.
About Spartanburg Community College
.
Named one of the fastest-growing colleges in the nation according to Community College Week, SCC offers more than 100 academic program offerings including associate degrees, diplomas and certificates, plus University Transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities. SCC provides flexible class scheduling including day, evening, weekend classes with multiple start dates and more than 100 online classes through SCCOnline. Offering the lowest tuition in the region, convenient locations, and regional/national accreditations, SCC offers educational opportunities leading to high-growth, high-demand jobs. The SCC Corporate & Community Education Division provides job and career enhancement, workforce development and personal enrichment courses and training programs. For more information, visit www.sccsc.edu.
.
