Greenville Chamber’s “Dream Team” of the 1990s reunites to celebrate golden era of growth

Twenty former leaders of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce came together last week at Endeavor Greenville for a Golden Era Reunion. The gathering honored the team whose vision and collaboration fueled Greenville’s transformation in the 1990s.

Known as the Chamber’s “Dream Team,” this group of professionals—and many others who couldn’t attend—helped attract more than $6 billion in capital investment and bring over 40,000 jobs to the Greenville area during that pivotal decade.

At the helm of many of these milestone announcements were Jerry Howard, then head of Economic Development, and Dick Blouse, Chamber President and CEO (both pictured). Also, former key player Chamber VP Richard Kadzis attended—traveling from Las Cruces NM. Their leadership, alongside a committed team including Tammy Propst, Kevine Landmesser, Heidi Cooney, Tonya Crist and Angela Lockman, helped establish Greenville as one of the Southeast’s most dynamic communities. Also, former Greenville City Economic Development Leader Nancy Whitworth attended.

While not all could be present, those who attended spent the evening smiling, laughing, and reminiscing about the days when bold ideas and a shared mission laid the foundation for today’s thriving Greenville.

“These talented people believed in our city’s vision, leveraging a regional economic development strategy for success,” said Holly Rollins, who was VP of Communications at the time and then formed the Upstate’s first regional economic development organization-the Upstate Alliance-in 2000. “They built not only economic opportunity, but also a work family and culture that continues to shape Greenville’s success story.”

The reunion, sponsored by alums Jerry Howard, Holly Rollins, Tina Zwolinski, Tonya Crist and Shannon Wilbanks, highlighted how teamwork, perseverance and community spirit in the 1990s created the groundwork for the Greenville we celebrate today.