Mayor Benjamin, President Pastides and EngenuitySC board honor JoAnn Turnquist with 2016 Vision Award
December 14, 2016
EngenuitySC has honored JoAnn Turnquist, president and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation, with the organization’s 2016 Vision Award. Turnquist was presented with the award at a reception at the President’s House at the University of South Carolina, where USC President Dr. Harris Pastides and Columbia, S.C., Mayor Steve Benjamin – founding co-chairs of the EngenuitySC board – presided over the award ceremony with Meghan Hickman, executive director of the economic development nonprofit.
“For ten years now, EngenuitySC has recognized one individual in our community who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help advance Columbia’s regional competitiveness and embody the spirit of collaboration that EngenuitySC believes in so deeply,” noted Hickman. “Those are individuals we seek to honor through our annual Vision Award.”
“Central Carolina Community Foundation is focused on building community connections throughout our region because attached residents have pride in the place they call home and a positive outlook about its future,” said Turnquist. “It is very moving to be recognized by EngenuitySC, an organization committed to enhancing the Midlands’ competitiveness and prosperity. Our Foundation and EngenuitySC share a vision for our community and I am honored to receive this award.”
The Vision Award is presented annually by EngenuitySC’s board, many of whom were present for the recent award ceremony. Current and new board members include the following:
- Steve Hall, Chair & Executive Committee – Ovation Partners, LLC
- Councilman Paul Livingston, Chair-Elect & Executive Committee – Richland County Council
- Dr. Keith Shah, Past Chair & Executive Committee – FTI Consulting
- Mayor Steve Benjamin, Founding Co-Chair – The City of Columbia
- Dr. Harris Pastides, Founding Co-Chair – The University of South Carolina
- Lee Bussell – Chernoff Newman
- Councilman Todd Cullum – Lexington County Council
- Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine – Columbia City Council
- Bill & Lou Kennedy – Nephron Pharmaceuticals
- Bill Kirkland – The University of South Carolina
- Lasenta Lewis-Ellis – LLE Construction, LLC
- John Lumpkin
- Ted Nissen – First Community Bank
- Mayor Elise Partin, City of Cayce
- Dr. Ron Rhames, Midlands Technical College
- Chairman Torrey Rush, Richland County Council
“JoAnn Turnquist is one of the most selfless, dedicated and positive servant-leaders this community has the privilege of calling our own,” Hickman commented. “She is a tireless champion for the progress and potential of what the Midlands can be, and she is always, always willing to roll up her sleeves and do the hard work to get us there. This region is a more connected and prosperous place because of her vision and leadership.”
About EngenuitySC
Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., EngenuitySC is an economic development nonprofit focused on enhancing our region’s competitiveness and prosperity. In partnership with business, government, education and community leaders, EngenuitySC specializes in regional collaboration and project management, the activation of local industry clusters and regional research, analysis and marketing. For more information, visit http://www.engenuitysc.com/.
