Rotary Club of Lake Murray-Irmo welcomed Lee Bussell

IRMO, SC – October 3, 2012 – The guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Lake Murray-Irmo meeting for the October 3, 2012 was Lee Bussell, incoming chairman of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce board of directors for 2012-2013.  During his term, Bussell’s major goal is to use the Chamber as a catalyst in the community to create and expand the job market.  Lee discussed the proposed Richland County penny tax referendum which will be on the November ballot.  He said that the proposed tax would be used for roads, safety and buses.  If it passes there will be a 15 person appointed oversight committee; seven appointed by county council and eight appointed by the municipalities within the county.

Bussell has been chairman and CEO of Chernoff Newman since its founding in 2003, the result of a merger between Newman Saylor & Gregory and Chernoff Silver.  A graduate of the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism, he is recognized nationally for his expertise in corporate communications, issue management and marketing of high growth technology start-ups.  He has remained active with the university, serving for two years as the alumni association president as well as two years on the board of trustees.

Bussell has always been very active in Columbia’s and the state’s business communities, recently completing a term as chairman of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the South Carolina Business Alliance for Transportation.  He has served on several advisory boards and committees including six terms on the executive committee for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, chairman for the partnership board of the University of South Carolina’s College of Mass Communications and the board of the Navigating from Good to Great Foundation.