VisionGreenwood establishes Lakelands Emerging Technology Council to help region prepare for the future

VisionGreenwood, an established community partner dedicated to making Greenwood the best place in which to live, work and raise a family, announces the establishment of the Lakelands Emerging Technology Council (LETC). Comprised of a technology savvy group of local leaders, the LETC will provide guidance and expertise for addressing the emerging, evolving, and exponential technologies that will bring opportunities to the Lakelands region.

The mission of the LETC is to drive technological initiatives that will allow the Lakelands region to thrive in an uncertain and rapidly changing future. Additionally, the LETC believes that every industry must embrace new and emerging technologies to support a prosperous Lakelands community. The LETC unites the region’s leaders and empowers businesses, stakeholders, entrepreneurs and community members to achieve the future vision and strategic goals of the region.

“Recognizing that technology is ever-changing, the newly established Lakelands Emerging Technology Council will help connect, advise and advocate for technological advancements in the Lakelands region. This will be especially beneficial to our rural communities as we lay the framework for future success,” said Kay Self, Executive Director for VisionGreenwood.

The Lakelands Emerging Technology Council, which has already met twice, will continue to collaborate on a regular basis. LETC members include:

• Brandon Smith, Mayor of Greenwood and Chairman, VisionGreenwood
• Kay Self, Executive Director, VisionGreenwood
• Charles Angel, President, Due West Robotics & Software Developer for Greenwood Genetic Center
• Les Brown, M.Ed., Director of Information Technology, Self Regional Healthcare
• Dennis Fassuliotis, South Carolina Blockchain, Inc.
• Abdallah Haddad, Chief Information & Technology Officer, Lander University
• John R. McElligott, CEO, York Exponential
• Matt Wiggins, Dean – Workforce Innovation Division, Piedmont Technical College

About Vision Greenwood
VisionGreenwood is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with deep roots in the Greenwood community. Throughout the past 20 years, VisionGreenwood (formerly known as the Foundation for a Greater Greenwood County, Inc.) has invested over $2.9 million into the community by supporting collaborative community development initiatives that provide economic prosperity and enhance the growth and success of Greenwood. The Foundation was originally created to support the former Greenwood Partnership Alliance’s charitable operations with a focus on community and workforce development. The Foundation became a stand-alone organization in 2020 and was rebranded as VisionGreenwood in 2021. By intent and design, VisionGreenwood continues to be a community partner that is focused on Greenwood’s future, economic growth and development, and quality of life. Learn more at www.visiongreenwood.org.

Photo caption:
Front Row (L to R): Dennis Fassuliotis, Kay Self, Les Brown, John McElligott, and Abdallah Haddad.
Back Row: Brandon Smith, Charles Angel and Matt Wiggins.