Hartsville Chamber welcomes newest board members
In January, Kelly Benton and Sue Shugart will be joining the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. They will be filling the vacancies left by John Griggs and Tim Browne who have fulfilled their terms. We are grateful to John and Tim for their years of dedicated leadership and service to the Chamber’s board.
Kelly Benton
Kelly Benton, State Farm
Kelly Benton, a Coker College graduate, earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in 2013 studying Business Administration and Management. She began her career with the Macon Hunter State Farm Agency, gaining unparalleled experience in the insurance industry, while also establishing herself as a respected Insurance Agent.
Currently working as an Insurance Agent, Kelly is widely known for her dedicated customer service by offering quality Insurance and Financial Services through State Farm to improve the lives of her customers and protecting their dreams.
Kelly further explains “I believe that my interpersonal skills will give me the confidence to bring a great sense of Leadership to the Board of Directors. I will view my position on the board as I view my daily job duties- to give it 110% and go above and beyond what is necessary to ensure my tasks are done correctly. I look forward to strengthening my bond with the chamber and becoming even more involved in the community.”
While Insurance is her primary job function by day, Kelly also enjoys spending time with her husband, Corey Benton and her two children Cayson and Lillian Benton. Kelly also volunteers her time as Lead Ambassador for the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, is a member of Hartsville Kiwanis and the Hartsville Young Professionals where she will be serving as Vice President beginning in January 2018. Kelly is currently enrolled in the Leadership Hartsville Program to gain more experience in becoming a successful 360 Degree Leader.
Sue Shugart, Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center
Sue Shugart, FACHE, is Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville, SC.
Sue has worked in hospital leadership roles for 21 years, having previously served as Chief Administrative Officer at Baptist Easley Hospital in Easley, SC, and as Chief Operating Officer for Clarendon Health System in Manning, SC.
Sue earned her bachelor’s degree from Furman University and her master’s degree from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. She is a Class of 2000 graduate of Leadership South Carolina. Sue is board-certified in healthcare management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and served on the national Council of Regents as Regent representing South Carolina.
Sue explains, “It is a great honor to join the Greater Hartsville Chamber Board! I am passionate about building strong, viable hospitals in smaller communities; it is what I have dedicated the past 22 years of my career doing. I have witnessed first hand the difference that a strong community hospital makes not just to the physical health of a community but also to the socio-economic health as well.”
On a personal note, she and her husband, Steve, are small town South Carolina people. She grew up in Abbeville and he in Chester, and they have lived in Lancaster, Manning, Easley and now Hartsville. They tell everyone that Hartsville is a hidden gem. They are new homeowners on College Avenue and are delighted to support the continued growth and development of our great community.
