Advancement: New Trustees Join SMC’s Board

Six new faces have joined the Spartanburg Methodist College Board of Trustees over the past two years, adding their experience and expertise to the oversight body.

Each summer at the South Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, SMC presents candidates to join the Board based on openings or departures. The Conference delegates vote on the candidates, who then join the board on July 1 to begin their three-year terms.

At this year’s Conference, L. Grant Close III, Betty Montgomery, and Ashley Williams were approved to join the Board. They join Clint Settle ‘04, Marcos Gomez, and Michael Allen as the newest Trustees.

“We look forward to welcoming our new trustees each year. It's exciting to add their new experience and viewpoints to our work on behalf of the College,” said John Moore, chairman of the SMC Board of Trustees. “We appreciate their commitment to SMC’s future.”

Close is an employment and labor attorney and Shareholder with Maynard Nexsen in Spartanburg and Greenville. He focuses on representing employers in litigation and compliance matters. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wofford College and his law degree from the Charleston School of Law in its inaugural class. Professionally, Close is a member of the American and South Carolina Bar Associations, Blue Key National Honor Society, and a graduate of Leadership Spartanburg. He has also served on several non-profit boards, in leadership positions in his church, and coached numerous youth sports teams in Spartanburg.

Montgomery is a local philanthropist and education supporter with long family ties to SMC. She has committed herself to the Spartanburg area, having served as chair of the Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg, chair of the Noble Tree Foundation, and on the boards of the Spartanburg County Foundation, the Milliken Foundation, and Wofford and Converse Colleges. She earned her bachelor’s degree in comprehensive science from Converse College (now University).

Williams lives in Spartanburg. She has been employed with Spartanburg County since 2006. She currently serves as the Register of Deeds. Williams also served as a Municipal Judge for the Town of Jonesville and the City of Greer and as an Associate Judge for the 7^th Judicial Circuit Drug Court Program. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Limestone College. Williams is a member of the Christmas In Action Board of Directors. She is a graduate of One Spartanburg Inc’s Leadership Spartanburg program and served as a mentor for Mentor Upstate.

Settle, of Spartanburg, is a project engineer with Universal Civil Construction. He is an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent. Settle is a graduate of SMC’s associate degree program and served as student body president during his time at the school.

Gomez, of Spartanburg, is the founder and owner of Dellfrio, Inc., a commercial refrigeration importer and logistics provider. He serves on the board of the Cleveland Opportunity Foundation and is a member of the Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.

Allen, of Greenville, is the CEO and architect for MAO architecture. He has served on numerous boards and councils, including currently serving on the Greenville Community Remembrance Project Monument Committee and the State Chamber of Commerce Diversity Council.

“We work very closely with our Board to shape the future of SMC for the benefit of our students, faculty, and staff,” said SMC President Scott Cochran. “I'm excited to welcome the new trustees and tap into their experience and expertise to continue that work.”

The Trustees meet three times per year and provide oversight and direction for the school’s future. They consider any major initiatives or policies the school is considering and advise administrators on where they think the College should go.