Spartanburg Methodist College Names New Members to Board
Three new members joined the Board of Trustees for Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC) following approval at the South Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Joining the Board are L. Grant Close III, Betty Montgomery, and Ashley Williams.
“We look forward to welcoming our new trustees. We’re excited to add their 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.”
The new trustees will each serve a three-year term beginning on July 1. They will join the Board for the next meeting in October.
“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.”
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 7th 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.