(Photo Courtesy of Leadership Grand Strand)

Leadership Grand Strand (LGS), a professional development program of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, has announced 34 local professionals have graduated from its 45th class on May 2, 2025.

“It’s a true honor to pass along diplomas to this year’s class of Leadership Grand Strand as each participant excelled at the ten-month program and now possess enhanced skills to be more effective leaders in our community,” said LGS Executive Director Shannon H. Furtick.

The curriculum provided each graduate with advanced leadership training from Hop2It Consulting’s Dr. Dan and Dr. Heather Hoppe, along with behind-the-scenes tours of local institutions such as the Myrtle Beach Police Department, Horry County Solid Waste Authority, Horry County Emergency Management, Horry County Schools, Myrtle Beach International Airport and more.

Each graduate completed 75 community project hours, including specific hours dedicated to youth and individuals with disabilities, community development and revitalization, a team project creating an outdoor space at Ability Beyond Barriers, and recognition of four local citizens nominated for the Ann DeBock Leadership Award.

The graduates of LGS Class 45 are:

Amanda Bailey, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Alexis Barnhill, Coastal Carolina University

Trevor Bigham, Connect Kids LLC

Haywood Brandon, ISI Elite Training

Howard Bromberg, Vines Restoration - Plumbing - HVAC

Holland Carley, Carolina Strand Underwriters

Shannon Carroca, Conway National Bank

Brandye Clark, HTC

Nick DeStefano, McLeod Health

Frances Drew, McLeod Health

Amy Duval, Pure Barre Murrells Inlet

Wendy Evans, BlueCross BlueShield

Melissa Fowble, First Reliance Bank

Jenni Lyn Gardner, Ocean View Baptist Church

Nick Garrett, SkyWheel Myrtle Beach

Devin Gomez, Big Air Trampoline Park

Joe Heyd, Heyd & Company LLC

Katie Hole, KingOne Properties International

Karen Johnson, City of Myrtle Beach Fire Department

Nick Kenworthy, Tidewater Mortgage Services Inc.

Kathryn Lane, K. Lane Strategies

Marty McCall, Coast RTA

Alex McKoy, Santee Cooper

Clare McLaurin, Smith Sapp CPAs

Lexy Millen, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

Mackenzie Phillips, Tanger

Diane F. Sanders, Coastal Carolina University

James Schlueter, Grand Palms Resort

Julianne Scott, Monteith Construction

Jolene Selwa, Crescent Realty LLC

Lori Smith, Coastal Carolina National Bank

Teresa Taylor, Ocean Lakes Family Campground - The Jackson Companies

Danielle Walters, New Directions of Horry County

Matthew Yelle, Palmetto Protection Films LLC

Those interested in learning more about LGS can visit LeadershipGrandStrand.com. The deadline to submit an application to participate in the 46th LGS class is June 30, 2025.