32 Local Professionals Graduate Leadership Grand Strand

Leadership Grand Strand (LGS), a program of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, celebrated the completion of its 46th class with a graduation ceremony on May 1, giving 32 professionals from across the Grand Strand certificates for completing the 10-month program.

The curriculum provided each graduate with broad-based leadership perspectives and firsthand experiences to familiarize them with the Grand Strand’s resources and service opportunities. The program, which began in August 2025, covered a variety of topics, including professional development, regional history, tourism and economic development, education, law enforcement, human services, government and politics, and the arts.

Each graduate completed 75 community project hours, including specific hours dedicated to a legacy project at Barnabas Horse Foundation, youth services, community enhancement and team projects recognizing distinguished alumni for the Ann DeBock Leadership Award.

The graduates of LGS Class XLVI are:

• Thomas Atchison, G3 Engineering & Surveying

• Shelby Cross Beal, Haden Toothman Law Group

• Richard Berry, BELFOR Property Restoration

• Wes Bilyeu, Greater Myrtle Beach Collaborative and Visit Myrtle Beach

• Kris Cala, The Wilderness Compass

• Sabina Channa, Stilbon Menswear by Icetime Luxe

• April Clark, Wells Fargo Advisors

• Jessica Curtis, Hampton Inn and Suites Myrtle Beach Oceanfront

• Megan DeStefano, Grand Strand Medical Center

• Jessica Durant, HTC

• Barrett Furtick, BELFOR Property Restoration

• Jessica Gregory, EdVenture Myrtle Beach

• Aaron Johnson, Horry Electric Cooperative

• Patty Kane, Byrne Media Group

• Matt Lake, Merrill Lynch/Bank of America

• Lauren Mazurkiewicz, United Bank

• Will Monckton, Southeastern Alliance Underwriters

• Izabela Niewinna, Hunter Quinn Homes

• Preslee Peeler, Conway Medical Center

• Dr. Kelly Perritt, Horry-Georgetown Technical College

• Mike Quinn, Myrtle Beach Police Dept.

• Gavin Scire, SkyWheel Myrtle Beach

• Jake Sexton, Myrtle Media Group

• Megan Skodras, At Your Service Plumbing + Heating + Air

• Baird Stewart, The Jackson Companies

• Thomas Vehige, 963 Co.

• Gabby White, Coastal Outdoor Advertising

• Katrena White, Coastal Grand Mall

• Richard Williams Jr., United Way of Horry County

• Audie Wise, Lockheed Martin Corp.

• Andy Wolfe, Grand Palms Resort

• Jessica Yourko, Santee Cooper