The Chamber Channel

5 Questions With Garrett Simons, Junior Leadership and Making Birthdays Bright

Garrett Simons is an outstanding rising Hilton Head High School senior who is giving back to the community in more ways than one. He recently started Making Birthdays Bright, which helps locals celebrate their birthdays. We chatted with him about why he developed the program and his recent experience in the chamber’s Junior Leadership Program. 

5 Questions With Glen Umberger, Town of Bluffton Historic Preservationist

There's so much rich history in Bluffton, and the National Park Service has recently put two Bluffton landmarks on the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network. We sat down with the Town of Bluffton’s Historic Preservationist Glen Umberger to talk about the significance of this designation for the Garvin-Garvey House and Historic Campbell Chapel AME Church.

5 Questions With Ken Weisner: owner and Chief Play Officer at the Beach Play Company

We all need to have a little fun. It helps us build relationships with the people who we love and live with. We sat down with Ken Weisner, the owner and Chief Play Officer at the Beach Play Company to talk about how fun can help us build relationships with our colleagues and community. 

5 Questions With Tom Henz, VP of Small Business & Public Policy

Workforce is at the top of the list when it comes to business challenges in the Lowcountry. Your chamber’s committees are hard at work to find creative solutions to help fill those pipelines and connect employers with interns, retirees, veterans, and adults with disabilities. We sat down with our Vice President of Public Policy Tom Henz to check in on the committees’ progress.

5 Questions With Malika Pryor, International African American Museum

With over 20 years in the making, the International African American Museum is opening this month on Charleston's historic Gadsden's Wharf. Ahead of this weekend's local Juneteenth celebrations, we sat down with the museum's Chief Engagement and Learning Officer Malika Pryor to talk about its significance and impact.

PowerHour Tele-Town Hall - June 7th, 2023

Tune into Power Hour, where you can get unfiltered information about hot topics in our community straight from the source. Speakers include:

• Brad Mole, CommunityWorks Regional Program Director, on the Beaufort-Jasper Regional Housing Trust.
• Dr. Frank Rodriguez, Beaufort County Schools Superintendent, on the 2022-2023 school year recap.
• Paul Ouimet, DestinationNEXT & MMGY NextFactor CEO, on balance and the future of tourism.

5 Questions With Jean Beck, Hilton Head Realtors Association

The Hilton Head Realtors Association is celebrating its 50th year in the Lowcountry. We sat down with CEO Jean Beck to talk about the legacy of the organization and its impact on the community.

5 Questions With Jay Walea, Palmetto Bluff Conservancy

It all begins with the land. Palmetto Bluff has a decades-old commitment to its land and water. We sat down with Palmetto Bluff Conservancy Executive Director Jay Walea to talk about their tradition of conservation and stewardship.

5 Questions With Operation Patriots FOB

It's a sobering statistic ... 22 veterans succumb to suicide every day in the United States. There’s one organization in the Lowcountry that has dedicated its mission to helping veterans find a like-minded community. We sat down with Operation Patriots FOB founder JR Brown and board member Joe McNamara to talk about their mission and how the business community can get involved.

5 Questions With Lee Edwards, President & CEO of the Greenery

Their white trucks with the green logo are a mainstay around the Lowcountry. The Greenery is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and besides offering an array of landscaping services, they have entrenched themselves in the community.  We sat down with second-generation owner Lee Edwards to tell us about his family grew the Greenery and why it’s important to be involved locally, especially for small businesses.