Ronnie L. Booth, Ph.D. - Retired,

Tri-County Technical College

 

Dr. Booth joined Tri-County Technical College as its third president in July, 2003. His vision is for Tri-County Technical College to become a role model in community college education through dedication to high standards, a nurturing environment, community alliances, and innovative leadership.

 

During his ten years at Tri-County, Dr. Booth has launched three community campuses in Anderson, Easley, and Seneca, two

of which include QuickJobs Development Centers for workforce and industry training. He also opened the Anderson-Oconee-Pickens Economic Development Center on the Pendleton Campus, a one-of-a-kind facility to train workers for new and expanding industries. In addition, he helped develop several important new initiatives, including the Bridge to Clemson

program with Clemson University and the Connect to College program for high school drop-outs.

 

A native of Aiken, South Carolina, Dr. Booth came to Tri-County from Gainesville College in Gainesville, Georgia, where he

served as vice president for external programs. He previously held positions at Aiken Technical College as director of financial aid and dean of students. He also served as assistant dean of the School of Education for External Programs, associate professor of Education, vice president for Student Affairs and Continuing Education, and vice president of Administrative Services at Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia. At Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, he served as director of Admissions and Enrollment Management and Faculty Associate. He also has held various staff positions in financial aid at the University of South Carolina, Clemson University, and Columbia International University in South Carolina. Before entering the field of higher education, he worked as an assistant construction liaison for E.I. Dupont de Nemours and Company, Aiken, SC.

 

Dr. Booth holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, a master's in Education in Student Personnel

Services, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policies from the University of South Carolina. He also holds a

Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and was awarded an honorary doctorate of Humanities from Clemson University.

 

His public service and professional activities include the AACC Board of Directors; the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College Board of Trustees; vice chair/treasurer of the Upstate Alliance Board; AACC Commission on Economic and Workforce Development; president of the Community Colleges of Appalachia Board; Anderson County Economic Development Board; Anderson Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; Alliance Pickens Board; WorkLink (Pendleton Workforce Investment Act) Board; the Collins Home & Family Ministries Advisory Board; the Oconee Economic Development Commission; Pendleton Regional Education Center Advisory Board; President's Advisory Board at Clemson University; Leadership South Carolina Board of Trustees; SENIOR Solutions Board; and the Tamassee DAR School Board.

 

He is married to Sara Booth and they have two adult daughters, Ashley and Erin, both Clemson University graduates. They

make their home in Clemson, SC.

 

TCTC.edu

864.646.1500

 

 

Nancy Hedrick, Retired

 

Nancy Hedrick changed careers in 1979 by enrolling at Western Carolina University in Systems Analysis and Design through the School of Business.   This program laid the foundation for her future in the software and technology industry.

She then went to work for a small start-up technology company in 1981.   This company eventually specialized in developing software for the public sector industry, particularly financial management software for school districts and city and county governments.    In 1989, Nancy had an opportunity to acquire the company from its prior owner and Computer Software Innovations (CSI) was founded.

 

From 1989 until 1999, CSI expanded its presence in the public sector software market in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.   In 1999, CSI began also offering technology solutions to this same market.   These technology solutions included IP telephony, classroom technology (including interactive whiteboards), network security and network integration services.   The CSI financial management software represented the largest market share of any software company in the southeastern US.  Over the next few years, CSI grew from 25 employees in 1999 to 250 employees in 2012.

 

In the fall of 2012, CSI was acquired by the Harris Computing division of Constellation Software.   Nancy retired from CSI as part of the transition.   The CSI financial management software, Smart Fusion, is now the flagship product for Harris Computing.  Although Nancy has stepped away from the day-to-day operations of CSI, the software solutions live on.  And the technology division of CSI also transitioned into a new organization, Encore Technology Group.

 

Education and Employment

1973 – Bachelor of Science, University of Missouri

1981 – Systems Analysis and Design, Western Carolina University

1981 – 1989  Software Developer and Support Specialist for Data Management, Inc.

1989 – 2012 President/CEO of Computer Software Innovations, Inc. (CSI).

 

She also is serving (or has served) on the boards for:

CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) (2010 – 2012)

PRECAB (Pendleton Regional Education Center Advisory Board) (2007 to present)

Tri-County Technical College Foundation Board (2012 to present)

 

 

Dr. Danny Merck

The School District of Pickens County Superintendent

 

Dr. Merck has over 23 years' experience as an educator in South Carolina, most recently serving as the Principal of Daniel High School.  Dr. Merck also has experience as a teacher, coach, and assistant principal. Prior to his time at Daniel High, Dr. Merck served as the district’s Assistant Superintendent of Administration, overseeing principals, finance, alternative education, food service and Student Services.  Dr. Merck received a B.A. in Business Economics from Wofford College, his teaching certification from Southern Wesleyan University, an M.S.S. in Sports Management from the U.S. Sports Academy, and Ed. S. in Elementary Administration and Secondary Administration from Converse College, and Ed. D. in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, and a Superintendent Certification from Clemson University.

 

Dr. Merck has been married for 18 years to Suzanne Merck. He and his wife have four children who attend school in Pickens County.

 

Educational and Professional Experience

 

Appointed to the Education Oversight Committee for a 4 year term on July 1, 2010

Administrative Experience

 

2012 - 2014   DW Daniel High School Principal

2011 – 2012  School District Pickens County -  Asst. Superintendent for Administration

2009 – 2011  Easley High School Principal

2005 – 2009  Pendleton High School Principal

2000 – 2005  Easley High School Assistant Principal

 

Teaching Experience

1994 – 2000  Liberty High School Teacher

1993 – 1994  Gettys Middle School Teacher

1991 – 1993  Simpson Academy Teacher

 

Education

2007 – 2009 Clemson University Clemson, SC - Superintendent Certification

2003 – 2005 Nova Southeastern University   Miami, FL

                        Ed.D., Educational Leadership

1997 – 1999 Converse College   Spartanburg, SC

                        Ed. S., Secondary Administration,

                         Elementary Administration

1994 - 1996  U.S. Sports Academy   Daphne, AL

                        M.S.S. - Sport Management

1990 - 1991  Southern Wesleyan University   Central, SC

                        Teacher Certification - Social Studies

1985 - 1989  Wofford College   Spartanburg, SC

                        B.A., Business Economics

 

Pickens.SchoolFusion.us

864.397.1000

 

 

 

Todd Walker

President of Baptist Easley Hospital

 

Todd is originally from Newberry, SC and is 2003 graduate of Newberry College. He received his Masters in Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2005. From there he spent 9 years at Oconee Memorial Hospital in a variety of roles ranging from performance improvement, strategic planning and operations. He then served for two years as Director of Campus Operations at Laurens County Memorial Hospital. Since October 2016, he has served as Campus President of Baptist Easley Hospital. He currently serves on the boards of the Easley Chamber of Commerce and Cancer Association of Pickens County along with active membership in Easley Rotary.

Todd and his wife Lisa of 11 years have three children; Avery, Warren and Matthew. They currently reside in Easley and enjoy being in the Upstate. While away from work their time is spent on their children’s activities and cheering on the Tigers.

 

 

BaptistEasley.org

864.442.8000