Greenwood SC Chamber Announces Executive Leadership Transition Plan

David Dougherty, Interim President & CEO

Sara Sears, Chairman of the Board of Directors

The Greenwood SC Chamber of Commerce announced Monday an Executive Leadership Transition Plan as the Chamber prepares for new leadership in the coming months.  ​

“For over 105 years, the Greenwood SC Chamber has been a leading voice for business,” said Sara Sears, Chair of the Greenwood SC Chamber Board of Directors. “Our tradition of leadership and excellence is based on a strong foundation of outstanding volunteer leadership and experienced Chamber professionals who work together every day to plan for the future and keep Greenwood moving forward.” 

“The Board wanted to put in place a plan to provide a seamless transition to the next Chamber executive who will lead the organization on a daily basis,” said Sears.  According to Sears, David Dougherty, the Chamber’s Vice President of Investor Relations, will assume the position of Interim President & CEO on June 1st.  Long-time President & CEO Angelle LaBorde announced her resignation last month and plans to leave the position on June 30th.

“The Board has confidence in David’s ability to lead the staff during our executive search,” said Sears.  Dougherty will remain in this role throughout the search and will transition the new executive for his/her first month.

David Dougherty joined the Chamber staff in 2017, after retiring from a successful 47-year financial career in the banking industry.  In his most his recent tenure at Countybank, he was the Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager and was active in civic and community affairs.  “David is the consummate professional,” said David Tompkins, Countybank’s Greenwood Market Executive and former Chamber Chairman.  “He has strong relationships within the business community and can assist the new CEO in connecting with key business leadership,” he said.

David’s volunteer efforts led him to leadership positions within the Chamber.  He served on Countybank’s total resource campaign team, leading their team as a top producer in 2010.  He later led the Chamber’s campaign in 2014, exceeding the goal of $235,000.  He currently serves as the chairman of the board for the Greenwood Area Habitat for Humanity; serves on the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection and is a trustee of the church’s foundation.  He has been a member of the Board of Visitors at Erskine College, Lander University and MUSC.  Additionally, David has served in board leadership roles with the United Way of Greenwood & Abbeville Counties, Lakelands YMCA, The Museum and Greenwood Community Theatre.   

Sara commented that David will serve in this role until a new CEO is hired and onboarded.  After the new CEO is named, Dougherty will revert to his previous role as VP Investor Relations for the Chamber.

“The Chamber has retained the search firm of Swingbridge Consulting, LLC to conduct the search for the Chamber’s new executive,” said Jeff Smith, a Chamber board member and chair of the Search Committee.  “We are working through our proposed timeline and will announce to the community when the position has been posted,” he said.

Sears stated that she was pleased with the board’s actions to ensure a smooth transition.  “Our actions are guided by the belief that we represent the business community and we take the responsibility of choosing the next executive very seriously,” she said.
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“Our Executive Leadership Transition Plan is well underway.  We’ll continue to provide the community with progress reports,” she said.