WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsExecutive director named for HGTC Foundation

Executive director named for HGTC Foundation

CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - Thomas C. "Buddy" Styers has been named the new executive director of the Horry-Georgetown Technical College Foundation. Styers began work on Nov. 30, 2009.

Styers also serves as the executive director of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority and previously served as senior project manager-development for The Market Common, Myrtle Beach, for McCaffery Interests, a Chicago-based real estate development firm that focuses on developing underutilized urban land and buildings into vital real estate centers that combine entertainment, residential office space and retail uses.

The HGTC Foundation functions separately from the College and generates additional needed funding for the college via major gifts, planned giving, endowments, donations and more. Styers will be responsible for managing and leading these efforts on behalf of the foundation's board of directors.

"We are fortunate to have Buddy in this role and know that he brings to the position years of effective, results-oriented leadership for the benefit of our area," said HGTC Foundation President Buzz Freeman. "His proven ability to build consensus, to think innovatively and to engender community support are key factors in his choice as executive director and key reasons why we're confident he'll help take our Foundation efforts to a whole new level of support for the College and positive impact on the community."

Styers has served in numerous volunteer positions in the community, including president of the Grand Strand Family YMCA, member of the board of trustees of First United Methodist Church in Myrtle Beach, and former vice chairman of the PARTNERS Economic Development Corporation. He is also a past president of the Myrtle Beach Rotary Club.

Styers served in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years, retiring in 1992 in the rank of Colonel. He and his wife, Penny, live in Myrtle Beach.

The HGTC Foundation was incorporated in 1978 as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Less than 3 percent of all contributions are used for annual operating expenses. More than 30 local business and community leaders serve on the Foundation's board of directors and oversee the management of all funds. During the past 25 years, more than 100 local volunteers have served on the board.

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