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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR WILLIAM L. CARPENTER OF GREENVILLE COUNTY UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE BOARD OF THE CONNECTOR 2000 ASSOCIATION AFTER SIXTEEN YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, it is altogether fitting and proper that the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina should pause in their deliberations to express gratitude to William (Bill) L. Carpenter, on the occasion of his retirement from the board of the Connector 2000 Association on March 15, 2017, and for his significant contributions to the betterment of lives in the Palmetto State; and
Whereas, born in Columbia, Bill Carpenter moved to Greenville when he was just four weeks old. In preparation for a career as an engineer, he attended the Naval Academy and spent five years at sea with the Navy after which he returned to the Academy and taught engineering for two years. In 1956, he moved back to Greenville and joined the J.E. Sirrine Company, an engineering firm that specialized in the design of industrial mills and plants; and
Whereas, eventually, Bill Carpenter became the chief executive officer of the company, and in 1987, he formed Sirrine Environmental Consultants, which he sold to Waste Management in 1990. He then served as Waste Management's Mexico country manager until retiring in December 1995. Over those thirty-nine years, he managed offices all over the world, including in Mexico City, Rome, São Paulo, and Riyadh; and
Whereas, Bill Carpenter is an original board member of the Connector 2000 Association and served as its chairman beginning in 2011. The association governs the Southern Connector toll road in Greenville, which opened on February 27, 2001; and
Whereas, built through the use of private funds, the Southern Connector has allowed travelers an alternative to Interstate 85, which often suffers from heavy traffic. Dubbed Interstate 185, this route grants easier access to the southern parts of Greenville, which supports greater economic development in that part of the county. In 2016, the Connector celebrated its fifteenth anniversary and surpassed seventy-five million transactions; and
Whereas, Bill Carpenter's commitment to the betterment of the community does not end with the Connector 2000 Association. His work with charitable organizations began almost by accident when a business matter led him to contact St. Francis Hospital. One thing led to another, and he became the chairman of the board. Since then, he has served on the boards of multiple non-profit organizations. He and his wife, Anne, formed the Carpenter/Maddrey Stabilization Fund to aid people in need of assistance during a transitory time in their lives; and
Whereas, over the years, Bill Carpenter has impacted many people's lives. He is known throughout Greenville for his wonderful sense of humor and his selfless spirit. He has been described as "the ultimate example of giving back to our community" and is someone who has "quietly, but graciously provided leadership, vision, and financial support across many organizations and initiatives for years"; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are grateful for the years of unparalleled dedication that Bill Carpenter has devoted to the Connector 2000 Association, Greenville County, and the State as a whole and wish him many years of enjoyment in his well-earned retirement. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize and honor William L. Carpenter of Greenville County upon the occasion of his retirement from the board of the Connector 2000 Association after sixteen years of exemplary service, and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to William L. Carpenter.
This web page was last updated on March 28, 2017 at 2:05 PM