A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE HELEN MUNNERLYN UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP SOUTH CAROLINA, TO COMMEND HER FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF DEDICATED SERVICE, AND TO WISH HER MUCH CONTINUED SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS TO COME.

 

Whereas, since 2004, Leadership South Carolina (LSC) has enjoyed the benefit of the dedication, experience, and leadership of its executive director, Helen Munnerlyn, who soon will retire after more than twenty years of distinguished service; and

 

Whereas, during Helen's time as executive director of Leadership South Carolina, the state's oldest and most respected leadership development organization, LSC has grown to new prominence. More than 80% of LSC alumni have served on at least one board or commission. Twenty-four graduates now serve in the General Assembly, forty-five serve on city, town, or county councils, and many others serve on public school boards or the boards of nonprofits, private schools, and faith-based organizations. Further, more than $600,000 has been donated to underserved communities by LSC Class Projects; and

 

Whereas, in carrying out her duties, Helen has accumulated more than thirty years of experience in leadership and public affairs. She worked for the South Carolina Department of Commerce for more than a decade managing communications for economic development, the South Carolina Film Office, South Carolina Public Railways, Community and Rural Development, the South Carolina Coordinating Council, and the department's Aeronautics Division. She was the department's primary spokeswoman during the administrations of former Governors Carroll Campbell, David Beasley, and Jim Hodges. Additionally, Helen planned numerous national and international development announcements for companies such as BMW, Siemens, Fuji Photo Film, Michelin, and Bridgestone-Firestone, and she handled media coverage of the historic visit of the emperor of Japan to South Carolina in 1994 and the opening of South Carolina trade offices in Munich and Hong Kong; and

 

Whereas, Helen moreover was a key member of Governor Mark Sanford's Management Accountability and Performance Commission (MAP) to reduce waste in state government. She created and operated the profit-making branch of the South Carolina Press Association, and she began her career working for the Associated Press in the international news agency's Columbia bureau; and

 

Whereas, in preparation for her career, Helen earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of South Carolina. In addition, she herself is a graduate of Leadership South Carolina, as well as of the South Carolina Economic Developers' School, Positive Management Leadership program, the Governor's EXCEL Leadership Institute, Leadership Columbia, and the Riley Institute Diversity Leaders Initiative Midlands I; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate, grateful for the legacy of consistent commitment and excellence Helen Munnerlyn has bestowed on the people of this great State, takes great pleasure in wishing her well as she enters retirement and trusts she will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Helen Munnerlyn upon the occasion of her retirement as executive director of Leadership South Carolina, commend her for more than two decades of dedicated service, and wish her much continued success and fulfillment in the years to come.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Helen Munnerlyn.

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