BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of the BDPF are elected by the sitting board members. Members of the Board of Directors hold office for three years or until their successors have been qualified and elected. Board Members are elected to specific seats with predetermined expiration dates. Seats shall be divided into three classes with one-third of the seat terms expiring each year over a three-year cycle.
The current Board Members are:
Marguirite De Laine, Board Chairperson
Marguirite De Laine is a native of Clarendon County, SC. She holds a B.A. degree in English from Allen University and has done graduate studies at the University of South Carolina and The Citadel. She earned a certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from the Non-Profit Leadership Institute at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC. She also received a certificate from the Cities in Schools Program, an after-school tutorial program from Dorchester County, SC, District Two. She was a highly respected high school English teacher and middle school Language Arts teacher in the South Carolina and North Carolina public school systems for over thirty-five years. Ms. De Laine has been an active volunteer in many organizations including the Boy Scouts of America, the American Red Cross, the PTA Board of Alston Middle School in Summerville, SC, and many organizations in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Ms. De Laine resides in Manning, SC.
Shirley Oliver Mitchell
Shirley Oliver Mitchell is a native of Philadelphia, PA and her family moved to Clarendon County, SC when she was in the sixth grade. She is a graduate of Scott’s Branch High School in Summerton, SC. As a military wife, Mrs. Mitchell has lived in various parts of the United States. Ms. Mitchell has 15 years of experience selling and marketing Mary Kay and Avon cosmetic products. She is the mother of three children and two grandchildren. She is a volunteer at the historic Liberty Hill A.M.E. Church.
She resides in Davis Station, South Carolina, and is self-employed.
Celeste D. Boykin, Board Vice-Chairperson
Celeste Boykin was born in Clarendon County, SC, and grew up in Lancaster County, SC. She has a B.S. in Plant Sciences from Clemson University in Clemson, SC, and an M.A. in International Relations from the American University in Washington, DC. She spent 29 years with DuPont starting her career as a Sales Representative in the company’s Agricultural Products business and finishing her career as a Senior Manager in the company’s Government Affairs office in Washington, DC. She now has a consulting business and works on educational legislation on behalf of Clemson University.
Ms. Boykin and her spouse reside in Brandywine, MD.
Thomas M. Bradford, Jr.
Thomas Bradford is a native of Williamsburg County, S.C. He and several of his family members were the first African-Americans to attend Kingstree High School in Kingstree, SC in 1965. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in Music and a B.S. in Electrical/Computer Engineering. He went on to earn an M.S. in Computer Engineering also from the University of South Carolina. He served four years on active duty for the United States Army. He spent a total of thirty years combined serving in the Active Army, Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard. He recently retired from Lexington School District 1 in Lexington, SC as a Systems Analyst. Mr. Bradford and his wife, the former Sonja Smith, are the parents of three children and one grandchild.
Mr. Bradford resides with his wife in Columbia, SC.
F. Roosevelt Gilliam III, MD
F. Roosevelt Gilliam III, MD, FACP, FACC, FHRS, is a cardiologist/electrophysiologist with Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group and a clinical professor of medicine at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He received his medical degree from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and completed residency training in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiovascular diseases with additional training in electrophysiology at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Gilliam has received numerous professional honors and awards and is published in several peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Gilliam and his wife reside in Hopkins, SC.
Wayne D. Stewart
Wayne D. Stewart is the Assistant Principal of Instruction, API at SCORE Academy in Wake County, NC. A native of Summerville, SC, he received his degree in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University and his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. Mr. Stewart is also a coach who has trained young men and women in regional and state championships. He instills in those athletes the same values as those he teaches in the classroom – the importance of hard work, goal setting, determination, perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and maintaining focus along the way. Mr. Stewart has served as an At-Risk Counselor in Johnston County, NC.
Mr. Stewart owns a commercial cleaning business, which he has managed for over 20 years. He resides in Wendell, NC with his wife and three children.
Lanitra N. Bennett
Lanitra Bennett is a native of Clarendon County, SC. She is a graduate of Scott’s Branch High School in Summerton, SC. She holds a BS in Business Administration and a minor in Psychology from The University of South Carolina Upstate. She has worked in the education system for eight years and has worn many hats. She’s been a math instructor, an English instructor, and a math interventionist. She currently owns a mobile tutoring business in Clarendon County. Ms. Bennett is known as a business trailblazer, a motivational speaker and a pillar of her community.
Ms. Bennett resides in Summerton, SC.
Darreyl R. Walker
Darreyl R. Walker was born in Manning, SC and has been a lifelong resident of Clarendon County. He attended public schools in Manning and graduated from Manning High School. He served his community by working as a law enforcement officer for almost thirty years. He also worked at Trimaco Manufacturing in Manning where he managed the small package shipping department. Mr. Walker is married to Margaret Adams Walker. They have two sons, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. His many years of work experience and volunteer leadership roles has led him to sincerely believe that everyone can contribute to bridging the gap(s) between the haves and the have nots if everyone shares their knowledge and talents.
Mr. Walker resides with his wife in Manning, SC.
Clayton B. Pack
Clayton B. Pack is a native and lifelong resident of Clarendon County. After graduating from Manning High School, he began his career with Georgia Pacific. Early in his career he became a lumber grader. His work helped to ensure that the company met customer needs by providing the appropriate products.
In 1998, Mr. Pack began his venture into entrepreneurship. His company, GNP of Manning LLC, is located in Manning. In 2004, he was first elected to serve on the Manning City Council representing District 1. As a council member he works to manage the county’s resources in order to provide the best services possible to the town’s citizens. He has served on the council continuously since that time.
Mr. Pack has a variety of interests. He is especially interested in serving his community and helping to drive growth initiatives that will help the youth and others in the community to thrive.
Mr. Pack resides in Manning, SC. He has three children and seven grandchildren.
Matt Grayson
Hayes Baker is a native of Sumter County, SC. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Sumter. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and