Greenville Technical College Area Commission
As the governing body of the college, the Greenville Technical College Area Commission is responsible for development and operation of Greenville Technical College in accordance with Act 743 of 1962 as last amended by Act 49 of 2015 and the standards set forth by the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education.
The Greenville Technical College Area Commission consists of 12 voting members appointed by the Legislative Delegation with recommendations from the Greenville County Council. All members serve four-year terms with 6 of the seats designated by House District and 6 at-large members. One at-large appointment must be nominated from the Greenville County School Board and one from the Workforce Investment Board.
Area Commission Members
Paul O. Batson, III
Serving since 1998
Paul O. Batson, III, is an accountant and owner of Batson Accounting & Tax, P.A. He serves as a member of the Finance Committee and the Audit Committee and is also a board member for the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
Thomas R. Britt, Jr.
Serving since 2023
Thomas “Tom” R. Britt, Jr. is president of the Bank of Travelers Rest and has been part of the banking and finance industry since 1983. He serves on the Audit Committee and the Building and Grounds Committee.
Jo Watson Hackl
Serving since 2015
Jo Watson Hackl, a corporate attorney with Wyche, P.A., is vice chair of the Area Commission, chair of the Performance and Evaluation Committee, and a member of the Marketing, Recruiting & Enrollment Committee.
S. Hunter Howard, Jr.
Serving since 2015
S. Hunter Howard, Jr. is the owner and CEO of The Springs in Simpsonville. He serves as secretary for the Area Commission, chairs the Audit Committee, and is a member of the Executive Committee and the Finance Committee.
Dean Jones
Serving since 2010
Dean Jones is executive director for the Greenville County Workforce Investment Board and serves as chair of the Education and Training Review Committee as well as a member of the Marketing, Recruiting & Enrollment Committee.
Ray Lattimore
Serving since 2011
Ray Lattimore is the founder and president of Marketplace Professional Staffing. He serves as chair for the Area Commission and is also chair of the Executive Committee.
Ray Martin
Serving since 2010
Ray Martin is retired from the real estate and insurance professions. He serves as chair of the Marketing, Recruiting & Enrollment Committee and is a member of the Education and Training Review Committee as well as the Building and Grounds Committee.
Dr. Burke Royster
Serving since 2012
Burke Royster is the superintendent of education for Greenville County Schools and serves as an ex-officio member of the Area Commission. He is a member of the Performance and Evaluation Committee and the Education and Training Review Committee.
Coleman Shouse
Serving since 2009
Coleman Shouse is a retired home builder and land developer. He serves as a member of the Building and Grounds Committee and the Performance and Evaluation Committee. In addition, he serves as a board member for the South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners.
Keith R. Smith
Serving since 2015
Keith R. Smith has been a home builder since 1969 and a realtor since 1972. He chairs the Building and Grounds Committee and is a member of the Education and Training Review Committee.
Kenneth Southerlin
Serving since 2010
Kenneth Southerlin is retired from Greenville County Schools after a 35-year career. He serves as treasurer of this board and is chair of the Finance Committee as well as a member of the Executive Committee and the Marketing, Recruiting & Enrollment Committee.
David Stafford
Serving since 2009
David Stafford retired in 2022 as executive vice president, personnel and chief human resources officer for Michelin North America, Inc. He serves as a member of the Building and Grounds Committee and the Finance Committee.