Jim Bennett
The field of education has been a lifelong passion for me. I graduated with an undergraduate degree in Secondary
Education-History, a master’s degree in History Education, a doctorate in Education and later pursued post-graduate study in the field of Cultural Engagement. I taught social studies in a high school before accepting a position at a university where I served for almost 20 years in a variety of faculty and administrative roles. For the last 15 years, I have been able to lead seminars at dozens of state, regional, and national educator conventions which continually deepened my awareness of current educational trends. My view of the world has also been enlarged through travel to six continents and over forty countries to teach in universities, lead historical study tours, develop ESL partnerships, conduct ethnological research, and establish cultural immersion programs. I believe the most exciting part about the school environment is the ability to mentor the next generation and equip them with the passion and skills they will need to succeed in life. My wife Tami and I have four children and live in Taylors. Our oldest, Tori, is currently a 9th grader at GMC. One of the things that first drew us to GMC was the community atmosphere where people and their needs are a priority and it would be a privilege to continue serving the GMC community with that goal in mind.
Benjamin Buck
After receiving a B.A. and a M.Div. from Bob Jones University, I stayed at my alma mater to help develop a mentoring and leadership focus. I am passionate about building a solid platform of character in tomorrow’s leaders, and see Greer
Middle College as a tremendous opportunity for those leaders to better understand how they can serve. For nearly 4 years I have been a financial representative with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. As a financial representative,
I work with business owners and professionals helping them create a plan for securing their future and then offer guidance so that they may passionately pursue their dreams. My community involvement includes Greater Greer Rotary
Club, Greer Chamber of Commerce, Community Baptist Church of Greer, and Greer Middle College where I serve on the
Capital Campaign Committee and am finishing my first year of service.
I am thankful for my opportunity to serve and ask for your support in my continued service through the GMC board.
Cheryl Childers
Cheryl is the proud wife to Jeff of 17 years, and has 3 kids: Job (15 – currently attends GMC), Gabriella (14), and Elijah-
Luke (8). She and her family live in Greenville, SC.
Cheryl is passionate about having a role in the school her children attend. Cheryl holds a Bachelor's Degree in Graphic
Design, Photography and Psychology; and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Cheryl works as a Licensed Social Worker, fabric artist, educator, contributing author, Arthritis Advocate and Spokesperson, wife, and full-time mom.
Cheryl is the co-founder and 2011/2012 Race Coordinator for A Hero’s 5k and was a member of their Board of Directors for two years. Cheryl founded and currently leads the H.U.G.S. Quilt Ministry of North Hills Community Church
(hugsministry.com). Cheryl will represent Arthritis sufferers across the Upstate as she addresses the United States
Congress this April regarding funding for research in search of a cure for Arthritis. In early 2011 Cheryl received the
Commanders Award for Public Service, from the Department of the United States Army, given by Mark A. McAlister
Brigadier General, US Army Commanding. This award is the Fourth highest honor the United States Department of the
Army can bestow upon a civilian.

BJ Collins
GMC Volunteer duties 2012: Involved with finding volunteer judges for the Senior Project presentations in May.
Profession: I work as a Project Integrator for Hewlett Packard serving as a liaison between client and HP technical teams.
Additionally, I perform Contract Billing, Database Administration, IT support, and Administrative Assistant duties.
Education: Strayer University – Associates Degree in Database Technology
Greenville Tech – Previous Certified Professional Secretary
Greer High School – Graduated in 1991
As a child, I experienced firsthand the negative consequences of ineffective school administration. Due to personal experiences and passion for parental involvement in the public school system, I feel it is crucial to be involved in the betterment of our students. My daughter’s number was not selected during this year’s lottery; yet, my desire to serve the GMC board hasn’t diminished in the least. In just two PTA meetings I‘ve never felt more welcomed or experienced more openness to assistance in such a setting. I saw people committed to making a difference for students. The GMC parents and students have left a lasting and very positive impression on me.
As a highly motivated, positive individual with a broad skill set, I believe I could be a valuable member of the GMC board.
Mary Beth Culbertson
Current GMC Board member. Extremely interested the politics and policies surrounding the educational arena in
Greenville. Very active in the community and serve on several committees.
Jerry Denman
Being directly involved in the education of our GMC student family and those that influence them is probably one of the most important things that I can do as a parent.
In my career as a Chief Technology Officer at IBM, I work diligently to engage IBM as a partner in the community. My role as the Senior State Executive for South Carolina involves me with many businesses, local and state-wide.
Additionally, I am the South Carolina University Ambassador for IBM University Relations and sit on the Technical
Advisory Council for Greenville Technical College, the Curriculum Advisory Council at Clemson Business School, and actively volunteer at AJ Wittenberg School of Engineering and the Governor’s School for Math and Science.
I currently serve on the GMC board and with your support; I look forward to continuing that involvement. The most effective way I know to contribute to consistently improve our school is by sharing my diverse business experience. It is a privilege to run again for the GMC board.
Ted Hoffman
Greer Middle College represents an exceptional opportunity to raise the educational standard for our children and our community. The daily dedication demonstrated by our faculty and staff continues to challenge me as both a parent and board member. It has been my privilege and honor to serve as your chairman in this second year of board service.
While GMC is making great progress as a maturing high school, there is still much to be done including building our new facility and reaching full enrollment. Board continuity continues to be vitally important as we capitalize on the momentum achieved this year through our first graduating class, our charter renewal, and the new facility planning. I would appreciate the opportunity to continue using my business experience, my desire to see young people achieve and my willingness to serve the GMC community.
I am a professional engineer working as a project manager with a local engineering firm. My wife is a Resource teacher at Mt. View Elementary School. The oldest of our three children, Koins, is a junior at GMC. Our other two children,
Amity and Townsend, attend Langston Charter Middle School. Amity will be joining the GMC family next year.

Colton Keasler
In 1987, I started my career in the Voice/Data products market. In 2002, I joined my current employer, RAM
Technologies, a GMC Corporate Sponsor, where I perform as Sales Engineer and Senior Project Manager. RAM is a local company based in Greer focusing on the information technologies markets. I also owned a retail business from 2003 to
2008.
My career has afforded me much experience in business operations and management along with sales.
My experience in this market has allowed me to assist GMC with network expansion and upgrade as we grow the campus. My project management experience will be helpful as we move toward beginning our construction project.
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GMC Board of Directors 2011-2012, Facilities Chairman 2011-2012.
Lifelong resident of Greenville County.
Member and Deacon at Taylors First Baptist Church.
Wife, Marinell; Children, Garrett (rising 11th grader GMC), Natalie (rising 9th grader GMC) and Blake (rising 6th
grader Langston Charter).
• Graduated from The University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Sciences.
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Career in the information technologies markets since 1988.
Employer, RAM Technologies where I perform as Sales Engineer and Senior Project Manager.
• Earned the title of Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) in 1995 and Outside Plant Designer
(OSP) in 2010 from BICSI.
Owned a retail business from 2003 to 2008.
Alison Peterson
GMC Volunteer Positions 2011-2012: ‘Fall for GMC’, ‘Attractions Coupon Book’ fund raiser, interim Board Member,
Capital Campaign.
Professional: Physical Therapy, sales, national leadership training, public speaking, business owner, consultant.
Education: BA English (minor Biology), Physical Therapy degree.
Personal: my husband Kelly and I have three daughters. Ilse/Junior at Eastside High School; Erika Freshman here at GMC and Ingrid/Seventh Grader/ Greenville Middle Academy.
Service: several PTA Boards, numerous school committees; our community Home Owner’s Association Board; spearheaded Piedmont Women’s Center banquet (2002), organized ‘Closer: Moms and Daughters- Upstate Event’ (2010) and am active in our church.
Because I believe strongly that individual potential is one of our least-tapped resources, it is vital that the GMC Board help encourage a school/parent/community environment that fosters empowering all individuals. It is this unique energy that will propel GMC from where we are today, to our stellar future.
As a Board member, I will work diligently, investing my strengths and life experience for the betterment of the GMC community at large!
Vernon Rutland
I am currently serving my first term on the GMC board of directors. I am married and have two children, and a State law enforcement officer with 12 years’ experience. I am very active in the Greer Community and a graduate of Leadership
Greer. I am very passionate about education. I love the Charter concept and believe that charter schools are definitely the future of public education. I am an involved parent and I think that education is a partnership between the teacher and the parents. Parent support is a big part in a child’s education. We do need to hold our teachers to a high standard but we also need to hold parents to that standard as well. I would love to be able to continue serving the staff and students of the Greer Middle College Charter High School. Thank you for your support.

Joel Welch
I want to be a GMC Board member because I believe that Charter High Schools provide an excellent choice for students to pursue a high quality education. I want to be a part of continuing the work that has been done.
Joel has a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from The Citadel and a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the
University of South Carolina. Joel is currently completing his PhD in Educational Leadership at Clemson University. Joel worked as a consulting engineer for 9-1/2 years prior to joining the faculty at Greenville Technical College in 1998. At
Greenville Technical College, Joel has served as a faculty member, department head, Dean for Engineering Technology,
Assistant to the Senior Vice President and Dean for the Technologies Division. As Dean for the Technologies Division,
Joel manages 17 academic departments including Engineering, Industrial and Transportation Technology Programs. The
Technologies Division has the largest dual enrollment program at Greenville Technical College with more than 200 high school students taking college classes.
Joel has lived in the Greer/Blue Ridge area for the past 17 years. He is currently the Past-President of the Pleasantburg
Rotary Club and directs a youth drama team at his local church.
Matt Williams
I have been married 22 years and have five children ages 17 to 6 (my oldest two – Matti and Micah attend GMC). I am originally from Myrtle Beach SC and attended Clemson University where I received a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary
Education. After Clemson my wife and I moved to Dallas TX to attend Dallas Theological Seminary. In 1995 we moved to
Greenville to start Grace Church, and have been here ever since.
The reason I would be willing to serve in this capacity is because my children go to school here. I fundamentally believe that if you are going to be a part of something you should not simply be a taker, but also a giver. I am willing to give back to GMC by service to the school and board wherever necessary.