Palmetto Pride

PalmettoPride Board Member Bios

Tom Bailey-Chairman

Tom is a successful business man and the owner of multiple Mr. Mattress stores in the upstate.  He is an avid outdoorsman and feels strongly about the environment.  He resides in Piedmont, is married to Judy and is the proud father of 5 exceptional children and 9 outstanding grand children.  Tom is a member of Marathon Community Church in Powdersville, SC.

Senator David Thomas-Founder

His political career began in 1979 when he successfully ran for Greenville City Council. Four years later, Thomas was voted Mayor Pro Tempore. In 1984, Thomas successfully ran for the South Carolina State Senate, winning both the primary and general election. He has served continuously in the Senate for over 26 years. He is Chairman of the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee, and is also a member of the Senate Finance, Corrections & Penology, and Medical Affairs Committees. In 1999, Thomas organized and founded The Litter Task Force that is currently known as PalmettoPride, the Governor’s Council on Beautification and Litter. Senator Thomas received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Arts from Texas Christian University, and a Law degree from the University of South Carolina. He is currently a partner in the law firm of Moore, Taylor & Thomas where he practices law in Greenville, SC.

Holt Chetwood

Holt Chetwood serves as the Midlands Market President for Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company, in Columbia, South Carolina.  The Midlands region of Wachovia has over 1,500 employees and 30 banking centers.  Holt was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  He graduated from Clemson in 1997 with a BS in Business Management.  Holt is married to the former Marni Vincent of Montgomery, Alabama and they have three children ages 7, 6, and 3.  Holt enjoys playing tennis and biking.

Coupe De Ville

Colonel Edsel “Coupe” De Ville, was born and raised in Eunice, Louisiana in the heart of Cajun country.  He received his BS degree in Industrial Technology from Louisiana State University and his Masters in Business Management from Georgia College. Coupe retired from the USAF in the rank of Colonel after serving our country for 28 years as a fighter pilot and Commander. He was also designated a TOP GUN in the A-10 Aircraft, and volunteered for two combat tours in Vietnam, where he was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses, one of which was for “Heroism in Combat”. Among his numerous military decorations, he was awarded the Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. Since his retirement in 1989 he has been very active in the community and has served as:

Chairman – Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Task Force 1993-95

Chairman– Horry County Crime Stoppers 1992

Board of Directors – Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce 1997-2000

Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Liaison Committee 2001- 05

Vice President – The Lakes Property Owners Association 1990

Commissioner – South Carolina Aeronautics Commission 1995

Board of Directors – Horry County Red Cross 1991-93

Paul N Hamberis

Paul is currently semi-retired and operates Paul N Hamberis LLC consulting service. He was employed by Waste Management of South Carolina in the Solid Waste Industry providing Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Transfer, Landfill and Recycling services from 1970 through 2009. Paul has held various company positions. He is married to Annice, has a son, Keefe, a daughter-in-law Christie and two grandchildren Nicholas and Rachel. Paul is a member of St George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Greenville SC.

Tom Shearin 

Currently the Collections Manager for the City of Florence and has previously served the city as Special Services Administrator. Tom has previously worked for Florence County as the Deputy County Administrator, Treasurer, Internal Auditor and Tax Assessor. He graduated from the University of Richmond in 1974 and is a Certified Public Accountant in South Carolina as well as North Carolina and Virginia. Tom is married to Connie Reel-Shearin, Florence County Clerk of Court.

Representative Brian White

W. Brian White has been a member of the SC House of Representatives since 2006.  Brian serves as the Chairman of Ways and Means, is a member of the Anderson County Legislative Delegation (2006) and is also Chairman of the Anderson Area Transportation Study Committee. He is an insurance agent with Capstone Insurance Services, LLC. and attended Erskine College. He is married to Courtney Simmons Bell and has 3 children, Amelia Grace, Isabelle Faith and Madeline Hope.  Representative White is also a Deacon at the Young Memorial Assoc. Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) Church.