United Way Welcomes New Board Members

April 26, 2022

On April 1, 2022, United Way of the Piedmont welcomed seven new members to its Board of Directors. These corporate and community leaders from Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union Counties join 27 other diverse members of United Way's volunteer board.


United Way of the Piedmont welcomes the following new members to the 2022-2023 Board of Directors:



Parkes B. Coggins, MHA 

Vice President Cardiac Services and Operations

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System

Parkes is currently the vice president of cardiac services and operations at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and has served in that role since June of 2020. Prior to this role, he was the vice president of hospital integration, responsible for integration activities related to the acquisition of Mary Black Health System by Spartanburg Regional, on January 1st, 2019. Prior to the acquisition, Parkes was the chief executive officer of Mary Black Health System Spartanburg and held the same position at Carolinas Hospital System Marion (now Marion Medical Center) between 2015 and 2018. Parkes held other positions including chief operating officer and assistant chief executive officer at other CHS and HMA affiliated hospitals since 2007. 

Parkes received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Newberry College and a Master of Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina. Parkes resides in Spartanburg with his wife, Meredith, and three children, Hannah (6), Browning (4), and Grady (8 months). 


Kurt Dallas

President Product Solutions

AFL

Kurt Dallas, President of AFL Product Solutions, leads global product-based businesses and is responsible for driving strategies for growth and delivering an enhanced customer experience. Kurt began his career with AFL in 1991 as senior applications engineer and advanced into technical management, project management and product development. In 2007, he assumed responsibility for AFL’s cable business and by 2015 started managing AFL’s connectivity business. By 2017, Kurt was named executive vice president of AFL’s cable, connectivity, and equipment businesses, managing a large portfolio of products. During his career with AFL, he has led multiple U.S. and international manufacturing operations and sales in the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico plus the equipment businesses in North America. Kurt also serves on AFL’s Board of Directors. Kurt is a graduate of Memphis State where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and holds a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Tennessee. He is active with SWITCH and Set Free, plus organizations focused on cancer research and prevention, and he volunteers with Hands on Greenville, Habitat for Humanity and the International Justice Mission. Kurt has been married for 33 years and has two children plus one grandchild. He attends Fellowship Greenville and in his spare time, he enjoys golfing, boating, traveling, and spending time with his family.


Dana Gottman

Chief Human Resource Officer

AFL

Dana graduated from Missouri State University in Springfield, MO with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, with an emphasis on Public Relations. Her first job, post-college, was at JP Morgan Chase Bank in their Springfield, MO call center. Eventually life led her to Spartanburg, where she began working for American Credit Acceptance (ACA) as a Talent Acquisition Manager in 2011. Over the course of almost 12 years, she had the opportunity to work in other parts of HR and is now the Chief Human Resource Officer for ACA.  Dana met her husband, Maxwell, while attending Missouri State University. His work brought them to Spartanburg in late 2010 where they worked together for several years at ACA before starting a family in 2013. They have two children, Elliott (8) and Zoey (5). 


Angela Halstead 

Vice President and Broker in Charge

Coldwell Banker Caine

As Vice President and Broker in Charge of Coldwell Banker Caine in Spartanburg and Broker in Charge of the Caine Referral Company, Angela considers it a privilege to hep agents reach their full potential in real estate and in life. In her previous 22-year career at Milliken & Co., she held a variety of positions including roles in sales and marketing, which eventually led to her position as the Global Sales Process Leader for her division. Her experience in training and guidance for sales teams around the world directly translates into her role as a broker today.  As a support system for the agents, she challenges them to find innovative ways to grow their business. Beginning her real estate career as a commercial sales agent, she has now found her calling as a residential broker in charge at Caine. Angela is married to her husband, Clifford, and enjoys being a mother to their two beautiful children. She also volunteers in the community. Currently, she serves as the President of the Board of Trustees for Ballet Spartanburg, and the immediate past President of the MLS Board of Directors for the Spartanburg Association of Realtors. She also serves on the CHEAC committee for Spartanburg District 7 Schools and is an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent.


Bennie Harris

Chancellor

USC Upstate

Bennie L. Harris, Ph.D., serves as USC Upstate’s seventh chancellor, where he fulfills his purpose to inspire and develop young people to change the world. He believes higher education offers opportunities for people to experience possibilities and achieve their greatest aspirations. Before his appointment at USC Upstate, Dr. Harris served as senior vice president for Institutional Advancement at the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) in Atlanta, Georgia, beginning in 2014. At MSM, Dr. Harris co-chaired the institution’s five-year strategic plan and served as a critical member in developing the school’s Leadership Academy, a program designed to promote leadership among faculty and staff. He dramatically impacted the school’s fundraising outcomes, launching a $225 million comprehensive campaign and growing fundraising income to $235 million over seven years. In addition, MSM has received $177,309,691 in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 2015. Dr. Harris previously served in leadership positions at Lipscomb University, DePaul University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Washington State University. Since moving to the Upstate of South Carolina, Dr. Harris has been appointed to serve on the boards of several civic organizations, including the Spartanburg Academic Movement, Ten at the Top, OneSpartanburg, The Charles Lea Center Administrative Board, United Way of the Piedmont, the Franklin School, NCAA Big South Conference. He is also a member of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce Accelerate Steering Committee. A native of Rosedale, Mississippi, Dr. Harris earned a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from Mississippi State University, a Master of Business Administration from Washington State University, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is married to his college sweetheart, Frankie A. Harris, and together they have three adult children, Bria, Bennie II, and Branden. 


Frannie Stockwell 

Executive Director

Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce

Frannie is the Executive Director of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. She is involved in the community and participates as a board member for United Way of Piedmont, Ten at the Top, Crimestoppers, Rise Against Drugs and Alcohol, Institute of Innovation Advisory Board, the Clemson Extension, and is a member of Rotary International. Frannie is married to Greg Stockwell and has three children, Emily, Erica, and Dylan.


Timika Wilson 

Co-Lead

Union County Community Remembrance Project

LTC (Ret) Timika M. Wilson was born in Frankfurt, Germany. A 1992 graduate of Union High School, she was commissioned into the United States Army in August 1997 from the Clemson University Army ROTC program. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Ceramic Engineering. She is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic Course, Engineer Captain’s Career Course, United States Army Recruiters School, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Combined Armed Services and Staff College. She has a Master's in Engineering Management from Missouri University of Science & Technology.

Timika has served in a multitude of leadership positions at every echelon from tactical to strategic in various Army Major Commands from FORSCOM to TRADOC. This service includes four combat tour deployments in support of Iraq and Afghanistan as an Engineer Planner and Construction Management Action Officer providing oversight and administrative support for military construction projects to help rebuild Afghanistan infrastructure, facilitate housing for troops across Afghanistan, and master plan entire basecamps in a contingency environment. As Deputy Commander at the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District, she provided emergency support operations expertise at the Florida State Emergency Operations Center coordinating USACE resources, funding, and personnel response for three Hurricanes including Blue Roof missions for temporary roof replacement and mobile unit support for on ground USACE assets. With this diverse experience, Timika has developed the managerial, leadership, and training skills required of an adaptive and dynamic individual ready and able to support the mission in any situation. She retired in 2018 and committed to continuing her service. She is the Union County Democratic Party Chair focused on “Voter Registration, Education & Participation” growing the party from 81 to 391 active members, the Equal Justice Initiative endorsed Union County Community Remembrance Project Co-Lead that facilitated the UCCRP JUNETEENTH Remembrance & Celebration in 2021 on the day of the holiday’s Federal recognition, Union County Vision Council, Board Member and Special Projects Committee Chair for the L.W. Long Community Resource Center raising over $40K for the historic Union Community Hospital renovation and rehabilitation, Spartanburg Community College Union Campus Advisory Committee, Union County Chamber of Commerce – Individual member, and WeGoJA Foundation Board of Director. She is an active member of Eta Sigma Sigma Greenville Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (Divine 9) serving as the National Programs & Local Community Service Committee Chair that facilitated Operation Big Bookbag at the Upstate Circle of Friends providing over one hundred bookbags, new books, builder kits and pencil sets to young students. She is the Undergraduate Chapter Advisor for Mu Psi Chapter at Clemson University and the 81st Southeastern Region Conference Undergraduate Advisor of the Year 2021 while serving as UCA for both Mu Psi and Nu Chi Chapters at Clemson University and Lander University, respectively. She is a Union, It's Time We Talk Podcast Panelist responsible for programming and booking guests with an audience of over 1,100. She also volunteers as a leader or member for several other local organizations to assist and inform residents of Union County, SC for a better Union. Timika M. Wilson resides in Santuc, SC with her parents, Sergeant First Class Retired, Leon and Peggy Wilson who were born in Santuc and Carlisle, respectively. Timika learned her servant leader principles from her parents and is committed to continuing that tradition. 


For more information about United Way's Board of Directors, please visit: uwpiedmont.org/boardofdirectors.

Union Uplifted Welcomes First Executive Director

June 11, 2026
Union Uplifted, a cradle-to-career initiative with United Way of the Piedmont serving as the lead partner organization, has named its first Executive Director. Joey Haney, retired Union County Schools Superintendent, will step into the role beginning July 13. Union Uplifted grew from more than two years of deep listening across Union County: 26 community conversations, more than 850 residents who shared their hopes and concerns, and 39 community champions who stepped forward to help shape the work. It is a partnership anchored by Union County School District, United Way of the Piedmont, and Spartanburg Academic Movement, with partners from healthcare, business, higher education, government, faith communities, and the nonprofit sector. Guided by the StriveTogether framework, Union Uplifted is designed to ensure that every child in Union County has the support they need from prenatal through career. 

High School Students Help Shape Spartanburg Philanthropy

June 9, 2026
When United Way of the Piedmont established the Spartanburg Youth Philanthropy Board in 2014, the idea was straightforward: give high school students a seat at the table, let them learn how community investment works, and trust them to lead. More than a decade later, the 2025-2026 Board showed what that idea looks like in action. This year's Board brought together 26 members from seven high schools across six school districts, logging more than 215 hours of service across our community through the Fall Food Drive, MLK Day of Service, the OneSpartanburg Internship Fair, and the Spring Breakout, held in partnership with the City of Spartanburg and Spartanburg Academic Movement. Along the way, they invested $5,000 into six local youth-serving programs through a grant process they helped run, including conducting the interviews themselves. Fifteen seniors graduate this year, most of whom gave two years to this work. Their commitment reflects something broader about what YPB has always been built on: that young people need roles and space to lead in our community.

United in Service: United Way Celebrates Community Volunteers

May 21, 2026
On May 19, we honored the volunteers who make our work possible during our annual Volunteer Celebration. Presented by the Timken Company, the event recognized individuals and teams whose service continues a 90‑year legacy of impact across the region. “At United Way of the Piedmont, our vision is a community where everyone thrives. For 90 years, that vision has held because people chose to show up for one another.” shared Angela Halstead, Board of Directors Chair-Elect. “That commitment shows up in bold ways and quiet ones: through volunteers who lead with heart, partners who collaborate for greater impact, and investments that help families build financial security.” United Way extends our deepest gratitude to the incredible people who have united in service with us, and we congratulate each of this year’s outstanding award recipients. 2026 Volunteer Celebration Award Winners  Women United Award: Lucy Woodhouse Tomeka Pierce African American Leadership Society Award: Pierre Brewton Walter S. Montgomery Young Leader Award: Amanda Champion Advocate of the Year: Joey Haney Tom Barnet Award for Volunteer Service: Carey Rothschild Community Partner Award: A Place to Call Home & The Faith Initiative to End Child Poverty We also recognized the following groups that gave their time to our programs and investments this past year: Board of Directors AmeriCorps Members Community Investment Process Volunteers Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Volunteers Together, these volunteers, donors, and partners made a true difference for our community. Explore volunteer opportunities →

Leading with Heart in Cherokee County

May 13, 2026
Shay Smith, Community Resource Coordinator Supervisor and Lead Coordinator for United Way of the Piedmont’s work in Cherokee County, is passionate about building relationships that help families move forward. Through her role, she works closely with local partners, organizations, and residents to strengthen community connections and expand access to critical resources. Her work reflects our commitment to collaboration, ensuring that families across Cherokee County have the support they need to thrive. As a Lead Coordinator in Cherokee County, Shay helps bring community partners together to address local needs and move collaborative solutions forward. From supporting families with budgeting guidance and connecting them to resources, to training and leading a team of Community Resource Coordinators, her work helps advance our focus on Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, Health, and Community Resiliency. Living and working in Cherokee County has made the impact even more meaningful for her. She gets to see firsthand partners providing food, parenting resources, shelter, and financial support . “When we can help families connect to resources or stabilize an urgent need, it gives them the opportunity to take a breath and begin planning for their future. Sometimes just one connection can make a family’s journey a little easier.”

United Way of the Piedmont Welcomes Five New Board Members

April 29, 2026
Five new members are joining United Way of the Piedmont’s Board of Directors. Representing our region across multiple sectors, counties, and backgrounds, each Board Member uniquely strengthens the United Way reach and mission. Welcome to the new members of the Board: Dr. Lacresha Byrd, Union County Schools Chunsta Miller, Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina Al Swanson, AFL Cal Wicker, Pinnacle Financial Partners Francisca Yanez, Contec, Inc. United Way also thanks all departing Board Members for their years of dedicated service: Donda Bishop, AFL Jennifer Cash, Synovus Bank Shaunté Evans, Spartanburg Housing Mitch Kennedy, City of Spartanburg Beth Lancaster, Spartanburg District 7 Angela Halstead of Coldwell Banker Caine has served on the Board for 4 years and will serve as the new Board Chair. She shares, "As a Board Member, I have loved seeing the impact United Way makes across all ages and every walk of life, whether it's providing critical assistance to those who need it or offering donors and volunteers a chance to be part of something truly collaborative. Very few organizations are able to touch so many lives, and I’m honored to serve as Board Chair and continue my part in this mission.” View United Way’s full Board of Directors →

What Volunteerism Means to Me and Why It Matters for Today’s Youth

By Anna Grace Kellam • April 20, 2026
Written by Anna Grace Kellam, United Way of the Piedmont intern and student at Oakbrook Preparatory School in Spartanburg If you had asked me before I started volunteering what it really meant, I probably would’ve said something simple—helping others or giving back. But through my experiences, especially interning with the United Way of the Piedmont, I’ve come to realize it’s much more personal than that. Volunteerism isn’t just about completing service hours or checking a box. For me, it’s been about finding where I fit in my community and realizing that even small actions can make a real difference. It’s easy to think that one person can’t do much, but volunteering showed me that change actually starts with individuals who are willing to show up. One of the biggest things I’ve taken away is how much you grow through serving others. Yes, you’re helping your community; but, you’re also building confidence, learning how to communicate, and developing leadership skills without even realizing it at first.

Power of the Purse Raises Over $6,000 for Women Facing Housing Insecurity

April 13, 2026
On March 26, 78 women from across our region gathered at Dillard's Spartanburg for a night of fashionable fun and lasting change. Women United's Power of the Purse event had it all: elegance, purpose, and many moments of connection. Over $6,000 was raised in a single evening to support local women facing housing insecurity right here in our tri-county footprint. Every purse bid, raffle ticket, and ticket purchased added up to resources, stability, and hope for neighbors who need it most. "Evenings like this remind us why we do this work," said Taylor Miller, United Way of the Piedmont. "When I looked around that space and saw those incredible women raising money, laughing, and giving — all for a neighbor they may never meet — that's the power of this community." Power of the Purse is one night, but the work of Women United goes on. Women United is a strong local community of women who use their strength to lift others up through year-round philanthropy and engagement . In addition to their hard work, this event was a success because of our amazing sponsors, purse donors, and every single woman who bought a ticket, brought a friend, and showed up ready to give. This year’s Power of the Purse was just the beginning, and we’re excited to see what we do together next. Special thanks to our 2026 Power of the Purse sponsors: Prada: Dillard’s Spartanburg Kate Spade: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Coco Chanel: Jeter Hrubula Wealth Strategies

United Since 1936: Celebrating 90 Years

March 25, 2026
The Foundation On November 15, 1936, a group of community members and local agencies gathered in Spartanburg with a shared question: What if we started working together to meet local needs? Out of that gathering, the United Campaign in Spartanburg was born, which was a collective effort to fill gaps in services and raise funds for the good of all.

File with Confidence: Free Tax Preparation Services Available

February 20, 2026
Tax season can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. If you or someone you serve needs help filing taxes this year, there are trusted, free resources available for people right here in our community. In-Person Tax Help Through VITA Our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) clinics are open through mid-April and ready to help. Through the IRS-supported VITA program, households earning $67,000 or less per year can receive free, in-person tax preparation assistance from IRS-certified staff and volunteers. This service helps ensure returns are filed accurately and that families receive the credits and refunds they’re eligible for. Appointments are available for eligible individuals and families living in Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties. To schedule an appointment, call 2-1-1 or 1-866-892-9211. Prefer to File From Home? For households earning under $89,000 annually, free online filing is available through MyFreeTaxes.com. This secure, easy-to-use platform allows individuals and families to file both federal and state taxes at no cost from the comfort of home. Last-Minute Tax Clinic: Walk-Ins Welcome Need help close to the deadline? Our team and volunteers will provide a Last-Minute Tax Clinic in April for anyone who needs support before Tax Day. No appointment necessary—just come by during clinic hours for assistance. Find the details below: CC Woodson April 14 from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Walk-ins accepted all day Learn More & Share Accurate tax filing can mean larger refunds, access to valuable tax credits, and greater financial security for local families. Please share this information widely with clients, neighbors, and community members who may benefit. Additional information can be found here →

Over 400 Volunteers Rallied Together for United Way of the Piedmont’s Annual MLK Day of Service

January 26, 2026
On January 19, over 400 volunteers across Spartanburg County came together for United Way of the Piedmont’s annual MLK Day of Service, collectively contributing 933 hours of service. Hosting this event for over a decade, United Way of the Piedmont has been able to provide support to over 16 non-profit and community partners. Hands-on projects ranging from trail cleanups to period kit packing provided volunteers with the opportunity to come together and support the organizations strengthening our community. Amanda Richardson, Vice President of Brand Experience at United Way of the Piedmont, volunteered alongside her children to create artwork for women and children preparing to move into Bridgeway Village. Reflecting on the importance of serving on MLK Day, Richardson shared, “Giving back—especially on MLK Day—matters deeply to me. It’s a powerful opportunity to show my children that showing up for our neighbors can take many different forms.” United Way of the Piedmont extends a heartfelt thank you to the incredible volunteers who showed up, served, and made an impact this MLK Day. Your dedication and compassion showed our community that United Is the Way. We can’t wait to come together again for next year’s Day of Service on Monday, January 18, 2027.