Willis Cantey, a Charleston business and civic leader, was elected board chair by the trustees of the S.C. Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) at their October 10 board meeting, hosted by Anderson University. Cantey will serve a two-year term as board chair.
“SCICU is very fortunate to benefit from Willis Cantey’s leadership and experience,” said SCICU President and CEO Jeff Perez. “Willis will provide the guidance to help SCICU better serve its 21 member institutions and their 36,000 students.”
Prior to being elected board chair, Cantey served as president-elect of the board for two years and chaired the SCICU Finance Committee.
Lucy Grey McIver, outgoing SCICU board chair and Sumter-based attorney with the McLeod Law Group, passed the gavel to Cantey at the end of the SCICU board meeting. McIver will continue her service on the SCICU board with a two-year term as immediate past board chair and chair of the SCICU Nominating Committee.
Dr. Gene Fant, president of North Greenville University, currently serves as vice-chair of the SCICU board and chair of the SCICU Council of Presidents. He will continue in both leadership roles through August 2024.
The board elected Ben Porter to a two-year term as president-elect. Porter previously chaired the SCICU Finance Committee.
As board chair, Cantey announced his committee leadership, and the board voted to confirm the appointments:
Audit Committee
Chair – Willis Cantey (Cantey Tech Consulting)
Committee members – Susan Amick (South State Bank), Kristi Eidson (Total Comfort Solutions), Dr. Gene Fant (North Greenville University), Lucy Grey McIver (McLeod Law Group), Ben Porter (First Citizens Bank)
Development Committee
Chair – Trey Simon (SC Student Loan Corporation)
Vice chair – Danna Vetter (Milliken & Company)
Finance Committee
Chair – Steve Hall (FGP- Find Great People)
Vice chair – Brent Weaver (Wells Fargo)
Nominating Committee
Chair – Lucy Grey McIver (McLeod Law Group)
Public Policy Committee
Chair – Brandolyn Pinkston (Retired SC Consumer Advocate)
Vice chair – Michael Jackson (SC Ports Authority)
The chairs of SCICU committees all serve on the SCICU Executive Committee. Three presidents of SCICU’s 21 member institutions also serve on the Executive Committee. SCICU college/university presidents serving on the Executive Committee for the 2023-24 term are Coker University President Natalie Harder, Morris College President Leroy Staggers, and North Greenville University President Gene Fant.
