UPSTATE—Pickens County Council Chairman Neil Smith will serve as an at-large member of the executive committee for the Upstate SC Alliance.

The nine-member committee was announced at the Alliance’s annual meeting, held last month at the BMW Zentrum in Spartanburg.

The executive committee expanded from five members to nine. The five returning members are:

• George Acker, who will serve as the executive committee’s chairman. Acker is southern region director for government and community relations for Duke Energy.

• Bobby Hitt, who will serve as the executive committee’s vice chair. Hitt is manager of media and public relations for BMW Manufacturing Corporation.

Ingo Angermeier, who will serve as the executive committee’s treasurer. Angermeier is CEO of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.

• John Miller, who will serve as an at-large member of the executive committee.  Miller is president of AnMed Health.

• Leon Patterson, who will serve as the executive committee’s immediate past chairman.  Patterson is chairman of Palmetto Bancshares, Inc.

In addition to Smith, joining the committee will be Jim Thomas, Butch Kirvan and Nancy Spencer.

Thomas is a regional director for AT&T. Kirven is the chairman of Greenville County Council. Spencer is the regional vice president for Delta Dental.

“The Upstate SC Alliance is excited about the new nine member structure and the inclusion of the public sector on the executive committee.  This group will work hard to shape the long-term strategy and focus of the organization,” said Upstate SC Alliance President and CEO Hal Johnson.  “Having the public and private sector intimately involved in marketing this ten county region is what makes this region so unique.  This move will pay dividends as our organization continues to present the business case on why this region is a perfect location for business growth to companies around the globe.”