Eric Thome is the founder and managing director of Eric Thome Consulting, a fractional COO consulting firm. He has consulted with organizations large and small to improve their operations and scale impact. His favorite work is helping mission driven organizations overcome organizational roadblocks by creating processes and systems that reflect the organization’s values and optimize their essential value.

Formerly, he founded and managed Death Valley Ventures, a venture advisory firm and holding company. Additionally, he serves as the Director of VentureSouth Charleston, an angel investing group focused on early-stage, high-growth ventures in the Southeast. 

Eric received his Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University and his MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia. He serves as co-convener of the Charleston Shared Future Project, board member of InnoVision SC, Empower Charleston (formerly Social Venture Partners Charleston), and advisory board member for Clemson Honors College.

Eric and his wife, Eloise, live in Charleston, SC with their daughters, Anna (13), Landon (11) and Virginia (4). He runs half marathons, practices mindfulness and meditation, loves to read, and stinks at golf.

Gary is an experienced technology executive and entrepreneur with a successful career in high technology companies ranging from startups through Fortune 50 companies and including two startup exits.

Prior to Xenter, Baldwin led R&D, Engineering and Product teams for multiple organizations. As VP of Engineering for Cisco Systems, his team was responsible for delivering the ONS 15454 Internet data networking platform to nearly all carriers, bringing massive improvements in network performance to most of the world’s metropolitan areas for which they were awarded the Cisco Product of the Year. Gary led Software Engineering at Cerent which was acquired by Cisco Systems for $6.6B and at Telematics, Inc which was acquired by ECI Telecom. Gary was previously at ECI Telecom, Raytheon/E-Systems, Zipit Wireless and Dynepic where he and his teams delivered multiple HIPAA-compliant medical devices, cloud based AI systems, DOD SigInt systems, and IoT clouds and devices for AT&T and Verizon’s commercial and consumer sectors. Gary holds multiple patents in software and device technology.

Said Baldwin: “From my experience, I think Xenter is ideally positioned in both technology and IP, and in its ability to manage global expansion in a way that can make its new technologies pervasive very quickly. I look forward to growing the technology team and leading the technology and infrastructure developments for these new endeavors.”

Ann served as the Vice President, provider Network and Partnerships, BlueCross Blue Shield of South Carolina and a graduate of the University of South Carolina.  In her role, she was responsible for all value-based programs. Her primary responsibility was focused on the ongoing development of new payment methods and negotiations with integrated delivery systems as well as the independent practices throughout South Carolina.

Ambassador Carter has had the honor to serve at the very highest levels of the US government including the White House, US Senate and Departments of Defense (DOD) and State (DOS).  His career began in the US Air Force as an Instructor/Evaluator Pilot and included high priority worldwide airlift and special operations missions.

Separating from active duty after 10+ years, he staffed Senate Leader Bob Dole as a National Security Advisor and subsequently performed duties at DOD as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense.  Further subsequent government service included the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) and the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Baghdad, Iraq.  Throughout these years and between tours of federal service, he successfully led two separate government relations firms for over five years each.

Later in his career, Tom also flew for US Airways as a B737 Captain. This experience combined with his continued Air Force Reserve service resulted in achieving 10,000 flight hours.  He retired from the Reserve after 34+ years at the rank of Major General.

In 2017, he was confirmed by the Senate as the US Representative to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) with the rank of Ambassador.  In this capacity he represented the United States on all international aviation issues within the United Nations from 2017-2020.

Tom is a graduate of both the University of Memphis (BS) and Georgetown University (MA).  He is married to Mary Graham and lives in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Dr. Patrick J. Cawley is the CEO of MUSC Health and Vice President for Health Affairs of the Medical University of South Carolina. In this role, he oversees all clinical matters as they relate to MUSC. During his leadership, MUSC has significantly expanded its clinical enterprise with a new Children’s Hospital, multiple ambulatory sites, development of additional clinical affiliates, and numerous novel joint ventures. Additionally, MUSC has become a national leader in telehealth and has continued as South Carolina’s #1 hospital/health system.

Under Dr. Cawley’s leadership, MUSC continues to receive a number of quality awards across all domains of quality: safety, effectiveness, efficiency, equity, timeliness, and patient centeredness. Pat earned his MBA from the University of Massachusetts, his MD from the Georgetown University School of Medicine, and his BS in biology and business from the University of Scranton. He lives in Mt. Pleasant. He is a Fellow of the eighth class of the Liberty Fellowship Program and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

Mark Cowan draws on more than 35 years’ experience working on complex domestic and international public policy issues as counsel for a broad range of clients. He advises corporations, government entities, and foreign sovereigns on a wide array of business, regulatory, and trade issues.

His career is expansive and varied, having served among others, in the US Air Force, in the administrations of US Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, on the Trump Transition Team, and with the CIA.

Cowan, a lawyer, has headed three companies of his own, been a senior partner at Patton Boggs, LLP, an AM Law 100 firm, wherein he both created and directed the firm’s Business Development Department and effort for over 500 lawyers. Having founded The Jefferson Group in 1987, Mr. Cowan grew that public affairs firm to become the second largest in its class in just six years. Thereafter, he was Vice Chairman of Cassidy & Associates, Washington’s largest public affairs company, C.E.O. of the Columbus Group, C.E.O. of Newmyer Associates and a Senior Vice President at Hill and Knowlton, one of the world’s largest public relations firms, where he counseled numerous domestic and international clients.

Cowan currently serves on the boards of the Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation as Vice President for Development, DC Scores, an inner-city soccer and literacy program based in Washington, DC, and the Lowcountry, South Carolina, chapter of the Red Cross.

Katarina is a senior executive and a mechanical engineer with over 35 years of global experience from Europe, Asia and America, that includes R&D, Industrial Operations, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Education and Customer Experience.

Katarina has held several senior positions with Volvo Cars including Vice President Manufacturing Asia and Vice President Purchasing & Manufacturing America, leading the establishment of Volvo Cars’ first industrial footprint in America including overseeing the build of the production facility in South Carolina, a greenfield mega project. Most recently, Katarina was the Head of Volvo Car University and Sustainability for Volvo Cars America.

At present, Katarina works with Sustainability and Blue Green Economy Transition as the COO for Coastal 8, a Resiliency Systems Integration Partner. As a senior advisor, she also shares her vast experience with various industries and business leaders.

Katarina believes in giving back and is an active board member and community volunteer. Among her previous board assignments are Clemson University President’s Advisory Board, Cradle to Career Board, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in China and the Executive Board of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

She currently serves on the Board of Governors of the College of Charleston School of Business, the Red Cross SC Lowcountry Board, which she previously chaired, the Gibbes Museum Board and she is a co-founder of the College of Charleston ‘Women for Women Summit’, and a SDG ambassador for Sustain SC.

As a former Honorary Commander and Palmetto Leader at the Joint Military Base Charleston, she now serves on the Honorary Commander’s Advisory Council at the Joint Military Base.

Katarina is an Honorary Doctor of Science with Claflin University, a Manufacturing Institute STEP Ahead Award Honoree and a Founder’s Award Honoree with the Trident Literacy Association. 

Katarina loves the outdoors and is an avid sail racer and hunter.  She is passionate about the ocean and marine biology and has vacationed on expedition ships in the Arctic and Antarctica.

Marc is the former Commander of Joint Base Charleston and the 628th Air Base Wing.  In that capacity, Marc was responsible for $7.5 billion in base property and capital assets, an annual budget exceeding $172 million, and base support functions for more than 70,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, civilians, dependents, and retirees.  Following 22 years of military service, Marc founded FHI Consulting, LLC, a defense and financial services consulting firm, and joined Floyd Lee Locums as Senior Director of Government Services.  

Paula Heinauer is a member of the Lowcountry Red Cross Board of Directors, where she chairs the Development Committee that is tasked with growing the board. Paula is also leading Woman in Philanthropy through her membership in our Tiffany Circle. Paula and her husband Paul are the founders of Glasspro, Inc. The Heinauers have been longtime supporters of the Red Cross in so many ways. They both are avid blood donors and are passionate about all of our lines of service. 

Paula and Paul raised their daughter, Lauren Heinauer Barber to lead with compassion and give back to the community. Paula is truly leaving a legacy in philanthropy for the next generation, with Lauren now being a national leader and member of our Tiffany Circle as well.

Paula resides in Sullivan's Island with her husband Paul and loves to spend time with her three grandchildren.

Paul is an electric distribution manager with Dominion Energy SC whose headquarters is in Richmond, Virginia.  Dominion Energy is an energy provider that is dedicated to delivering reliable, affordable, clean energy to all customers and communities it serves.  He also services on the Regional Development Corporation BOD in the role of secretary/treasurer.  This board is part of the Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester Council of Governments.  Paul also is a Paul Allen Ten Star Rotarian with over 26 years of service.  He is currently a director in the Rotary Club of North Charleston Breakfast and past president of the Club. 

Paul has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Clemson University.  Other previous board appointments were with Trident Literacy Association, Charleston NAACP, past chairman ARC Carolina Lowcountry Chapter, and past president and current member of the American Association of Blacks in Energy South Carolina Chapter. 

Paul and his wife, Lillie, live in North Charleston, SC.  They have two children: daughter, Courtney and son, Avery.

Marina and her husband, Matt, started Coastal Limo with one vehicle in 2012 when they noticed a growing need for a reliable black car service in Charleston, SC. The couple continued growing their local footprint in the transportation business and averaged about 12 to 15 vehicles until 2020. Following the pandemic, the Millers set course on further expanding their business. The Charleston fleet has grown to over 40 vehicles by 2023. Matt and Marina were also presented with an opportunity to acquire an established limousine and bus service in Bluffton, SC and closed the deal in April of 2022. The Bluffton office operates 25 vehicles and services surrounding areas, including Hilton Head Island, Savannah, GA and Jacksonville, FL. Continuing expansion, Matt and Marina launched Coastal Motor Coach, a luxury motor coach company catering to group transportation needs covering everything from school events and athletics to corporate group travel. The company is headquartered in Charleston and operates a branch office in Bristol, TN.

Aside from focusing on the growing business, Marina has always felt a strong desire to give back to her community. She decided to fulfill her calling by enrolling in a nursing program at the Medical University of South Carolina. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2017, Marina started her career MUSC as Registered Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit. In 2019 Marina switched gears and accepted a position in a busy high-risk Labor and Delivery unit. As an L & D nurse, Marina found great joy in caring for expecting mothers and providing patient education.

Due to the demands of the pandemic, Marina made a difficult decision to step away from her role as a registered nurse in 2021. After welcoming their first child later that year, Matt and Marina moved forward with their strategy to grow the company. Marina returned to the family business full-time and now heads the HR & Compliance Departments for all three companies.

After stepping away from a career in healthcare, Marina was seeking other ways to serve her community. She was eager to join the Lowcountry Red Cross Board in January of 2023. Marina resides in Isle of Palms with her husband Matt, son Finn and their beloved dog Syd.

A native of Lunenburg, Massachusetts, CAPTAIN Andrew G. Peterson III graduated with highest distinction from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in May 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He later earned a Master of Science in Financial Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College. Subsequent sea tours include Division Officer assignments aboard USS MEMPHIS (SSN 691), Navigation/Operations Officer aboard USS OHIO (SSBN 726) (GOLD), Navigation/ Operations Officer aboard USS PARCHE (SSN 683), and Executive Officer aboard USS CHARLOTTE (SSN 766). His last sea assignment was Commanding Officer of USS OKLAHOMA CITY (SSN 723), forward deployed in Guam. He has completed numerous deployments to the Western Pacific, North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Western Atlantic. While ashore, CAPT Peterson served at assignments to include Nuclear Power Division Officer at Naval Submarine School; Operations Analyst for Capability, Analysis, and Assessment Division (N81) within the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; Deputy Commander for Mission Readiness at Submarine Squadron 15; Director, Office of International Nuclear Programs, in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters; and Commander of Naval Nuclear Power Training Command. CAPT Peterson assumed commanded of Naval Support Activity Charleston in June 2021 and also serves as the Deputy Commander of Joint Base Charleston.

As an advancement professional with more than 20 years’ experience, Dr. Piccolo has extensive experience in both Canada and the United States. Focusing her energies in the higher education sector, Dr. Piccolo has provided leadership and support as Foundation Executive Director, Chief Advancement Officer, and Vice President of Development/Advancement & External Relations for colleges in Kentucky, Indiana, South Carolina and Ontario, Canada.

Dr. Piccolo spent the early years of her career in Ontario within the social service sector, as a Young Offender Probation Officer and Provincial Director with the Ministry of Community and Social Services. She moved to Evansville, IN in 1994 where she began her focus on philanthropic giving.

While living in Evansville, Dr. Piccolo was very involved in her community and worked as an active board member on behalf of several agencies including United Way, Junior Achievement and Holly’s House. She was also an adjunct instructor in the Sociology Department at the University of Evansville. Once returning to her hometown of Toronto in September 2010, Dr. Piccolo continued her commitment to community service as an active board member of the Oakville United Way and the Oakville Chamber of Commerce. Before joining Trident Technical College, Dr. Piccolo held the position of Vice President, Advancement and External Relations at Sheridan College in Oakville, ON.

Dr. Piccolo joined Trident Technical College in January, 2018 as the Vice President for Development and Executive Director of the Trident Technical College Foundation. As an engaged member of the President’s Cabinet, Dr. Piccolo oversees all aspects of philanthropic giving in support of Trident Technical College.

Dr. Piccolo holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, a Master of Public Administration degree from Indiana State University, and a Doctor of Education degree from Northeastern University.

With more than 20 years of experience in information technology and information security Matt Powell is the Vice President of Information Security for South Carolina Federal Credit Union. In this role he is responsible for securing the critical technology infrastructure and the data of the member’s that the financial institution serves. As a native of the low country he earned his BS in Business Administration from The Citadel and his MS in Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology."

After graduating from Trident Tech and then College of Charleston ’02, Jessica took a chance with an overly eager cover letter with limited credentials and applied to a Scale Up biotechnology lab position. Thank goodness her international employer took the chance on her too. Together they scaled up an in vitro pipeline of genetically engineered pine and eucalyptus research to a full scale production system that was eventually patented.  Jessica then changed gears all to together and partnered with her brother to bootstrap their parent’s business, Charleston’s Rigging & Marine Hardware Inc DBA Carolina’s Rigging. Fast forward to 2016, they moved their Carolina’s Rigging location to a purpose built Columbia facility off I-77 and the Charleston’s Rigging to the Navy Yard, North Charleston in 2018.

Their other partnership, Stella Kala LLC, also expanded with more commercial rental properties in NC and SC. She has represented CWIT Charleston Women in International Trade as “Woman of the Year” and has also served as Chairman of the Maritime Association of SC.  Jessica proudly began serving as on the Lowcountry Red Cross Board in 2021. She lives in Mt Pleasant with her husband Peter.  

Pamela and her husband, Paul West Ph.D., own AFMWorkshop, a nanotechnology company based in Hilton Head. Pamela’s career includes 35 years of major gifts fundraising, marketing and non-profit leadership within grassroots, national, and international organizations. Pamela served as Senior Philanthropy Officer for the Southern California Region of the American Red Cross, and has been certified in CPR and First Aid, as an Emergency Response Vehicle driver, and Communications volunteer. Pamela also serves on the Grants Committee of Women in Philanthropy, a fund of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.  

Captaining her sailboat and other boats up and down the North and Central American coastlines, Pamela’s passionate about the sea. She also loves working with people around the world; extensive global travel includes communities within “Least Developed Countries (LDCs)” as defined by the UN. Pamela’s Bachelors degree in Human Ecology is from College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine. 

On August 9, 2019, my 12-year-old daughter, Claire, was diagnosed with Leukemia.  That is where this biography begins.  She was immediately admitted to Shawn Jenkins Children Hospital where she received world class treatment.  She is alive today, in part, because anonymous donors provided their blood.  When I asked her ever precise Oncologist how much blood Claire needed, she wrote: 'She received 17 units of red cells during her treatment which comes down to 5239 ml of blood which is 11 pints. She also received 13 units of platelets transfusions.  And that is just for one Leukemia patient!

Claire has been and is an inspiration to my wife, Laura, and me. She is now in full remission. She is starting center mid for her high school soccer team that lost in double over-time in the State Championship last year.  

Laura and I have one other child, McCabe, who is a freshman at Clemson University.  As a Board Member I hope to repay those who gave and to ensure that other cancer patients have the blood they need to successfully fight cancer.

Christy Whitlock is a licensed REALTOR®, Certified CHRISTIE’S International Real Estate Luxury Specialist, a licensed pharmacist, and a yoga instructor.

She attended Coker College for 2 years on a Volleyball scholarship studying pre-pharmacy, and later graduated with her B.S. in Pharmacy from MUSC in Charleston, South Carolina. An active pharmacist, she and her husband, David, now own three senior living pharmacies servicing approximately 8000 patients in nursing homes and assisted living centers within North and South Carolina.

Real Estate became a passion for Christy at the untimely passing of her beloved mentor and Dad, Charles Cooper. Involvement in and managing of the family real estate assets led Christy to get her Real Estate license. In 2018, she and her siblings purchased The Lachicotte Company, a staple in Lowcountry Real Estate, where she accepted the role of CEO. The company successfully merged with the largest, long standing company in the area, The Litchfield Company in 2020, allowing Christy to share her deep knowledge of local real estate with buyers and sellers alike.

Her childhood on Pawleys gave Christy a true appreciation for the Lowcountry lifestyle. Originally from Andrews, South Carolina, Christy and her family spent their summers on Pawleys Island. She fondly remembers playing with her sister and brothers all day, then being called back to the beach house by the smell of the Shrimp Pileau her grandmother was cooking for supper.

Today, Christy can be seen before daybreak, driving over to Pawleys beach with her two Golden Doodles rushing to meet the sunrise. She and David are the proud parents of their three beautiful children and enjoy their time working and living on the Waccamaw Neck – they wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.