VisionSC Summit Features Inaugural Carroll Campbell Leadership Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Greenville, S.C. – Today, Palmetto Policy Forum (PPF) hosts its 2^nd Annual VisionSC Summit at the Westin Poinsett.  Featuring a strong bi-partisan program of national and local leaders, the conference will spotlight key policy drivers of South Carolina’s economic competitiveness: energy development, education and tax policy.

VisionSC will also feature the inaugural presentation of the Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. Vision in Leadership Award.  Developed in collaboration between Palmetto Policy Forum and the family of the late Governor Campbell –  and the only recurring award currently given in his honor – it was created to recognize South Carolinians whose effective, visionary leadership has, in the model of Carroll Campbell, contributed to the significant betterment of this state, their community and their fellow citizens. The first recipient is Greenville Mayor and former Campbell Congressional staffer Knox White, who is being recognized for his visionary leadership in the transformation of Greenville.

Speaking about the creation of the award, Palmetto Policy Forum board member and former SCGOP State Chairman Van Hipp stated, “Governor Carroll Campbell contributed so much to our state and inspired so many that it’s only appropriate that an award of this type bear his name.  Simply stated, he was the gold standard; the standard by which those who follow him are measured.”

Commenting on what the award means to them, the Campbell family said, “Carroll Campbell was not only a visionary Governor, but a loving husband and father. We are proud to partner with Palmetto Policy Forum to honor his legacy and continue his work to unleash opportunity for each South Carolina citizen.”

“Knox is the poster boy for local control,” said Forum board member and former U.S. Senator Jim DeMint, also a Greenville native.  “His vision, leadership and persistence, along with Greenville’s innovative business and volunteer community, have transformed Greenville from a declining textile town into an international destination.”

Forum President Ellen Weaver concluded, “Knox White learned the value of persistent vision while cutting his leadership teeth in Carroll Campbell’s Congressional office.  The application of this lesson to his service as Mayor of Greenville now serves as a model of local leadership around South Carolina and beyond.  We could not be more honored to collaborate with Governor Campbell’s family to recognize Knox for his role in Greenville’s extraordinary rebirth.”

Awardee Mayor Knox White concluded, “Carroll Campbell believed that public service was about doing consequential things. I am grateful that he set the Upstate on a new path economically that made possible the great changes in our city and opened doors of opportunity for so many.”

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