Greenville is a wonderful city in which to live and raise a family. I want my children to find Greenville to be as special as I do, so I give back whenever I am able. The following are a few of my favorite organizations:

• Local Boys Do Good.  When Carl Sobocinski and Edwin McCain wanted to start a tax-exempt organization by which they could leverage their talents to raise money for local charities, I was pleased to help with the legal work. This summer, Local Boys Do Good will present the third annual Euphoria / Southern Exposure food, wine, and music festival. The net proceeds from the festival are donated back to local charities, particularly those related to providing food, music, or support for children. I expect to provide legal advice to Local Boys for as long as the Board wants me to remain involved. What’s not to like about great food, superb wine, and rockin’ music – all for a good cause?

• Metropolitan Arts Council.  The breadth and quality of our artistic community is a real selling point for Greenville, and MAC is responsible for much of the success of Greenville’s artists and arts organizations. As a member of the Board of Directors, I support Greenville’s visual artists, musicians, and actors whenever I can.

• Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library.  The historian in me could not pass up to opportunity to help get this tax-exempt organization up and running. Arlene Marcley and a wonderful group of directors have built a fantastic organization that is already attracting interest from baseball fans across the nation, and I am happy to assist with legal support when asked.

• Trout Unlimited and Ducks Unlimited.  As one who likes nothing better than wading in a small mountain stream or sitting in a duck blind as the sun comes up, I do what I can to support the preservation of our freshwater streams and our flyways. It’s cliché but it’s true: trout don’t live in ugly places – and the same generally holds true for ducks. I hope that my sons will be able to enjoy some of the beautiful places that I grew up loving, and organizations like these are working to make that hope a reality.

• Leadership Development Board of Regents.  After finishing Leadership Greenville Class 33, I was asked to sit on the Board that oversees all of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce leadership development programs. My continued involvement with my leadership class and the Board of Regents helps keep me in touch with both the challenges that we face here in Greenville and the opportunities we have to make this an even better place to live than it already is.

• Greenville Forward.  This organization is dedicated to helping Greenville realize the lofty goals set forth in Vision 2025. My role is small, but I think it is important that we continue to study how we can best grow without losing that which makes us special.