Foundation Board

Dale J. Aren

Dale Aren grew up in coastal New Jersey, graduated with honors from Ohio University, and moved to the Lowcountry in 1994. She started her career in advertising at a daily newspaper in College Station, Texas. Following her ambition to work for a consumer products company, she moved to Houston, Texas to take a job with The Seven-Up Company, working her way up to VP Marketing. She moved on to work for Advertising and PR firms in Houston, Greensboro, and Charlotte. Dale started her own marketing company in 1991, consulting with clients Weyerhaeuser and The Coca Cola Company among others. Dale recently retired to spend more time on her volunteer activities. Dale is an avid outdoor and nature enthusiast. Kayaking, skiing, hiking, wildlife photography, and environmental protection are favorite endeavors. She volunteered with the Center for Birds of Prey for injured bird rescue and with their renesting program. Dale is currently a volunteer with The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources working with scientists on Diamondback Terrapin research. Dale lives in Edgewater Park, in West Ashley with her husband, Scott Allan.

Jason Barton

Jason grew up in Massachusetts. He attended college at Worcester State University receiving a bachelor’s degree in communications. While attending college, he also served in the Army National Guard as an 11Bravo infantryman 1/181st receiving specialized training as a combat lifesaver. Jason is currently a Realtor with eXp Realty in Charleston. He and his wife Jennifer and their son moved to Charleston in 2017. Jason and his family enjoy the area’s beaches, golf, restaurants, and history.

Krista Barnes

Krista Barnes was born in rural Pennsylvania. She played collegiate soccer at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania before moving to Colorado where she briefly attended the University of Colorado. She graduated with a degree in Political Science with a minor in Business and Middle Eastern Studies from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. In 2001, she relocated to Mount Pleasant, SC where she met and married Greg Barnes, a former Clemson University football player. They are blessed to have three children, Dixon, Ainsley, and and Dorothy. She has worked as a realtor for Dunes Properties of Charleston since 2009. Her involvement in the community also includes volunteering as a reading tutor to illiterate adults in Wilmington, NC, supporting the Alzheimer’s Association, and volunteering for the Special Olympics.

Shannon Brigham

Lowcountry native Shannon Brigham graduated from Winthrop University with a degree in English/professional communication and a minor in journalism. She has been an editor of multiple publications, including Lowcountry Parent magazine, and wrote a weekly column and lifestyle articles for The Post & Courier. Her volunteer work includes serving on the board of FamilyCorps, on the certification committee for Greater Women’s Business Council, and planning committee for the Toys for Tots Gala fundraiser for the town of Mount Pleasant. She’s also been active with Make-A-Wish Foundation, Mt. Pleasant Therapeutic Recreation, Charleston County Schools and more. She is currently the executive administrative assistant at Cape Romain Contractors, Inc. Shannon and her son live in Mt. Pleasant.

Gary Christmas

Gary Christmas is the founder and managing partner of Christmas Injury Lawyers, LLC and has been featured in publications and media outlets such as CNN, CBS News, ABC News, NBC News, USA Today, The Post and Courier, The State Newspaper, Work Comp Central and South Carolina Lawyer's Weekly, just to name a few. He obtained a $10,000,000.00 settlement in the Jamal Sutherland case which is the largest Civil Rights settlement in the history of South Carolina. His practice is dedicated to protecting the rights of the injured and their families, including representing those injured on the job under the South Carolina Workers Compensation Act, the Federal Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, the Defense Base Act, the Federal Employees Liability Act, and Jones Act Seamen. Gary is a Certified Circuit Court Mediator who has practiced law for over 25 years and takes great pride in developing meaningful relationships with his clients and other professionals.

Jacquelyn Smashum Heyward

Jackie is celebrating 50 years of marriage to James Lee Heyward with whom they share children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A proud product of Baptist Hill High School, a graduate of St. Augustine’s College with a BA degree and Winthrop University, with a Master’s degree, and further studies at The Citadel. Her career spanned over 30 years as a teacher and guidance counselor in Charleston County. Some of her proudest moments are seeing her former students blossom into the adults of their chosen paths. After retirement, her decision to continue to serve her community lead to being elected Mayor of the Town of Hollywood for 12 years.  During which time, many opportunities were created for recreational activities through the development of community parks.

Lisa King

Lisa King grew up in the Lowcountry. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and furthered her studies with a master’s degree in computer resources and information management. Lisa is employed as a Senior Systems Analyst for Charleston Water Systems. Lisa was first appointed to the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission in 2004. She served as Vice Chair from 2005 to 2006, and served as Chair from 2008-2010. During her tenure, she also chaired the Finance Committee and the Planning and Development Committee. Lisa is actively involved with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she serves over 46 chapters in SC as the State Coordinator, and serves on a national committee of the international membership organization. She is also a chapter officer for The Charleston (SC) Chapter of the Links Inc. Lisa and her husband, John, have two children and one granddaughter.

Seth A. Levy

Seth Levy was born and raised in Union, New Jersey.  He attended University of Rochester (B.A. 1981) and then West Virginia College of Law (J.D. 1984).  His early career focused on energy and environmental law.  He worked for Ebasco Environmental in the late 1980's, a Manhattan law firm in the early 1990's, and then AEGIS Insurance, a captive of the gas and electric utility industries in the mid to late 1990's.  He retired from law and moved to Mount Pleasant with his wife Heidi and two young children in August of 1998.  From 1998 to 2015, he owned with his wife Heidi a very successful floor services company called Maxcare Floor Care.  After Heidi died from cancer in 2015 and with two teenage children, he became a South Carolina lawyer and opened his law office in late 2017, specializing in Estate Planning and Probate Administration.  He has an office in Mount Pleasant and West Ashley and employs two paralegals and a legal assistant.  His son Sammy is 27 years old and lives in San Fransisco and his daughter Ellie is 23 years old and attends Brandeis University.  Seth lives in the Old Hobcaw section of Mount Pleasant.  For relaxation, Seth plays old man's basketball and backpacks in the mountains.  

Ronald Ravenell

Ronald A. Ravenell graduated from Claflin University in 1970 with a B.A. Degree in Social Studies. He also earned a Master’ s Degree in Health Care Administration and Human Resources from Webster University, St. Louis, MO. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served two (2) years on active duty stationed on board the USS Columbus CG-12, Norfolk, Virginia/Roto Spain and four (4) years in the Naval Reserves. He was employed at Franklin C. Fetter Family Health Center, Inc., Charleston, SC as a Health Advocate, Administrative Assistant to the Medical Director, and Operations Manager for fifteen (15) years, St. James-Santee Family Health Center, McClellanville, SC as Executive Director for fourteen (14) years, Sea Island Comprehensive Health Care Corporation, Johns Island, SC as Executive Director for three (3) years and returned to Franklin C. Fetter Family Health Center, Inc. for seven (7) years as Executive Director. He retired from the health care profession in 2013. He is a member of First See Wee Missionary Baptist Church, Awendaw, SC, Prince Hall Lodge No. 46, Free and Accepted Masons, and Beta Kappa Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is married to Thelma L. Brown-Ravenell and they are the proud parents of Rhonda Alicia, Dr. Rahn Antonio (Dr. Tamika) and they have two (2) grandsons, Rahn Antonio Jr. (RJ) and Roman Andrew.

Frannie Reese

Frannie Reese is a native of Charleston. She attended Ashley Hall and went on to graduate from the College of Charleston with a B.S. in sociology and minor in physical education and health. She worked for the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau and then became a stay-at-home mom. Frannie has served on the Sullivan’s Island Parks Foundation Board, Ashley Hall Alumnae Board and The Charleston Day Parent Council Board. She was also a coach for Girls on the Run International. She loves the outdoors, but her true passion is teaching swimming.  She began teaching neighborhood children in 1981, in her parents’ backyard pool and still teaches privately to children and adults out of her home. Frannie and her husband, Tim, live on Sullivan’s Island and have four children.

Stephanie Monroe Tillerson

Ms. Tillerson is currently the Town Administrator for the Town of Kiawah Island, where her responsibilities include but are not limited to running the Town's day-to-day operations.  Before joining the Town of Kiawah Island, she was the City Manager for the City of Woodruff, the Planning Director for the City of Spartanburg, Director of Upstate Forever Spartanburg Office, and Planning Director for Laurens County and the City of Clinton. She is a graduate of the Leadership Charleston class of 2017.  She served on numerous Boards and Committees. She served as a Director at Large for the Junior League of Charleston from 2018 – 2020.  She currently serves on the Barrier Island Free Medical Clinic and the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center.  Stephanie holds a bachelor's degree in public affairs management and a master's degree in urban and regional planning, both from Michigan State University.  She also has a master's degree in public administration from the University of South Carolina.