Richland Sertoma Club Officers for 2010 - 2011

International Director

Chris Thomas

Wade Hampton District Governor

Steven is a native Columbian. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts. He believes that his active commitment to community service clearly stems from his mother and late father, who by their own examples taught him the importance of giving back to one’s community. Steven currently serves as Governor for the Wade Hampton District of Sertoma Inc. and a member of the Board of Trustees for Camp Sertoma of South Carolina. His accomplishments with the Richland Sertoma Club include previously serving as Board Chair, President, President-Elect, Secretary, Co-Chair of the Membership and Social Committees and receiving Good Enthusiastic Member (GEM), Mentor and Leadership Awards, and is a Life Member of the Club. He is married to Sally, the father of three daughters - Suzanne, Leah and Ariana, and the grandfather of Ian, Gabriela and Cole. In addition to his leadership in the Richland Sertoma Club, Steven is a Past Chair of the Board Enrichment Committee of Children’s Chance and a charter member of the Men's Club at his synagogue, the Tree of Life Congregation. Having actively served on several non-profit boards over the years, most recently Steven was a member of the Board of Directors of Tree of Life Synagogue, the Katie and Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center and the Columbia Holocaust Memorial Monument Committee. In his spare time, Steven enjoys listening to just about all kinds of music, staying abreast of current events, as well as cooking and eating good food and spending quality time with his family and friends.

Board Chair

About eight miles from Sutter’s Mill, where California’s 1848 gold rush began, lies the Sierra foothill town of Camino where Eric grew up working on his families’ apple farm.  After high school Eric joined the United States Coast Guard and served as a helicopter crewman stationed in Savannah.  After the service, Eric returned to California to attend the University of California at Santa Barbara where he graduated with a degree in Political Science. Three years of living on the beach, wearing swim trunks and flip flops every day finally took their toll and Eric, realizing that he would eventually need a job,  moved to Columbia to attend the University of South Carolina School of Law.  Since that time Eric has worked throughout South Carolina as an attorney and is presently in solo practice in Columbia.  He is married to the beautiful Tresa and has a wonderful 3 year old son named Reed.  In his spare time he enjoys writing and playing music, reading, building stuff in his wood shop, and playing with Reed.

President 

Linda Etheredge

Linda Etheredge is a born and bred South Carolinian, born and raised in Wampee, South Carolina which is now North Myrtle Beach.  After high school, she attended what was then, Horry, Marion, Georgetown Technical School for a one year business degree.  In the fall of 1968 she left the farm life and made her way to the big city of Columbia to earn her fortune.  She landed a job with Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company and wound up staying for thirty one years until she retired in 1999.  She didn’t stay retired and now works for a small private family CPA firm in Middleburg Office Park.

She started dating her husband at Christmas 1968 but they didn’t marry until February 1973.  In 1984 her husband Steve joined the Richland Sertoma Club.  At that time, women were not permitted as members in Sertoma, but Linda became involved with Steve and worked at all of the Richland’s club fundraisers.  She and Steve started attending Regional and International conventions, but Linda was always registered as a spouse.  In the early 90's, Linda joined Sertoma.  She wanted to expand their circle of Sertoman’s so she joined the Regal Sertoma Club.  Steve was District Governor at the time when the Regal Sertoma Club was chartered.  Linda had attended their charter banquet as a spouse.  She was president and then secretary of this club for several years.  She then was part of the building of the Capital City Sertoma Club as a charter member.  She was also secretary of that Club for most of the time in that club.  During her time in the other two clubs, Linda continued to work at all of the Richland club fundraisers.  Linda also served as District Governor for the Wade Hampton District of Sertoma in 1996 - 1997.

When the Capital City club dwindled Linda moved her membership to the Richland Sertoma Club.  She didn’t attend meetings for a couple years because of job location but she continued to be active in all fundraisers.  When she took her current job, she was able to become a regular member but took a couple years off from any leadership position to just enjoy being a member.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, working in the yard and traveling.  She and Steve have no children.  They are active in their church, holding leadership roles there also.

President Elect

John Govan
 

Vice President for Membership & Programs

Vice President for Sponsorship Grants

Secretary

Sargeant-at-Arms