The first person (after AG Claire Kuhl and Club President Jessie Tindall) to greet me when I visted Abbeville was Nancy King. With a hug. I like hugs.
Nancy was not on the Board, but sat through the Board meeting. Nancy said she needed to talk to me after the meeting.
She wanted to tell me about Boyce Gladden, Rotary Exchange Student to Taiwan from Abbeville. Boyce spoke to the club last week and is thrilled with her opportunity. Nancy gave me the latest copy of the Abbeville Press and Banner highlighting Boyce's presentation.
She then told me about the School District requesting Rotarians to get involved with K5 students who were significantly behind in reading skills. A dozen Rotarians volunteered to spend one day per week tutoring these disadvantaged students. She teared up telling about giving one of her students the first book he had ever owned.
Perhaps the real story is Nancy King. She worked for 25 years doing title searches for a lawyer in Abbeville. She then ran for and was elected Clerk of Courts for Abbeville County. She held that job for 28 years. I am told that she took great pride in being the designated person in Abbeville County willing to help anyone with anything.
Nancy says that if she goes to the grocery store, it takes an hour to get out. As I left the Dutch Oven Restaurant in Abbeville, everyone in the restaurant knew her. Passerbys on the sidewalk outside knew her. Her two grandchildren know her well.
Nancy King has spent her life helping others. An ordinary person doing extraordinary things. I left with a hug. I like hugs.
About the DG
George W. Fletcher
Governor, Rotary District 7750
2009-2010
George Fletcher’s Rotary experience includes President of the Rotary Club of Greenville, Assistant Governor, District Secretary and Chair of the Centennial Celebration in 2005. He is a Paul Harris Fellow, a member of both the Bequest Society and Paul Harris Society and a Major Donor.
His real job is Executive Director for the SC Council on Competitiveness, a non profit created to implement a long term economic development strategy in the state. Prior to that, he was President of Fletcher Group, Inc. a group of engineering and environmental management companies. He is a professional engineer and a diplomate in the American Academy of Environmental Engineers.
He has been deeply involved in the community, having served as Chair of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and Co-Chair (with his wife) of the Greenville County United Way Campaign. He has served his profession as President of the American Council of Engineering Companies - SC. Over his career, he has served on some 15 Boards and Commissions.
He has been recognized as the SC Engineer of the Year in 1999 by the SC Society of Professional Engineers and as Greenville Business Person of the Year in 2000 by Greenville Magazine.
George and his wife Sarah have been married for 38 years. They have two children and three grandchildren.
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