Wylie L. Hamrick

For most of my career, the textile industry has been a major part of SC's economy. It still is, with 18 major company headquarters in the State.

One of the headquarter companies is Hamrick Mills. It was formed as Limestone Mills in January, 1900 to manuafacture window shade cloth. Dr. Wylie C. Hamrick, a physician who owned drug stores, a dry goods store, and chaired the committee that oversaw the fromation of Cherokee County in 1897, was named the first CEO. Five generations of Hamricks have since managed the company. It is still headquartered in Gaffney, SC.

Dr. Hamrick's grandson, Wylie L. Hamrick, is a member of the Rotary Club of Gaffney, as are his son, grandson andone other family member. Wylie L. Hamrick is an iconic businessman, leader, and benefactor in the Cherokee County community. A graduate of Clemson University (1950), Mr. Hamrick has served as Chairman of the Board and Director of Hamrick Mills, Inc. He has been a significant part of Limestone College for nearly 30 years as a member of the College's Board of Trustees and Chair of the Fullerton Foundation. He received an honorary Doctor of Public Service award from Limestone in 2001.

We need to sing hosannas to textile companies that have maintained their SC roots in spite of global and economic pressures to do something else. Hamrick Mills is one of those companies.

Today, I had the honor of presenting Wylie Hamrick with a clock celebrating 50 years of perfect attendance from the Rotary Club of Gaffney. July, 1959 to July, 2009. Thank you, Wylie, for all you have done for Rotary, for Gaffney and for the state of South Carolina.