Success Profiles

Edie Hardin credits Tri-County for her leadership skills and successful nursing career.
	When she entered Tri-County for the second time as a mother of two and recently laid-off worker from a manufacturing plant, Edie decided she wanted to be more than just a student. She wanted to be a leader in an organization, a volunteer on campus, and a student advocate. Her determination paid off with numerous local and State level honors, including serving as SGA president, president of the Student Nurses Association, and being named to Who’s Who Among American Junior Colleges. She also was awarded the President’s Award of Excellence at the 2006 State Student Nurses Association conference. She earned her associate’s degree in Nursing in 2007 and today is employed as a Registered Nurse in the Coronary Care Unit at AnMed Health in Anderson, S.C.
Dr. Cheryl Allmon tells everyone that Tri-County started her on the path to a doctorate and a successful career in human resources.
	Cheryl Allmon, a 1977 graduate of the Textile Management Technology program and human resources manager for Johnson Controls in Seneca, received the College’s 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award highlighting her dedication to her alma mater. Cheryl Allmon says the two years she spent at Tri-County Technical College in the late 1970’s inspired her to grow academically and personally, and she credits the College with igniting her quest for lifelong learning. After graduation, she continued her education at Limestone College and earned a Business Management degree in 1983. She received her master’s degree in Business Management from Southern Wesleyan University in 2003 and moved right into the doctoral program at Kennedy Western University, where she earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Business Administration in August 2005. Today, she encourages employees at Johnston Controls to enroll at Tri-County to get the education they need to be successful in life and work.
Darrell Hill serves the community as a law enforcement officer and finds satisfaction in helping people.
	Darrell graduated from Tri-County in 1988 with an associate degree in public service (Criminal Justice). Shortly after beginning his studies, he completed an internship with the City of Anderson Police Department and then took a position with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. He worked on his Tri-County degree for twelve years, taking classes part-time as he could fit them in around his work schedule. Today, after numerous promotions, he’s one of nine lieutenants with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Darrell says working in law enforcement is his dream job, and the best part is knowing he’s making an important contribution to the community.
Ron Fleming believes he’s found the perfect job as a wildlife technician, and that studying electronics helped him get started.
	Ron graduated from Tri-County in 1981 with an associate degree in industrial technology (Industrial Electronics Technology). Earning his degree helped him get a promotion in the agricultural department at Clemson University, but after talking to a biologist with the SC Department of Natural Resources, Ron realized his dream job would be working as a wildlife technician. Even though there are few jobs in this field, Ron managed to get one in our area. He has worked for the Department of Natural Resources for 10 years now and manages over 8000 acres of forest for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. Ron says that in his job he uses everything he learned in school, from the electronics classes he took at Tri-County to the agricultural classes he took at Clemson while working there. Ron enjoys his job so much that when he’s at home, he spends time doing the same thing he does at work – growing crops to see what kind of wildlife he attracts to the land.
Grayson Dove directs the news for a top-rated television station and works on adding another college degree to his list of credentials.
	Grayson is Director/Technical Director at WYFF-4, the NBC affiliate for the Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson television market. Grayson graduated from Tri-County in 2000 with an associate degree in industrial technology (Radio and Television Broadcasting). While studying at Tri-County, he applied for a position as production assistant at WYFF-4, and after four promotions, Grayson now directs newscasts for the station. Grayson says that if someone had told him in years past that he’d be a Director/Technical Director for the number one television station in the 35th largest market in the country, he never would have believed it! Grayson is continuing his education at Anderson College where he was able to transfer many credit hours from Tri-County towards his bachelor’s degree in journalism.
Eddie McDowell enjoys a great job as an electronics technician, thanks to solid career planning.
	Eddie could have spent his senior year in high school flipping burgers, but instead, he accepted an apprenticeship position at Ryobi and gained valuable experience in industry that will go with him for the rest of his life. After high school graduation, Eddie kept his apprenticeship while attending Tri-County in the Industrial Electronics Technology program. Soon after graduating with an associate degree in industrial technology, he got a job as an electronics technician at BMW where he is responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting equipment that is used in the production of BMW X5s and Z4s. With his knowledge in robotics, electronics, computers, mechanics, maintenance, and engineering, Eddie even re-designs equipment if he needs to. Eddie says that he never would have believed he’d be making such a great salary and benefits at his age, but by staying on a solid career path and getting the education and work experience he needed, Eddie’s career could not be on more solid ground!
Valerie Ramsey stays focused on her goals and achieves educational success as well as career satisfaction in university administration.
	Valerie believes that it's not always how you start out, but how you finish that really counts. And she’s living proof! Valerie dropped out of high school and returned to Tri-County in the 1970's through the Comprehensive Manpower Programs. She later took University Transfer classes during lunch and evenings while working as a secretary at Clemson University. Several years after Valerie received her Associate in Arts degree in 1988, she enrolled in Southern Wesleyan University where she earned a B.S. in Human Resource Management. In 1995 she earned her Master of Arts degree in Human Resource Development from Clemson University and a doctorate in 2003. Today, Valerie is chief business officer for the College of Health, Education and Human Development at Clemson University and the university's first black female business officer.
Donna Baker enjoys the challenges and opportunities of working in human resources.
	Donna believes her associate degree opened the doors to the success she enjoys today. She started taking classes at Tri-County in 1981 while still in high school and working part-time for Sears. After graduating in 1983 with her Management degree, she decided to take University Transfer classes before entering Winthrop University. She then received a promotion at Sears and accepted a position at their credit center in Charlotte, thanks to her Tri-County degree. That job helped her pay for her bachelor’s degree. In 1999, she earned a master’s degree in Human Resource Development from Clemson University. Today, Donna is a senior manager of human resources and general affairs at Associated Fuel Pump Systems Corporation in Anderson.
Jack Gregory finds limitless possibilities as an Internet entrepreneur.
	Jack’s career path has taken some interesting turns over the years, but his latest success isn’t something that he could have predicted--even in his wildest dreams! After earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Journalism, performing public affairs assignments all over the world, and a 27-year career in the Air Force, he’s now a successful Internet entrepreneur. In 1999, Jack decided to go in an entirely new career direction and entered Tri-County’s Computer Technology program. He also started a small home business selling pet supplies. After finishing courses in Internet Communications, he decided to create a website for his business, and things really started to take off! Jack graduated from Tri-County in 2000 with a degree in Computer Technology. Today, he’s enjoying all the challenges and rewards of being a successful business owner.
Allen Shevey and Bob Fellers partner up to run a successful welding business.
	When Allen Shevey entered Tri-County’s welding program in 1989, he quickly learned to admire the expertise and attention to detail that his instructor, Bob Fellers, applied to various class projects. As owner of Fellers Welding in Anderson and a graduate of Tri-County’s welding program, Bob certainly knew what he was talking about, and that also impressed Allen. After graduating from Tri-County in 1995, Allen worked as a welder for a local company but teamed up with Bob on outside projects whenever possible. Before long, Bob asked Allen to become a partner in Fellers Welding. They make a great team--Bob oversees the fabrication shop and quality control while Allen handles sales and public relations. Today, Bob Fellers is a certified welding inspector as well as a successful business owner. And Allen Shevey enjoys the diversity of his work--welding and business, the best of both worlds.
Vignir Stefansson excelled in his College studies and sets his sights on the 2008 Olympics
	Vignir has always had at least two dreams for his future-to compete in the Olympics and to get a college education. He achieved one dream, and is on his way to making the other one come true. In 2002, Vignir and his wife left their native Iceland for the United States to pursue their degrees. She entered Clemson University, but Vignir wanted a small college where he wouldn’t "get lost in the system," so he decided to pursue a Business Management degree at Tri-County. Vignir excelled in his studies and was named to the President’s List, "Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges," and the Alpha Zeta Beta honor society. While working on his Tri-County degree, Vignir continued his rigorous training in Judo. (He’s competed all over the world). Vignir graduated from Tri-County in May 2004 and quickly entered several Judo competitions in Europe in preparation for the 2004 Olympics in Athens. While he didn’t land a spot on Iceland’s Olympic Team, he came close – and he’s already set his sights on Peking for 2008.
Billie Walker uses her education and experience to help others enter careers in Veterinary Technology.
	Billie Walker has always had a love for animals and a passion for nursing. She turned those attributes into a career that has brought her lots of interesting challenges and a sense of personal satisfaction. After graduating from Tri-County in 1982 with an associate degree in Veterinary Technology, Billie spent many years in private practice. She returned to Tri-County in 1996 as a part-time instructor in Veterinary Technology as a way to broaden her experience and to help others enter the career field she loves so much. In 2003, the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians presented Billie with its Technician of the Year award. She currently serves as the president of that same organization. Billie has recently embarked on a new phase of her career–teaching full-time for Athens Technical College in Athens, Georgia.