November 30, 2023

Ilias Alimohamed is the plant manager at Autoneum North America, Inc in Aiken, SC. Autoneum is an automotive manufacturer which specializes in producing noise reduction components for automobiles. 

Alimohamed has worked for multiple low and high volume manufacturing industries including Milliken, Siemens, Caterpillar, Pure Power Technology and Sauer Brands. He has experience in human resources, purchasing, supply chain, profit and loss forecasting, cost analysis and cost reduction, efficiencies and scrap reduction, optimizing workflows, Lean & Six Sigma methodologies, team building and employee motivation, coaching and mentoring.

Alimohamed attended the University of South Carolina and earned degrees in accounting and electrical engineering.

Michael Budney served as an officer aboard four submarines and three ships, commanding both a Trident submarine and later a submarine tender in La Maddalena, Italy. After retiring from the Navy, he spent 6 years with the Northrop Grumman Corporation developing missile defense, electronic warfare and undersea surveillance systems. 

In his first DOE assignment Budney was director of the office of business operations in the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. In early 2018, he was assigned as manager of the Savannah River Operations Office. Budney is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Naval Postgraduate School and the University of Maryland University College.  

Caroline Garcia has been an active member of our community since moving to Aiken in 2011. Aiken is where she met her husband, Corey, who owns and operates a local landscaping company. It is also where they have chosen to settle and raise their two boys, Sawyer (8) and Winston (5).

Garcia is a professional at Coward & McNeill Real Estate, LLC, where she focuses on commercial leasing and sales with a focus on investment and income producing real estate as well as commercial development land. 

Caroline is a member of the Board for the Kiwanis Club of Aiken and aims to support her community to the best of her abilities.  

Curt Hanna is the strategic business advisor with Austin & Pethick Law Firm and is also a commercial real estate agent with Meybohm Commercial Properties.

With a background in launching, owning, and selling businesses, Curt actively manages successful expansions. Alongside his wife, Morgan, he owns a real estate company and engages in various real estate and business ventures.

A former church planter and pastor, his diverse experiences contribute to robust interpersonal and management skills. Passionate about overcoming startup challenges and devising innovative solutions, Curt leverages his Commercial Real Estate expertise to guide clients in portfolio growth.

Hanna attributes his success to his faith and his family. 

Carmen L. Landy is an advisor, consultant, coach, and proven nonprofit leader with 28 years of experience in victim services, grant writing, capacity building, and innovation. As the owner and CEO of Landy Dynamic Solutions, LLC, Landy provides professional and executive coaching as well as consults and advises nonprofit agencies on capacity-building and training by using practical approaches to leadership which encourages gains in mission-driven effectiveness and financial sustainability.

Landy is an Aiken native and proud Howard University alum; she holds a BA in Human Communications Studies/Legal Communications with a business minor. She earned a Master of Public Administration from Augusta State University and is now a Ph.D. candidate in Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of South Carolina.

This will be Landy’s second term on the Chamber’s board of directors. 

Matthew Merrifield is the chief executive officer at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. In this role, Merrifield is responsible for driving the growth and performance of the hospital, as well as providing strategic direction and oversight to help ensure the highest quality of patient care and safety. He is also responsible for driving growth among service lines and cultivating relationships with community leaders and businesses.

Merrifield has more than 13 years of experience in healthcare leadership. He earned his Master of Business Administration from Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina and his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from West Virginia University.

Merrifield joined the board of directors in November 2022 to fill an unexpired term. This will be Merrifield’s first full term on the board.

Brian Sanders assumed the role of Aiken County Administrator in July of 2023, capping off three decades of dedicated service to the community in which he was raised.

After graduating from Midland Valley High School, Sanders’ journey to leadership began with a bachelor's degree in administrative management from Clemson University.

Early in his career, he co-founded a restaurant and later contributed to his brother's home improvement business. Sanders joined Aiken County in 1993 as a park supervisor, steadily advancing through various roles within the organization. In 2008, he was appointed assistant county administrator and in 2019 became the county’s deputy administrator.

Known for his extensive knowledge and cooperative approach, Sanders, is a dedicated professional who emphasizes continuity in good governance, customer service, and efficiency.

Sanders will fill the ex-officio seat for the Aiken County Administrator on the Chamber board. 

The Aiken Chamber of Commerce, Aiken’s leading business organization, has initiated an executive search for its next president and chief executive officer. David Jameson, the leader of the Aiken Chamber for the past 18 years, announced last month his plans to retire at the end of February 2024 on the 50^th anniversary of his career.

Charlie Hartz, 2024 chair of the Aiken Chamber and owner of The Village Café and Scenthound, will lead the executive search committee. Other members of the committee are: Representative Bart Blackwell, B & S Machine Tool; Dr. Catina Broadwater, Broadwater-Toole Realty; Norman Dunagan, Dumpster Depot; Monica Key, Bridgestone; Joe Lewis, Security Federal Bank; and Ryan Reynolds, H. G. Reynolds Company.

“The committee has broken the executive search process into three phases,” Hartz says. “The first phase is now complete. Interviews were held with over 25 business, community, and government leaders to hear their thoughts on what the chamber needs in terms of the next leader and what that professional should be focusing on during their first few years.”

The second phase of the process will be spent identifying and casting the net for candidates who fit the skill sets and character traits the search committee is seeking. Proven leadership skills, business experience, a well-balanced communicator, a visionary, and a strategic thinker are some of the qualities the group will be looking for. In additional to personal contacts, a nationwide search will be conducted utilizing postings with various associations like the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

“The final phase of the executive search process will be the most important,” according to Hartz. “The vetting of the candidates will be critical in order to make sure the chamber understands the background of the individuals interviewed, their visions, and strategic thinking processes. Finding the right person is more important than a timeline to the search committee.”

The Aiken Chamber has retained The Chason Group, an executive search firm specializing in chambers of commerce, to lead the executive search process. Candidates interested in applying for the president and chief executive officer position may upload a cover letter and a copy of their resume at www.thechasongroup.com. All cover letters and resumes must be received no later than January 2, 2024. The most qualified candidates will receive a detailed application to complete prior to the interview process. The anticipated start date for the position is February/March 2024.

The holidays are here, and that means shopping. Everyone is looking for those special gifts for folks on their nice list, and the Aiken Chamber knows just where you can find those gifts….in Aiken

The Chamber’s BUY AIKEN - RED TICKET campaign urges shoppers to spend money in Aiken. And to make shopping in Aiken even more appealing, shoppers are being rewarded with potential cash prizes.

When you make a purchase of $25 or more from a participating business, you will receive a numbered red ticket. These tickets are entered into weekly drawings that begin at $100 in the first week and increase to three $1,000 awards. In total, $5,000 in cash prizes will be given out during the campaign, which runs from November 1 to December 18. Additionally, our sponsor Bridgestone has included a complete set of new tires in the grand prize drawing this year.

The BUY AIKEN-RED TICKET campaign was started after the pandemic as an initiative that encouraged our neighbors to step back from online shopping and step into our locally owned stores to complete their holiday shopping. In the first two years, over 120,000 red tickets were given away, equating to over $3 million spent locally through the campaign.

“Our members tell us they need people in their doors spending money. This campaign not only encourages buying in Aiken, but it is also a fun way to boost sales and reward shoppers with cash prizes,” said Chamber President/CEO J. David Jameson.

Follow @aikenchamber on Facebook and tune in every Monday at 4:45 p.m. for the weekly drawing. Winning ticket numbers will also be posted at www.aikenchamber.net. The grand prize drawing for three $1,000 prizes and the Bridgestone tires will be held Monday, December 18 at 4:45 p.m.

When you “Buy Aiken” you help Aiken businesses provide jobs for your neighbors and friends. When you “Buy Aiken”, you help fund city services such as road maintenance and funding for schools through sales tax dollars. When you “Buy Aiken”, you support those who support your children’s sports and area non-profits. When you “Buy Aiken”, you are investing in the character and prosperity of your hometown now and for the future. When you “Buy Aiken” from November 1 to December 18 you could win cash…and we know where you can spend it if you do.

“Small businesses are the heart and soul of Aiken. Join me to “Buy Aiken” everyday, but especially during the holidays,” said Jameson.

A ticket with the winning number must be presented to the Aiken Chamber of Commerce at 121 Richland Ave. E, Aiken, SC 29801 in person within 7 days of the drawing. Winners must be 18 years of age or older. A winning ticket not redeemed by the next drawing will be considered void and is not redeemable. Unclaimed prize money will be added to the drawing the following week. Weekly winners are not excluded from the grand prize drawings but are excluded from further weekly drawings. The winning grand prize tickets must be claimed by Wednesday, December 27, at 5 p.m. All winners agree to have their name and image used in Aiken Chamber of Commerce publications including newspaper articles, newsletters, website and social media. Taxes on prizes are the responsibility of the winner. 

#BuyAiken, #ShopSmall, #SmallBizSat

Big Red Barn – Event Facility

Charming and rustic, the Big Red Barn was voted Aiken’s top-rated wedding & event venue!

187 Chime Bell Church Road

Aiken, SC 29803

Contact: Sean & Erin Douglas

Phone: (803) 292-9239

www.bigredbarnsc.com

The Chason Group – Consulting Services

We are prepared to assist chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, foundations, destination marketing organizations, convention and visitors bureaus, and other non-profit entities in identifying qualified individuals to serve in leadership roles. The personal approach and successful process provided makes the difference.

40 Westchester Drive

Cartersville, GA 30120

Contact: Tim Chason

Phone: (404) 735-0540

www.thechasongroup.com

Chico Taxes LLC – Tax Preparation

We provide tax preparation and resolution work in all states.

252 Mount Calvary Road

Trenton, SC 29847

Contact: Yenisley Diaz

Phone: (803) 648-7336

www.chicotaxes.com

Dukes Bar-B-Que – Restaurant

We slowly smoke our pork shoulders at a low temperature to create a consistent product. Our shoulders continue to cook for up to 18 hours to achieve the proper temperature. We reworked our barbecue temperatures and cook times in 2017 to create a more juicy, and tender product. Our hash is a 45 year old family recipe which is very similar to the original Dukes recipe.

4248 Whiskey Road

Aiken, SC 29803

Contact: Christian Judy

Phone: (803) 649-7675

www.dukesbbqaiken.com

Ivey Homes – Builders and Construction (Residential)

An award winning local regional developer, home builder serving the area since 2004.

672 Industrial Park Drive, Suite 200

Evans, GA 30809

Contact: Caroline Ashe

Phone: (706) 868-9363

www.iveyhomes.com

LightStream Productions – Weddings

We are proud to offer full in-house: DJs – ministers, AV services, lighting for weddings and corporate events.

Warrenville, SC 29851

Contact: Mel Minitor

Phone: (803) 226-3706

www.lsweddingdj.com

MGX Equipment – Equipment Sales & Service

We sell and rent new and used cranes. We also have a complete parts and service department, MGX rebuilds cranes from the ground up.

3280 Charleston Highway

Aiken, SC 29801

Contact: David Courtney

Phone: (803) 864-2840

www.mgxequipment.com/aiken-sc/

On the Spot Mobile RV Service, LLC – Automotive Repairs

We are a mobile service to repair all of your RV needs from top to bottom. We provide annual maintenance, roof inspections, AC and Furnace issues, and leaks.

6224 High Top Lane

Aiken, SC 29801

Contact: Jarrod Marsh

Phone: (803) 634-5577

Palisades at Langley Pond – Apartment Community

Brand new community, located perfectly between Aiken and Augusta. Giving our residents the best of both communities.

4020 Furlong Circle

Graniteville, SC 29829

Contact: Hope Bryant

Phone: (803) 353-5773

www.palisadesatlangleypond.com

Preserve at Lauren’s Creek – Apartment Community

Cozy community located five minutes from historic downtown Aiken, with 24/7 maintenance and an onsite management team.

2000 Glen Arbor Court

Aiken, SC 29801

Contact: Toni Smith

Phone: (803) 233-0060

www.preserveatlaurenscreek.com

Rosewood at Aiken – Apartment Community

Hidden gem of Aiken, perfect location to be in the middle of all Aiken has to offer while still feeling like a small town.

128 Majestic Oak Way

Aiken, SC 29801

Contact: Toni Smith

Phone: (854) 999-7566

www.rosewoodataiken.com

Southern Carolina Palms & More, LLC – Landscape Supply

We offer a wide variety of palms and plants to enhance the beauty of your home or business. Our selection includes Sabel Palms, Windmills, up to 6 feet, European, Pindo, and Chinese fan palms, as well as a variety of other plants to suit your needs.

22 Gunter Road

Aiken, SC 29803

Contact: Jonathan Lupton

Phone: (803) 918-5825

https://southerncarolinapalmsandmore.com/

The Summits – Apartment Community

Located right next to Aiken Technical College, perfectly centered between Aiken and Augusta.

2170 Jefferson Davis Highway

Graniteville, SC 29829

Contact: Toni Smith

Phone: (803) 710-4624

www.liveatthesummits.com

Town Square Publications – Media

Custom Print and digital publications, advertising, marketing, chamber – directories and maps.

1515 Bottomwood Drive

Hebron, KY 41048

Contact: Philip Hageman

Phone: (859) 640-0231

www.townsquarepublications.com