Healthy Learners adds new officers to board of trustees

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Tags: Healthy Learners , Outreach

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Healthy Learners recently announced a new slate of officers to its board of trustees for the next two years. The new officers are: Chairman Matthew Roberts of Nexsen Pruet, LLC; Vice Chairman Deborah D. Locklair of McLeod Health; Secretary Cleo F. Richardson of the Pee Dee Education Center; and Treasurer Rich Williams of Unum US.

Healthy Learners is a faith-based nonprofit that connects children to care so that poor health is not an obstacle to doing well in school. The organization addresses poverty at its root, so that future generations can lift themselves, and their communities, to a better life.

“The Healthy Learners Board members are responsible for governing and acting in the best interest of the organization,” said Jo Pauling-Jones, executive director of Healthy Learners. “The members who serve on the board give of their time, talent, skills and experiences to advance the mission and accomplish the vision of Healthy Learners, and we are truly grateful to them for their willingness to be servant leaders.”

Matthew Roberts

Roberts is the chair of Nexsen Pruet’s Health Care team. He focuses his practice on board governance issues, physician/hospital relationships, managed care issues, fraud and abuse matters, health care contracts, issues related to tax-exempt hospitals, issues related to development and operation of clinically integrated networks, false claims analysis and defense and work on regulatory and legislative matters involving health care. Roberts frequently advises hospitals regarding relationships with physicians ranging from single service agreements to development of integrated physician networks and other collaborative arrangements. He has extensive experience advising health care clients regarding issues related to board governance matters including executive compensation, conflict of interest policies and Board involvement in compliance and quality related issues. Roberts holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and a juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina’s School of Law.

“I have had the privilege of having served as a volunteer, supporter and board member for Healthy Learners for over a decade and I continue to be amazed by the great work that Healthy Learners and its staff do for SC children,” said Roberts.

Deborah D. LocklairLocklair is the senior vice president and regional administrator for McLeod Health. She serves as the interim administrator for McLeod Health Clarendon and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the 80-inpatient-bed facility. In addition, she serves as the regional administrator for McLeod Health Cheraw, a 59-bed inpatient facility and McLeod Health Dillon, a 79-inpatient bed facility. Locklair received her bachelor’s degree in health science from Furman University. She also completed her Master of Education degree, specializing in counseling from Francis Marion University. Locklair was recently board certified as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

“Children’s health is one of the most important issues today. The health and well-being of South Carolina’s children today will have an undeniable impact on the future of the state,” said Locklair. “Healthy Learners provides a critical service by ensuring children receive necessary medical care. Ultimately, these children have improved general health and increased opportunities to succeed.”

Dr. Cleo F. Richardson Jr.

Dr. Richardson is the co-executive director of the Pee Dee Education Center on the Campus of Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina. During the past nearly four decades, Dr. Richardson has focused on improved student achievement; caring, orderly and safe school environments; recruitment, retention and training of highly effective educators; and improving the graduation rate. He previously served as superintendent of schools in the Lee County School District. Prior to that position, he was deputy superintendent for the South Carolina Department of Education Division of Educational Services. Dr. Richardson is also a former school and district teacher of the year in Marion School District One. Dr. Richardson is a four-time graduate of South Carolina State University.

Rich Williams
Williams is a senior vice president, general manager at Unum US. Williams was selected in January 2017 to manage the company’s entrance into the market for stop-loss insurance, which covers self-insured employers if their employees’ medical claims exceed expectations. Williams was previously senior vice president of Growth Markets for Colonial Life, another Unum Group company, where he led the company’s Brokerage, Public Sector, Direct, and large case markets. His previous experience includes roles as chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Strategic Resource Company, an Aetna subsidiary, and in retirement consulting actuarial practice for Mercer. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree from Wofford College, a master’s degree from Wake Forest University and a doctorate from the University of South Carolina.

“As the husband of a teacher, and a former teacher myself, I know how critical education is to building a successful future for our children and a thriving community and workforce for our region,” said Williams. “Access to quality health care, especially for those who struggle to afford it, should not be a barrier to our children’s learning and development. That’s why Healthy Learners is such an important organization to me and my family.”

The 2016-2017 Healthy Learners Board of Trustees are: Chairman, Matthew Roberts of Nexsen Pruet, LLC; Vice Chairman, Deborah D. Locklair of McLeod Health; Secretary, Cleo F. Richardson, Ed.D. of the Pee Dee Education Center; Treasurer, Rich Williams of Unum US; Teri Kimball Callen of Chicago Title Insurance Company; Sharon Earle, Ed.D. of SIR Consulting Group and Primerica Financial Services; Tina Emerson of Rogers Townsend & Thomas; Taranda Frost, Aon Hewitt; James Gallieshaw, Community Advocate; Sister Nancy Hendershot, CSA, Representative of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine SC Ministries; Former-Chairman John Heydel, Retired Hospital President and CEO; Philip Wesley Jackson, II of Rogers Lewis Jackson Mann & Quinn, LLC; Edward Menzie of Nexsen Pruet, LLC; Lite J. Nartey, Ph.D. of Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina; and Matthew Shaffer of BlueCross BlueShield of SC, Major Group Division.

Healthy Learners is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System.