Last week the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce announced the retirement of President and CEO David Cordeau, effective Dec. 31. Charles “Chuck” White was named as his interim replacement and began working Monday, the same day his appointment was announced.
Cordeau had headed the chamber since 2006. He said one of the highlights of his tenure was the creation of the Economic Futures Group, which was twice named a top-10 economic development organization by Site Selection and Industry magazines.
Cordeau will remain in the Spartanburg area and said he plans to do part-time project work for local companies. He also looks forward to spending more time on personal endeavors, including a classic car restoration hobby and seeing more of his son’s performances as a Clemson University hockey player.
Colleen Perry Keith, 2014 chairwoman, said the selection of Cordeau’s permanent replacement would likely take about six months, and White is expected to serve throughout that time. The board met this week and will continue to meet next week to name a search committee and begin the process.
“The greater Spartanburg area has experienced exciting growth in its business community during the seven years that Mr. Cordeau has led the Chamber here,” Schneider Sue Schneider, 2013 chairwoman of the chamber, said in a statement. “His retirement is the culmination of a long career in Chamber management that has spanned four states. We are grateful to have been the beneficiaries of his experience and vision during his tenure with our Chamber.”
White has served as interim head of several organizations. He retired from the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind where he was the director of residential life services until 2006. Since then he has served as the interim director of the Children’s Shelter of the Upstate, the Bethlehem Community Center, Carolina Counseling and the Spartanburg Charter School.
“I am excited that Dr. White has agreed to serve as our Interim,” Keith said in a letter to board members Monday. “He can adeptly address issues and has strong operations experience that has helped several other community organizations get ready for their new leaders. He also has strong relationships with key leaders in Spartanburg that he can call upon to help advance the mission of the Chamber.”
