For Sue Schneider, the spirit of Spartanburg’s business community can be summed up in just four words: “reaching out” and “lifting up.”
On Thursday, Schneider, the CEO of Spartanburg Water, received the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s most prestigious honor, the Neville Holcombe Distinguished Citizenship Award, during the business organization’s annual celebration at the Spartanburg Marriott.
Schneider, who was the first chairwoman of the Spartanburg Chamber, joins a list of former winners that includes the late Roger Milliken, Neville Holcombe, John Poole, and others who have received the award since its inception in 1943.
“The best awards are not about people,” Schneider said. “They’re not about events. They are about ideas. I’m honored. I’m humbled by this recognition… This is a generous community. We champion diversity. We fight for the right ideas. We are welcoming. But we challenge each other… I’m proud to be a part of it.”
On Feb. 20, Schneider received the United Way of the Piedmont’s 2017 Morgan Award.
She serves on the boards of Ten at the Top, the Urban League of the Upstate, the S.C. Association of United Ways, and the Rotary Club of Spartanburg.
Schneider is also the Past Second Vice President of the Breakfast Business and Professional Women’s Club of Spartanburg. She was named the organization’s 2013 Career Woman of the Year.
She has served on the boards of Partners for Active Living, Spartanburg Area Conservancy, and the Spartanburg County First Steps Board.
Schneider is a graduate of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System’s Regional Fellows, Leadership Spartanburg, Leadership South Carolina, and the Diversity Leadership Institute at the Riley Institute at Furman University.
Several hundred business leaders from across the community rose to their feet to cheer for Schneider as she took that stage to accept her most recent accolade Thursday night.
The Spartanburg Chamber hailed her as a “driver of innovation and creativity” and “an early adopter of cutting-edge leadership practices.”
Schneider joined Spartanburg Water in 1998 as the utility’s assistant general manager. She was named its first female CEO in 2007.
The chamber introduced its Chairman-elect John Easterling. Outgoing Chairman Todd Horne said local leaders have raised $3.6 million of the $5.15 million needed to fund the county’s new vision plan One Spartanburg.
The chamber also gave out several other awards during the celebration.
The award winners were:
- Meredith Lindsey, Young Professional of the Year
- Jennifer Evins, Elaine Harris Tourism Person of the Year
- Contec Inc. and Partners for Active Living, Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award
- Michelin North America, Economic Futures Award
- Allison Owens, Ambassador of the Year
- Hope Blackley, Bruce Holstein, and John Miller, Chairman’s Award
- A-Line Interactive, James B. Thompson Small Business of the Year
For more information, visit www.spartanburgchamber.com.
