In 2001, City Center Partnership was formed to manage the downtown Business Improvement District in the 36-block area bounded by Gervais, Elmwood, Assembly and Marion streets in Columbia, SC. The organization provides public space management, economic development, place management, marketing services, and public advocacy for the Main Street District. The Board of Directors oversee the organization’s mission — to focus on filling vacancies in commercial properties, retaining existing downtown businesses and recruiting new ones, expanding the downtown residential base, and creating a safe, clean, and friendly downtown environment.
Matt Kennell, President and CEO
matt@citycentercolumbia.scMatt is a native of Virginia and has worked in urban development and management for over 30 years in Florida, Virginia, and South Carolina. He loves spending time with his family and his two crazy Jack Russell Terriers. If you’re looking for him, chances are you will either find him somewhere in the Main Street District or navigating his boat on Lake Murray!
Karel Givens, Vice President, Administration & Development
karel@citycentercolumbia.scKarel is a native New Yorker, avid runner, and travel buff with a special affection for Italy and its culture. She is a huge fan of the New York Giants and Yankees.
Lorri-Ann Carter, Director of Marketing
la@cartertodd.comLorri-Ann is a native of Georgia and has worked in the public relations and marketing industry for nearly 25 years. Her favorite time of the year is football season, when she is pulling for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. And no, that is not a typo!
Jenna Bridgers, Vice President, Recruitment
jenna@citycentercolumbia.scJenna is a native of South Carolina and a 2001 graduate of Wofford College. She is married to Allen and a mother of three precious children. What little spare time she has is spent reading or visiting with family and friends. Jenna is dedicated to helping bring a quality retail mix to the Main Street District.
Hazel Stokes, Administrative Assistant
hazel@citycentercolumbia.scHazel is a native of South Carolina and a very competitive athlete. She played basketball, volleyball and track in high school and played on a community softball team. Be warned…don’t challenge her to a ping pong match! She loves spending time with her family and singing in her church choir.
Allen Franklin, Director of Operations
allen@citycentercolumbia.scAllen is a native of North Carolina and a 1989 graduate of the University of South Carolina. He has over 20 years in retail at a district manager level. Allen’s seven children are the apples of his eye, even though they drive him crazy daily. His greatest pleasures are spending time with his family out on their farm and serving the Main Street District.
R. Matthew Kennell
President & CEO
City Center Partnership, Inc.
Tripp Whitener
Chairman
South State Bank
Lee Mashburn
Vice Chairman
Mashburn Construction Co., Inc.
John McArthur
Immediate Past Chair
Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd
Jeff Prioreschi
Public Space Committee Chair
Monarch Capital Ventures
Dr. Harris Pastides
Executive Committee Member
President of University of South Carolina
Lauren Smith
Treasurer
Holder Properties
Don Tomlin
Secretary
Tomlin and Company, Inc.
Martha Studstill
Marketing Committee Chair
Uptown on Main
Susan McPherson
Executive Committee Member
Columbia Chamber
Andy Smith
Nickelodeon
Charl Butler
AgFirst Farm Credit Bank
Clara Langley
McDonald's
Earl Ellis
Adams & Reese
Gerald Seals
Richland County
Glen P. Caulk
Nelson Mullins
Greg Gattman
Palmetto Health
H. Freeman Belser
Belser & Belser PA
Hon. Greg Pearce
Richland County
Hon. Paul Livingston
Richland County
Hon. Rev. Edward McDowell, Jr.
City of Columbia
Hon. Steve Benjamin
City of Columbia
Jeremy Becraft
Mast General Store
John C. Griggs, III
NBSC, a division of Synovus Bank
Mary Winter Teaster
Colliers International
Melanie Huggins
Richland Library
Richard H. Cohn, Sr.
Cohn Construction Services
Robert Stewart
Stewart, Konduros and Associates
Ryan Coleman
City of Columbia
Scott Middleton
Agape Senior
Shelly Little
Arnold Properties
Teresa Wilson
City of Columbia
William Vaughn "LV" Granger, Jr.
Granger Owings
May 31, 2017
We've all seen the exciting growth downtown, especially in the Main Street District, the last few years. Now the world is getting wind of how awesome Columbia is. Read more here Read More
April 27, 2017
Have you ever wondered what exactly the yellow-clad men and women who patrol Main Street from Gervais to Elmwood do? View Story… Read More