2021 Chapter Elections

It’s time to VOTE for your ASLA South Carolina Chapter leadership! The following positions and candidates are ready to serve the ASLA South Carolina Chapter with terms beginning this fall at the conclusion of the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture. Please see below for bios. All Full and Associate members of the ASLA South Carolina Chapter in good professional standing are eligible to vote and were emailed election information. Please contact the Chapter secretary at secretary@scasla.org with questions.

 

President Elect The president-elect shall: in consultation with the Executive Committee, select for appointment when he or she assumes office as president the chairs and members of standing committees, other committees, and any special study groups or task forces; represent and act for the Chapter as directed by the president and consistent with the policies of the Society as established by the Board of Trustees; serve as acting president when designated by the president or the Executive Committee; and perform such other duties as are customary for the office of chapter president-elect or as may be assigned or delegated by the president. The president-elect shall be a Full Member elected for a term of no more than one (1) year before assuming role as president. Upon completion of two (2) year term as president, the president then serves one (1) year as immediate past president.

o Nominee Name – brief bio and previous involvement with ASLA/SC Chapter

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o Andrew Hargett – Andrew is a landscape architect and lives in Charleston, SC. His previous involvement with SCASLA includes participating with the executive committee for over eight years and by chairing the Membership committee for six years which included our highest membership enrollment period.

 

 

Trustee This person works closely with National ASLA to make key decisions impacting the direction of the organization and the Chapter. The trustee shall: be informed on Chapter and Society goals and objectives, policies and procedures, programs and services, and activities and events; serve as an officer on the Executive Committee of the Chapter and serve as the Chapter representative on the Board of Trustees of the Society; facilitate the conduct of the business of the Society by bringing the Chapter perspective to the Board of Trustees and the national perspective to the Executive Committee and members of the Chapter; facilitate the conduct of the business of the Board of Trustees by serving on standing councils or committees, special study groups or task forces, or as a representative or delegate of the Society; and perform such other duties as are customary for the office of chapter trustee or as may be assigned or delegated by the Board of Trustees of the Society and the Executive Committee of the Chapter. The trustee shall be a Full Member elected for a term of three (3) years. The trustee shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.

 

o Nominee Name – brief bio and previous involvement with ASLA/SC Chapter

 

o Holley Bloss Owings – Holley is a Landscape Architect with Earth Design, an environmental focused landscape architecture firm located in Greenville, South Carolina. She enjoys sharing her passion for the environment with her clients using a sustainable design approach. Holley graduated from Clemson University in 2001 with a Bachelor’s of Landscape Architecture. She has been an active member of the ASLA South Carolina chapter since 2004. Holley immediately jumped in as a volunteer to assist with the chapters newsletter before being asked to join the Executive Committee as a Member At Large. Holley has held multiple chapter positions including Newsletter Editor, Sponsorship Committee Chair, Secretary, Chapter President (2011), and Advocacy Committee Chair. While serving as the Advocacy Committee Chair, Holley organized South Caroline’s first legislative luncheon creating an event allowing members to engage with state representatives to protect licensure and promote the profession. Holley’s service and dedication to the profession expand beyond the chapter level, as she currently serves on several ASLA committees: ASLA’s Government Affairs, Emerging Professionals, and Nominations Committees. Prior to her current role as Trustee, Holley also served two terms on ASLA’s Licensure Committee. Holley is committed to helping the next generation of professionals and volunteers in the ASLA mentor program, where she participates in portfolio reviews and regularly mentors a young professional.

 

o Duane Christopher – Duane is the principal of Duane F. Christopher & Assoc., LLC in Rock Hill. He is a licensed landscape architect, residential building designer, and has been in private practice in the Carolinas since 1981. The great percentage of his professional time is devoted to the fields of residential architecture, landscape architecture with all the other environmental affiliations that go with designing on the land. Duane has also served in the community on other boards and commissions. He has been a member of ASLA since 1982 and served in the SCASLA Chapter in different capacities and positions off and on since 1988. These chapter positions include: Chapter President, 2014-2015; Legislative Committee, Treasurer, 2009 – 2014; Public relations committee, 2007 -2009; and Executive committee, 1988-1993. Duane was the chapter delegate chosen to go to Washington, DC for ASLA’s initial ‘legislative fly-ins’ in 1993 and 1994. In addition to, SC ASLA, he was part of a team to present at the National ASLA meetings in Phoenix, 2012 and Boston, 2013 about on starting and running the micro office as well as member of the SC Board of Landscape Architectural Examiners 1989-1993, chairman 1992-1993. Duane is a graduate of Cornell University with a BS in Landscape Architecture. He is married to Karen for 36 years, has a Daughter Michelle, son-in-law John Taylor, and grandson Matthew. He also performs in local plays, ballet, and movies.

 

Treasurer: The treasurer shall: collect all fees, dues, charges, and other funds due the Chapter; be the custodian of all Chapter funds and disburse such funds only as authorized by the Executive Committee; keep the accounts of the Chapter that shall be open at all times to inspection by the Executive Committee; present quarterly reports on the financial condition of the Chapter and year-end financial statements to the Executive Committee; and perform such other duties as are customary for the office of chapter treasurer or as may be assigned or delegated by the president. The treasurer shall be a Full, Associate, or International Member elected for a term of two (2) years.

 

o Nominee Name – brief bio and previous involvement with ASLA/SC Chapter

 

o Michael Ethridge –Michael lives and works in Greenville, SC. He is a licensed landscape architect (PLA) and a certified playground safety inspector (CPSI) with over 18 years of xperience. Michael graduated Clemson University with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree. He currently works for Earth Design, landscape architecture and environmental design firm. Previously, he was the in-house landscape architect for Berliner Play Equipment Corporation. Michael has been leading the Chapter’s CEU Committee for the past few years and has used his computer expertise to greatly streamline the process. In his spare time, Michael enjoys volunteering as a Lieutenant with the South Carolina State Guard, serving as chairmen for the Blue Ridge Seas Scouts Board of Director, hiking, biking, cooking and spending time with his wife Jessica, his children Caldwell and Jackson, and two dogs Gus and Ellie.

 

At-Large Executive Committee (Two positions available) The at-large members shall perform such other duties as are customary for the position of at-large member or as may be assigned or delegated by the Executive Committee of the Chapter. At-large members are expected to be present at committee meetings. At-large members will be responsible for chairing a committee position. The at-large members shall be Full or Associate Members elected for terms of two (2) years.

 

o Nominee Name – brief bio and previous involvement with ASLA/SC Chapter

 

o James Ward –James came to Charleston in 1977, during the first Spoleto Arts Festival, from the University of Georgia. He has background in teaching, carpentry, and community leadership to complement his landscape architecture and project management, including 3 years as the Government Landscape Architect for Bermuda. Placemaking and the idea of “Designing with Nature” are his foundational principles as he continues to practice with an environmental, socially conscious point-of-view. His early projects included project management and design development at the College of Charleston, Center Island at Kiawah Island, the Industrial landscape at the Charleston Airport, the Charleston Visitors’ Center, upgrading at the Riverbanks Zoo, construction management for the SC Aquarium exhibits, and various streetscape and park projects. James is currently a professor at the College of Charleston and teaches full-time within the Historic Preservation and Community Planning Program, building relationships with the community, the institution, and professionals. More recently, he has been involved in continuing efforts to maintain and improve the College of Charleston facilities and continuing to design various residential and small-scale commercial developments. James is an active volunteer with SCASLA and current HALS liaison, pursuing a number of preservation related documentation and assessment endeavors tying the resources of the College with the profession and the community.

 

o Jamie Hairfield – Jamie Hairfield is a landscape architect and arborist in Charleston, SC. She works with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. and is a graduate of Clemson University. Jamie has been an active member of ASLA since joining in 2001 as a student while at Clemson. Upon graduation, she joined the Emerging Professionals Committee with ASLA. Since the Emerging Professionals Committee, she has served as a member of South Carolina’s Executive Committee including the Chapter’s President in 2014 as well as PR Chair, helping raise awareness for the Landscape Architecture profession. Jamie has a great support system from her husband, Jason and their three sons.