Senate Education Committee Chairman Greg Hembree recently appointed Laura McKinney as a business appointee to the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC) to complete the unexpired term of Jeri McCumbee.

McKinney has more than 25 years of national and international experience in public relations, economic development, and communications. She is the Senior Vice President for Talent & Workforce Development with the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce and is a board member of the Columbia Rotary Club, Midlands Workforce Development Board, and Midlands Middle College School Board.

McKinney has served in many roles supporting public education and has most recently served on the SC Accountability Advisory Council.

“I am excited to serve on the Education Oversight Committee in order to support improvement in student outcomes by optimizing the way in which we hold the public education system accountable to the students, parents and citizens of South Carolina.” McKinney said.

She and her husband Jim, a retired Army Officer, live in Chapin SC with the youngest of their five children. They are members of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Columbia.