Hastings Named President of Fountain Inn, SC Chamber

Feb. 22, 2010 - PRLog -- Greenville County, SC – Upstate real estate executive John R. Hastings, Sr. has been named President of the Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce, effective March 1, 2010.

Hastings succeeds outgoing president Maria Bentley, who is retiring from the position to spend additional time with her family after serving six years in the position.  Under her leadership, chamber membership has grown by more than fifty percent and she directed numerous accomplishments, including the execution of a citywide Clean Up Day, the addition of a Christmas Festival, and the planned move of Chamber offices this summer to the Commerce Park and Museum Building.

A native of Spartanburg, Hastings has been a professional Realtor in the Upstate for nearly two decades and is the owner of The Hastings Company, a residential real estate company based in the Upstate.  Prior to his successful real estate career, Hastings served as a training instructor and process engineer with Michelin Tire Corporation in Spartanburg, which he joined shortly after earning his B.A. degree in Government and Political Science from Wofford College.  He also served previously in the Army National Guard.

A member of both the National and South Carolina Association of Realtors, Hastings is active in the Fountain Inn Rotary Club.  Prior to assuming his new role, Hastings was a director of the Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce and the organization’s 2008 Board Member of the Year for his many contributions.

“John is an outstanding businessman and leader, and has long proven his commitment to advancing the Fountain Inn and Upstate communities through his civic and professional involvements,” said Cindy Clemmer, current chair of the Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce, in announcing Hasting’s new role.  “We are pleased and privileged to welcome such a dedicated community champion to this key position of leadership at the Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce.”

As President, Hastings will be responsible to the Chamber Board of Directors for all Chamber activities.  His role will include development and coordination of long range and annual business plans to achieve the Chamber’s mission, developing and interpreting policies, leading staff, overseeing finances, and ensuring continued growth of membership while serving as primary liaison to key community and governmental audiences.

“I am extremely excited to take on this key role in leading the Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce, and envision an incredibly bright future for this community we are all so proud of,” said Hastings.  “Fountain Inn offers an incredibly appealing balance of business opportunity and quality of life, and I intend to keep our Chamber firmly positioned as a champion of economic growth and prosperity for all citizens.”

Ms. Clemmer also paid tribute to the accomplishments of outgoing president Maria Bentley noting, “Without Maria’s many contributions over the past six years, Fountain Inn could never have accomplished so much to benefit our businesses and citizens.  We all owe her a true debt of gratitude, and thank her for her many contributions to this community.”

To learn more about Fountain Inn, visit www.fountaininnchamber.org or call (864) 862-2586.