Our board members
— Shaun Barnes
Shaun Barnes graduated from Clemson University and has worked for Comporium, where he is
Vice President of Corporate Communications, since 2006. Originally from Rock Hill, he has been
a resident of York since 2013. Shaun focuses his personal time on serving the community
through his church, by volunteering with Comporium’s Pioneer Club, and by serving on the
boards of Habitat for Humanity of York County, the York County Regional Chamber of
Commerce, the York County Community Foundation, and the York County Free Clinic.
— Grier Sandifer
Grier Sandifer is a lifelong resident of York and a 1994 graduate of York Comprehensive High
School. He and his wife Crystal, have two daughters, Blakely and Caroline, who are students in
the district. Grier serves as an Executive Vice President at Bank of York and is involved in other
community and civic activities. He and his family have been significantly impacted by
the excellent teachers, coaches and staff of York School District 1 and he is excited about the
opportunity to give back by serving on the Board of Directors for the foundation.
— Elizabeth Smith Owen
Elizabeth Smith Owen is a partner with Morton & Gettys. She primarily practices in the areas of
family law and education law. Elizabeth lives in Rock Hill with her husband, Henry, and 2
daughters. She is a native of York and a 1998 graduate of York High School. She is passionate
about public education and early literacy and is proud to serve as the Foundation’s first Board
Chair.
— Maria Duncan
A life-long resident of York, Maria Duncan is an alum of the York One schools. Maria began a career in education in 1971 as a teacher in the York School District. Throughout the next forty-four years, she enjoyed various employment opportunities working in education. She retired in 2015 as Director of Human Resources.
Maria is married to David and has two children who also are alumni of YSD. While enjoying retirement, she keeps busy with various church activities and memberships in community and civic organizations. She finds it an honor to be on the York Education Foundation Board which she says provides opportunities to continue to support the educational endeavors of the district.
— Meg Ferguson
Meg Ferguson is a contract grow manager for Metrolina Greenhouses’ York facility. Metrolina Greenhouses, founded in 1972, is one of the largest greenhouse operations in the world. Meg has worked with Metrolina since 2013, and she has lived and served the York community for over 20 years. Meg is married to Jack and lives in York. She has two children that have proudly attended York Schools.
— Tom Faulkenberry
Tom Faulkenberry has been a resident of York School District One since 1984. He was District
administrator in YSD One (1984-1996 and 2000-2005), Dean of School of Education and
Graduate Studies at Converse College (retired 2010), Superintendent in Newberry County
School District (1996-2000), and a Former teacher, counselor, coach, and school administrator.
He is married to Nancy, have 2 children (Kelly and Brian), and 5 grandchildren (Anna Wallace,
Libby, Thomas, Sam and Ollie.)
He believes in public education and has a sincere desire to help improve educational
opportunities for students attending schools in York School District One. Faculty, staff,
administrators, and board members work hard to provide quality learning environments and
experiences, and the support made available through Foundation efforts can enhance their
efforts and increase potential for improved student achievement.
— Nikki Carpenter
Nikki Carpenter is a resident of York SC and a YCHS Graduate (C/O 2000). Nikki owns a
bookkeeping and tax business in the heart of Historic York for 5 years. She is excited and
committed to serving on the YSD1 Education Foundation because there is a need to nurture
and provide our youth with the necessary tools to become positive, self-sufficient citizens and
role models in our community and YSD1 Education Foundation will be a great opportunity to
help with that task.
— Amy Hagner
Amy Hagner Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations and have been in the district
for 14 years.
— Dr. Heath Branham
With more than 30 years of experience in education, Dr. Branham is a transformational leader committed to creating schools where every student is seen, heard, and belongs. His work is grounded in the belief that learning flourishes in environments built on trust, collaboration, and high expectations for both students and adults.
He is passionate about designing systems that inspire excellence and cultivate leadership at every level. Throughout his career, he has led teams that embrace innovation, data-informed decision making, and a relentless focus on student growth. His leadership has been recognized through honors such as the Closing the Achievement Gap Award and the President’s Cup Award, affirming his commitment to equity and achievement for all learners.
Dr. Branham holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from Northwest Nazarene University, an Education Specialist degree from Arkansas State University, and a Master of Education from Clemson University, with concentrations in educational leadership and administration. As Superintendent of York School District One, he is connected to people, purpose, and practice to ensure that every classroom, every school, and every community within York School District One moves forward together.
— Becky Baker
Becky lives in Sharon, SC (Western York County) and is proud to be a product of York School District 1. She got her Bachelor of Arts in English for the University of SC and then went on to pursue her nursing degree at USC Upstate. After which, she received her Master’s in Science as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Clemson University.
Becky opened Broad River Wellness, LLC in Sharon in March of 2022. She works there to be health literacy to the community. She also teaches Pharmacology for the Nursing Program at York Technical College. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and their two boys. Her children also attend York School District.
— Porter Gable
Porter has been with York Electric Cooperative since 2008 and currently serves as the Vice President of Communications and Outreach. She grew up in Smyrna, SC, and she and her husband live in downtown York with their daughter, Ava Wallace. She earned a BA in Finance from Wofford College in 2008, the designation of Certified Cooperative Communicator (CCC) from NRECA in 2018, and her MBA from Queens University in 2021. Porter says, “Any day I am able to tell the co-op story in a creative way is a great day. I am proud to work for an organization that works to improve the quality of life for people in our communities and that puts exceptional service and kindness above all else.”
Outside of the co-op, Porter serves on the York County Regional Chamber Board, Palmetto Community Health Care Board, York Technical College Foundation Board, is a member of the York Rotary Club and serves as a commissioner for the York County Convention and Visitors Bureau. She and her family attend Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in York and enjoy spending time and serving in the York community.
— Amber Simpson
Amber Simpson is a lifelong resident of York and a YCHS Alumni c/o 2004. Amber resides in York with her husband Jermaine and together they have four children. She has previously served as a Board of Trustee for YSD1. She is a member of the parent advisory council and was recently inducted into the YCHS Hall of Fame for the 2002 YCHS Girls Basketball Team. Amber is actively involved with her church Langrum Branch Baptist Church and the youth department.
Amber believes in serving her community and is looking forward to helping the York One Foundation elevate in our district.
— Beverly Meares
— Jamie Patterson