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The Heathwood Hall Approach

A message from Chris Hinchey, Head of School

Dear Friends of Heathwood,

Heathwood Hall is truly an incredible community. Our educators—whether in a classroom, on the field or court, on the stage or in a practice room, or on a ropes course or in a garden—know your children.

When I arrived at Heathwood as Head of the Upper School in 2013, I quickly realized I had landed in the kind of academic environment every educator dreams of: a sprawling, biodiverse campus that fosters experiential learning, a dedicated and passionate faculty, highly engaged students, robust athletic and extracurricular programs, and a deeply supportive network of parents, alumni, and friends.

Founded in 1951, Heathwood has a rich history and a national reputation for educational leadership. Our graduates attend top institutions such as the University of Virginia, Vanderbilt, Tufts, Clemson, Davidson, Duke, Wake Forest, and University of South Carolina. They consistently report that Heathwood prepared them to thrive academically and personally in higher education.

Beyond academics, we are committed to your children’s spiritual, moral, and holistic development. Marjorie Anne Foster, 2015 Upper School President, captured this spirit in her commencement speech:

So to us, class of 2015, I hope you all remember what it feels like right now. No matter what angle you look there is someone here who knows you, loves you, and who has worked to get you here today. Maya Angelou stated, ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ Class of 2015; always remember how Heathwood Hall Episcopal School has made you feel and carry that on to wherever you go.

I began my career in education in 1991 as a science teacher, basketball and baseball coach, advisor, and dorm parent at Avon Old Farms in Connecticut. In 1994, I moved to Salisbury School (CT), where I served for 19 years in roles including biology teacher, Dean of Students, Dean of Faculty, and varsity coach.

For over two decades, I thrived in the deeply connected community of boarding schools, where students were known and supported holistically. So when seeking a new professional opportunity, I was determined to find a place where community was central. My wife, Heather, and I feel truly blessed to have found that here at Heathwood Hall.

Our three children—Ryan ('22), Jack ('25), and Will ('27)—are thriving, known, and cared for by the many remarkable adults on campus.

My door is always open, and my inbox is open to your thoughts. I look forward to getting to know you and your children. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Kind regards,
Chris Hinchey
Head of School

Chris Hinchey Bio  Chris Hinchey Resume

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Board of Trustees

Heathwood Hall is a South Carolina non-profit corporation that is governed by an independent board of trustees. In keeping with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) guidelines, our Board of Trustees is responsible for a number of critically important tasks:

  1. Keeping the Mission of the School
  2. Developing and Reviewing Policy
  3. Planning Strategically (Why Do It)
  4. Planning Strategically (The Process)
  5. Ensuring Financial Sustainability
  6. Fund Raising for the School
  7. Selecting New Trustees
  8. Orienting New Trustees
  9. Developing the Board
  10. Serving as Community Ambassadors

Please click on the names below to read brief bios of our Trustees.

Allison Barry

Allison Amick Barry grew up in the Midlands. She received a B.S. in Political Economy and an M.A. in Economics from Clemson University. She taught various economics classes and later worked in project management and business development for the Commerce department before moving into finance and operations for family-owned businesses.

She and her husband reside in Lexington, SC and are the parents of Lukas (Class of 2032) and future Highlander Micah (Class of 2037).

Maryanne Belser 

A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Maryanne Warner Belser graduated from Davidson College with a B.A. in Political Science in 2003. Maryanne began her communications career in state government with the Office of the First Lady of South Carolina, followed by the advertising agency, Chernoff Newman and Keenan Suggs / HUB Insurance. She has enjoyed in-house and consultancy opportunities in business, real estate development, legal, banking, technology, hospitality and non-profit sectors throughout her twenty years in Marketing and Advertising.

Maryanne is an active community volunteer and has served as a board member of Prisma Health, the Columbia Museum of Art, South Carolina ETV, Leadership Columbia, The Davidson College Alumni Association and a member of the Vestry at Trinity Cathedral. She currently serves on the board of the South Carolina State Museum, the South Carolina Governor’s Mansion Foundation, the Columbia Garden Club and is an active and committed volunteer at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School.

Maryanne’s greatest joy is her family. Her husband, Freeman, is a Columbia native and attorney. They are the proud parents of three sons: Hill (16), Heyward (14) and John (11). Time together is spent on football, lacrosse and baseball fields across the country cheering and supporting her boys. She also enjoys spending time pursuing her hobbies of cooking and photography.

Rion Cobb

Rion Cobb graduated from Hammond in 1996 and earned a B.A. in English from Wofford College. He holds a Master of Divinity from Duke and is a Lutheran pastor. He now works for Terminix Service, Inc., overseeing HR and training departments.

He serves on multiple boards and committees. He and his wife Charlotte have four children at Heathwood.

The Reverend Caitlyn Keith

Raised in Colorado, Caitlyn earned a B.A. in religious studies from William and Mary and a Master of Divinity from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. She served in the Episcopal Service Corps and now works as Associate Rector at St. Martins-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church.

Judi Gatson

Judi is an evening news anchor for WIS News and a graduate of Indiana University - Purdue University. She has worked in various anchor roles and is deeply involved in community service.

She and her husband, retired Lt. Colonel Dwayne Gatson, have two sons, Aiden '29 and Nicholas '30. They live in Columbia and attend Brookland Baptist Church.

Kenny Hastie Jr. '97

Calvin K. “Kenny” Hastie Jr. graduated from Heathwood in 1997. He then spent a year at Duke University before deciding to continue his education at Wofford College where he received his BA in Government in 2002. While at Wofford, Kenny was a four-year varsity letterman in basketball as well as being selected team captain and most valuable player his senior year. Following Wofford, Kenny attended the University of South Carolina School of Law and is now Legislative Counsel for the South Carolina Association for Justice.

Kenny remains active with Wofford College athletics by being a former member of the Terrier Club Board of Directors, serving on the Alumni Council, and being a member of the Wofford College Hall of Fame Committee.

Kenny and his wife Celita Proffitt Hastie have two sons Calvin 5 and Foster 2.

Matt Holycross

Matt Holycross grew up in Spartanburg, but moved to Columbia to attend the University of South Carolina Honors College. After graduating from the Moore School of Business, he went into public accounting, obtained his CPA license, and spent the next decade leading various financial functions within the insurance industry. In 2016, he joined Palmetto Consulting of Columbia, LLC; a captive insurance management and consulting firm, where he currently serves as its Managing Member.

Matt currently serves as a Director for numerous member-owned insurance companies. His industry leadership responsibilities have included positions within the National Risk Retention Association, the North Carolina Captive Insurance Association, and the Self Insurance Institute of America. Within the Columbia community, he has served as a past Chairman of the Young Alumni Council of the USC Alumni Association, and as past Treasurer of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate.

Matt and his wife, Julie, have two children, Claire '33 and Edwin '36.

Marshall James '85

Marshall James attended Heathwood Hall for 12 years and graduated in the Class of 1985. He attended Morehouse College and graduated with a B.A. in English Literature. After Morehouse, he moved to Kurobe, Japan and taught English to kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and high school students for three years. In 1993, Marshall returned to Heathwood and began teaching upper school humanities and other electives until 1999. After Heathwood, Marshall worked as Student Affairs Director at the South Carolina Honors College at USC until 2006. Marshall earned an M.A. in English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Marshall has also earned the J.D. and LL.M degrees from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. He has served as a law clerk for the Hon. J. Michelle Childs, U.S. District Judge and the Hon. Kaymani D. West, U.S. Magistrate Judge. Marshall is currently an attorney with the City of Columbia.

Stephanie Kimbrough

Stephanie grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Irmo High School in 1989. Her college adventure began in Clemson where she dabbled in several different majors before deciding on Public Health. After graduating from Clemson, she attended USC and received a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology. During her graduate program, she interned in Cardiac Rehabilitation, and this experience sparked her interest in medicine. She spent two years working as an Exercise Physiologist in a local cardiology office, but then moved to Charleston to begin her studies in MUSC's Physician Assistant Program. After graduating in 2001, she worked as a Physician Assistant in Nephrology for 13 years. Her primary role was caring for patients with End Stage Renal Disease on dialysis in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.

Stephanie is married to ‘87 HHES alumnus, Ted Kimbrough, and with the birth of their second son, they decided it was time for her to begin a new chapter as a stay at home mom. When their two sons began in Heathwood's EC4 and EC3 programs in 2017, Stephanie wasn’t quite sure what to do with her new found free time, so she devoted most of her days to helping out at school. As a parent volunteer, she has worn many hats, including the EC/LS HPA co-chair for 2 years, homeroom parent for several of the boys’ classes, member of auction and homecoming committees, parent ambassador for new families, tour guide during open house, member of Heathwood Connections, founder (along with Molly Roddey) of the EC teacher's Lunch Bunch, and a dedicated participant in various campus beautification projects. Additionally, the Kimbroughs have been annual contributors to the Highlander Club and the 1951 Society. Stephanie enjoys gardening, flower arranging, reading, running, playing tennis and spending time at Pawleys Island. Stephanie and Ted, a gastroenterologist with Columbia Gastroenterology Associates, have 2 sons, Zach ‘32 and Thompson ‘31. Big brothers Edward and Henry '19 are also part of the Highlander family. If all goes as planned, when Zach graduates from HHES, it is believed that the Kimbroughs will have the honor of having had a student attend HHES for the most consecutive years (24!).

Dr. Alicia McFarland

Alicia McFarland is a pediatrician practicing at Sandhills Pediatrics in Columbia, SC. She grew up on the coast of North Carolina and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. From there, she moved to Columbia, where she attended the University of South Carolina for medical school and residency.

Alicia is married to Steven McFarland, an attorney at Nelson Mullins. They have three daughters, Kaitlyn '25, Sarah '27, and Emily '29, who all attend Heathwood Hall. Alicia enjoys traveling, adventure sports such as skiing and SCUBA diving, and spending time with her family.

Josh Nelson, Chair

Josh is currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer of Global Life Insurance, a Chubb Corporation. Josh holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and a MBA from the University of St. Thomas in MN. Josh has spent the last 20+ years in the Financial Service industry, holding a variety of Finance roles for Fortune 250 companies. Josh's experiences span the U.S. and international markets, including 8 years as an expatriate in Tokyo Japan.

Josh and his wife, Heidi have two boys, Jay '26 and Christian '29. The Nelsons joined the Heathwood community in 2016 when the family relocated to Columbia. Heidi has been active in the Heathwood community by serving as a room parent to her son's classroom as well as serving on the Auction Committee. Josh serves as an assistant coach in the Palmetto Baseball league and the Nelson family are members of Shandon Baptist Church.

Beth Burke Richardson

Beth and her husband Matthew both practice law in Columbia, SC and have three children, Jed (class of ‘24), James (class of ‘26), and Raye Beth (class of ‘28). Beth’s undergraduate degree is from Duke University in Women’s Studies and she received her law degree from Washington University in St. Louis Law School with honors.

While in law school, Beth served as Editor in Chief of the Law Review. She later worked for federal judges at the district and appellate level and as an associate attorney practicing employment law, business litigation, and appellate advocacy. Currently, Beth is a member at Robinson, Gray, Stepp & Laffitte, LLC focusing on commercial litigation and business dispute resolution and appellate law.

She is very active in the community, on the board of several organizations, and participates in various legal associations, including serving as President of the South Carolina Chapter of the Federal Bar Association in 2020.

John Peyre Scurry '95

J.P. Scurry is a retail broker specializing in advisory services and investment properties, focusing mostly on retail. He works on acquisitions, dispositions, sale leasebacks, tenant representation, buyer representation and landlord representation with Colliers International. He also leads a team that works with companies on multi-city location expansions across South Carolina, and the Southeast.

JP is a Heathwood Alumni; graduating in 1995. He attended Washington and Lee University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1999. Before joining Colliers, JP attended University of South Carolina where he earned an International Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis on finance and real estate investment, as well as proficiency in Spanish. In 2017, JP was named a CoStar Power Broker in retail leasing transactions in Columbia. He has gained recognition as a Life Member of the Circle of Excellence by the Central Carolina REALTORS Association.

JP serves on the South Carolina CCIM Board of Directors and is very involved in the South Carolina ULI Chapter. He also serves on the Columbia Museum of Art Finance and Building Grounds Committees. JP is active on the Columbia Commercial Real Estate Market Forecast Committee. He is an usher at Trinity Cathedral and a member of the United Way Young Leaders Society. In 2006, he graduated from Leadership Columbia.

JP and his wife, Pence, are parents to two Heathwood students; Thomas ‘26 and Mary Henley ’28.

Jessica Shand
Roy Shelley

Roy grew up in Columbia and Orangeburg. He graduated from Wade Hampton Academy in 1985, where he played football on the 1984 team that won the State Championship. He then attended Rice University (where he played what is now "old school" lacrosse) and graduated in 1989 with degrees in Business Management and Psychology. He worked for an oil company in Houston for two years while his future wife, Rebecca Monroy, finished her law degree at the University of Houston. He then returned to South Carolina to attend law school. He graduated from the USC School of Law in 1994.

Roy began his legal career with the Richland County Public Defender Office, then went into private practice. He is now a partner and the head of the litigation department at the Rogers Townsend law firm. His current practice consists mainly of the defense of environmental litigation (property contamination and personal injury toxic exposures), trucking accidents, and other serious personal injury cases. He also taught as an adjunct instructor in criminal law at USC for 14 years.

Roy serves on a number of legal and community boards, including the SC Bar Mock Trial Committee since 1996 and he is currently the Co-chair, SC Fact Forward (a reproductive health non-profit; current co-chair), the Columbia Running Club (current president), the Friends of Harbison State Forest, and others. Roy is also currently president of the Highlander Club at Heathwood.

Roy and Rebecca's three children all attended Heathwood: Rachel '16, Riana '20, and Ryan '22. Roy's hobbies include running (road and trail), growing oak trees, and playing lacrosse on the Local Masters (i.e. old guys) team.

Ainsley Stone

Ainsley currently stays at home with her children. She is pursuing a postgraduate certificate in nurse-midwifery. Before staying at home full-time, she worked as a family nurse practitioner specializing in women's health. Ainsley grew up in a military family. Her parents and extended family have called Beaufort home for nearly 20 years. Brandon and Ainsley moved to Columbia to be nearby. They met while Brandon was in medical school, and she was in nursing school in Pittsburgh. Ainsley and her family attend Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

Ainsley has been involved in the Heathwood Parent Association and has served as a homeroom parent for multiple classes, volunteered at many Heathwood community events, and chaired the Heathwood 40th Annual Auction. Ainsley and Brandon are proud to contribute yearly to the Heathwood Annual Fund, are members of the 1951 Society, and support the capital improvement campaign at Heathwood. They have also been annual members of the Highlander Athletics Booster Club.

Ainsley and her husband Brandon have three children, Holly '32, Maddie '34, and Alexander '37.

Lauren gray

Lauren Gray, an Orangeburg, SC native, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design and Retail Management and a certification in Wedding and Event Planning from the Art Institute of Charleston. She also earned her MBA from the University of South Carolina Aiken. With more than a decade of experience in the wedding and event industry, Lauren has also served as a Planner and Project Coordinator at Zeus Inc.

Now a stay-at-home mom, Lauren remains active in the community, serving on the boards of the Orangeburg Junior Service League—where she has held roles as Special Events Chair and Secretary—and the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce. She also dedicates her time to various nonprofits. At Heathwood Hall, she volunteers through special events and the Heathwood Parent Association.

Lauren and her husband, Joshua, are proud parents to Connor (Class of ’36) and Colton (Class of ’37). They reside in Columbia, SC, and are members of the 1951 Society and the Highlander Athletics Booster Club.

Allen Wilkerson

Allen Wilkerson graduated from Heathwood Hall in 2006. He attended Wofford College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance with a minor in Government. Allen is a Vice President and Shareholder at Colliers International South Carolina representing companies in commercial real estate consulting, leasing and sales. Allen was appointed to the South Carolina Real Estate Commission by the South Carolina Legislature and serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Home Works of America.

Allen lives in Forest Acres with his wife, Elizabeth, their son AJ and their daughter Ellie who attends the Lower School at Heathwood.

WD MORRIS '92

W.D. grew up in Columbia, attending Heathwood from 4K until graduation (Class of 1992). He attended Clemson, earning a B.S. in Aquaculture, Fisheries, and Wildlife Biology in 1996. After Clemson, W.D. started his career in insurance, where his focus is on construction surety bonds. He is currently a partner with Propel Insurance.

W.D. has been very active in the Coastal Conservation Association of SC for over 20 years and is the current state treasurer and serves on the national finance committee. He has been a member of the Highlander Club for several years and is the current treasurer.

W.D. and his wife, Blair, have two sons: William '22 and Henry '26, and they are members of Eastminster Presbyterian Church.

MICHAEL HITCHCOCK

Michael Hitchcock joined the South Carolina Retirement System Investment Commission in 2014 and serves as the Chief Executive Officer. The RSIC manages and invests the assets for the South Carolina Retirement System, a $36.5 billion defined benefit pension plan serving approximately 600,000 participants. 

Prior to joining RSIC, Mr. Hitchcock served as Chief Counsel and Assistant Clerk of the South Carolina Senate. In this role, he served as Deputy Administrator of the agency and directed the Office of Senate Research which provides legislative drafting, research, and legal services to all forty-six members of the State Senate. 

Mr. Hitchcock earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Carolina and his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina, School of Law. He has served in the South Carolina National Guard since 2000, earning the rank of Major in the Judge Advocate General Corps. 

Michael and his wife Regina have two children, Christian '27 and Charlotte '31.

ALANA WILLIAMS

Alana Odom Williams is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the State Fiscal Accountability Authority. An attorney by trade, Alana is a former litigation partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough. Alana currently serves as a Commissioner for the Riverbanks Parks Commission and is a member of the Columbia chapter of The Links Inc. and a member of the Columbia Junior League. She is also a member of Hope Interdenominational Church, where she leads a women's Bible study and has taught Sunday School. She has previously served on the boards of Hope In Christ Ministries and March of Dimes. Alana is married to Derrick L. Williams, Esq. and has two daughters, Regan '24 and Deana Grace '28.

PEYTON BRYANT '06

Peyton is a Heathwood Alumnus from the Class of 2006.  After Heathwood, Peyton earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with minors in Religion and Entrepreneurship from Wake Forest University.  Peyton is Managing Partner at Trinity Partners, a full service commercial real estate firm in Columbia.

Peyton's current community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, South Carolina Chapter of CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member), United Way of the Midlands, and the Midlands Housing Trust Fund.  In 2018, he was awarded Heathwood Hall's Anne Thornhill Weston Award, given each year to a Heathwood graduate who has made significant contributions to the community.

Peyton and his wife, Lyndey, an attorney at Adam & Reese Law Firm, have two daughters, Ellery '38 and Addy '40.

DEWEY ERVIN

Dewey graduated from Davidson College in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.  In 2007, he earned his Master of Architecture degree from Rice University.  He has practiced with architectural firms in Charleston, Florence and Columbia, South Carolina.  He has been the project architect of medical, judicial, government and academic projects.  He currently owns his own practice in Columbia.  Dewey has served  on the local chapter board of the American Institute of Architects as well as the South Carolina AIA Political Action Committee.  He has served on committees of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, including the test writing committee for the Architect Registration Exam.

Dewey and his wife, Heathwood Alum Ann Harriott Fisher Ervin, M.D., are the parents of Phillip '27 and Eloise '28.  Dewey and Ann Harriott, both are members of the  Davidson College Class of 1999, are active in the Columbia Area Davidson College Alumni Association.  They are members of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

THIELE MCVEY

Theile McVey is a 1997 graduate of Columbia College and a 2000 graduate of the South Carolina School of Law. She is a recipient of the Compleat Lawyer Award, one of the highest honors given out by the law school. She is past president of the South Carolina Association for Justice, the leading plaintiff lawyer organization in the state, whose members are devoted to representing individuals and families hurt or killed by the negligent conduct of others. She is past president of the South Carolina chapter of The American Board of Trial Advocates, an organization made up of plaintiff and defense attorneys dedicated to preserving the right to a jury trial as a means of resolving conflicts. She is a sought-after lecturer at legal conferences at home and outside the state. She is active in her church and in her community.

Theile and her husband, Ian, have two children: a 7th grader attending Heathwood and a recent Heathwood alum in the class of 2025.

REV. JANEY WILSON

The Reverend Jane Rogers Wilson (Janey) joined the Bishop’s Staff on June 1, 2023. Prior to that she was the Rector of the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Rock Hill, and previously served as Rector/Vicar of two Episcopal churches in Tarboro, NC. While serving there, she was elected to be a member of the Diocesan Standing Committee, serving as President of that committee during transition as The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry became Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church.  . She has also served as a Trustee of the University of the South, Sewanee.

Reverend Wilson began her professional career as a Librarian and Instructor at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky and served for 15 years. During her time at Berea College she was called to the priesthood, graduating with an Anglican Studies Certificate from Seabury Western Theological Seminary in 2006 and earning a Master of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary in 2008. She served in the Diocese of Lexington as both Diocesan Missioner and as a member of the Cathedral Clergy. Janey has extensive experience with youth and Campus Ministry across several dioceses.

In the Diocese of Upper South Carolina, she has served as Dean of the Catawba Convocation, President of the Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Board, and was on the Credentials Committee during the Episcopal Election. She has joyfully served as Spiritual Director at Camp Gravatt sessions, and also for Vocare and Happening.

Janey and her husband, Shannon (who is an archivist and historian,) are the parents of three grown sons. They are the very proud grandparents of Walker, Hensley, and Ruby and devoted servant leaders to two much loved dogs.