Board
Jason Strand
Chair
Jason Strand is Director of Enterprise Engagement for Galvanize, an education provider of immersive software engineering and data science training programs for professionals. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Furman University, and has more than ten years of program and project management experience in the private sector.
He has served his community on the Foothills Philharmonic Board and participated in special concerts and fundraising initiatives for autism, food drives, and Toys for Tots. He is also a member and volunteer for the Greenville County Historical Society.
Jason brings administrative and leadership skills to the Board, along with a heart for serving people with disabilities and special needs.
George P. McLeer, Sr.
Vice Chair
George McLeer was a Special Education teacher, who retired after 32 of years developing life skills and employment opportunities for students with special needs. He attended Clemson University and earned a B.S. degree in Education. He is an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Catholic Fraternal Organization, Knights of Columbus. He has participated in Special Olympics, and previously been a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader. He will bring his many years of experience with individuals with special needs as he advocates for the community and individuals served by Thrive Upstate as he participates in Board decisions.
Clyde Baucom
Treasurer
Clyde Baucom is a retired human resources executive who grew up in Charlotte, NC and subsequently resided in Greenville, SC (1980 – 1997), and Montgomery, AL (1997 – 2014). Clyde maintained his Greenville residence while in Montgomery, and returned here upon retirement in 2014.
His professional activities have included serving as President and Board Member of the Southern Employee Benefits Conference, HR Committee Chair of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association, Board Member of the South Carolina Textile Manufacturers Association, and Life Member of the Society of Human Resource Managers.
In the Greenville community, Clyde has been President of the Roper Mountain Science Center, Board Chair of Junior Achievement, Board Member of the Eastside YMCA, Budget Review Panel Chair for the United Way, Advisory Board Member to the Junior League, and YMCA baseball and soccer coach.
Bob Ariail
Board Member
Robert “Bob” Ariail is a practicing attorney in Greenville, SC. He has more than 41 years of experience in the practice of Law, is a member of the South Carolina and Greenville County Bar Associations, and has received a Martindale-Hubbell – AV Rating. Bob served as Solicitor of the 13th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina from 1997-2011, managing 120 employees and a budget of over $8 million.
Bob is an active member of the Greenville community and has served as a chairman for the Upstate Heart Walk, Wofford College Annual Fund, Christ Church School Annual Fund, Davidson College Athletic Foundation, and as a member of many other organizations. In addition to his financial and legal expertise, Bob brings significant management and negotiation skills to the Thrive Upstate Board.
Paul Hamberis, DPT
Board Member
Paul Hamberis, DPT, is a native of Greenville, SC. Paul practices at Palmetto Physical Therapy, specializing in treating balance/vestibular deficits, stroke and brain injury conditions.
Paul has volunteered with A.H.E.P.A. – scholarships, HUD Housing, and is an active member at St. George Cathedral. He has 19 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities, including a year at Roger C. Peace – TBI. He has a personal connection with the disabilities community through a relative with severe autism.
Paul brings business administration experience and medical expertise to the Thrive Upstate Board.
Peter Mathias
Board Member
Peter Mathias earned a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of South Carolina. He is the Senior Director of Development for the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville and is a professional fundraiser. He has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the Lowcountry Food Bank, and as a Young Life club leader. He is married to Jess and is the father of two sons. His personal experience as a father of an autistic son brings a personal knowledge of serving individuals with disabilities and special needs.
Bern Mebane
Board Member
Bern Mebane, President and CEO of Crescent Publishing Co., LLC, in Greenville, SC, a company he founded in 1999 after he retired from Gannett, Inc. where he served as senior group president of the company’s Piedmont Newspaper Group and as president and publisher of The Greenville News since the acquisition of Multimedia, Inc. by Gannett in 1995.
Bern has been active in industry and community affairs. He currently serves on the board of the Greenville Health Corporation and on the Endowment of Christ Church. He has been active on numerous other charitable boards.
Bryant Nixon
Board Member
Bryant Nixon has served on the Board of Thrive Upstate since 2014. A native of Clinton, South Carolina, he is married to Stacy and has three children; Emma, Sam, and Mary. He is a shareholder and President for Triangle Construction Company, Inc. in Greenville, SC.
Bryant has served on the boards of Trees Greenville, Christ Church Episcopal Pre-School, and The Greenville Chamber of Commerce Leadership Development Board of Regents. He was a member of Leadership Greenville Class 32. He is also an active member and past vestry member of Christ Church Episcopal in Greenville.
Autumn Shearin
Board Member
Autumn Shearin is Director of the Pickens County Service Center for The Salvation Army. She attended Mars Hill University and Liberty University, majored in Theatre Arts and Psychology, and completed a B.A. degree and some M.A. courses. She is a strong advocate for those in the community who have disabilities. She has volunteered for a number of years at the SC Governor’s School for the Arts & Humanities Alumni Council.
