Former Greenville County chairman receives Chamber public service award

Former Greenville County chairman receives Chamber public service award

The Greenville Chamber awarded its inaugural Excellence in Public Service Award to former Greenville County Councilman Butch Kirven.

The award recognizes Kirven’s leadership and advocacy for local businesses throughout his time on the Greenville County Council. He was first elected in 2004 and served for 20 years, including 12 as chairman. Kirven also served 37 years in the Army and Army National Guard, retiring as a brigadier general.

Kirven said he was deeply humbled and honored by the award.

“I’ve enjoyed my 20 years of service as an elected official on County Council,” Kirven said. “One thing I learned over those 20 years is that the challenges are never complete. You always have goals and challenges ahead of you. There’s no organization better suited to work collaboratively with a lot of other entities and individuals in Greenville County than the Greenville Chamber.”

Kirven received the award during the Greenville Chamber’s annual State of Greenville event held Aug. 13. Matt Wills, Greenville Chamber’s vice president of Government Affairs, announced that the award will hereafter be named the Butch Kirven Excellence in Public Service Award.

“(He) has dedicated his life to service, to his country, his community and the people of Greenville County,” Wills said.

More than 250 business leaders attended the Greenville Chamber’s event to hear updates from Greenville Mayor Knox White, Greenville County Council Chairman Benton Blount. Thomas Barkin, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, also provided an update on the country’s economic outlook during the event.

Source: Google News