The Tyger River Foundation is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) public charity incorporated in South Carolina in 2007.  Our vision is to play an important role in assuring our local natural and historic resources are maintained for our posterity and to increase the outdoor nature-based physical activity of our citizens.  We will achieve this through private and public partnerships from all areas of the community.

Meet Our Board Members

Julian Hankinson, President

Raised on a farm in Spartanburg, Georgia Tech graduate and Naval Aviation veteran, Eagle Scout; designed industrial machinery and controls, later managed corporate product development.  Currently owns an industrial consulting and manufacture's sales representative business, is the Private Sector Representative on the SPATS Policy Committee, and a member of the Spartanburg Airport Advisory Board.

Scott Talley, Vice-President

Born and raised in Spartanburg County, Wofford graduate, USC Law School graduate, member of the SC House of Representatives District 34 2001-2008.  Currently in private practice at Scott F. Talley, P.A. and on the board of Hatcher Garden and Spartanburg YMCA.

Angela Viney, Secretary

Born and raised in West Virginia, University of South Carolina B.S. degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing.  Previously worked with the Red Cross and was Executive Director of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, currently Director of the Sustainable Communities Program for Upstate Forever and Director of Upstate Forever’s Spartanburg office.

Monty Mullen, Treasurer

Born and raised in Spartanburg, USC-Upstate graduate, employed for 32 years with a local engineering consulting firm, S&ME, Inc.  Presently chairman of the PRIDE Task Force, vice-chair of the SPATS Enhancement Committee and former board member of the Spartanburg Area
Conservancy.

Shelley Blount

Born and raised in Columbus, GA, graduate of Georgia Tech and veteran of US Army (1967-1970). Worked for Milliken and Co. at Magnolia Finishing Plant in Blacksburg, SC from 1971 thru 1978. With Zima Corp. in Spartanburg from 1979-1982 and Greenville Machinery Corp in Greer from 1982-1985. Co-owner of Jocassee Designs, Inc. in Duncan, SC from 1985-2010. Co-owner of Tucapau Partners, LLC. Currently serving on the Upstate Workforce Investment Board, member since 1995. Active member of Reidville Road UMC and Chair of Evangelistic Ministries Committee. Member of Greenville-Spartanburg Georgia Tech Club, Executive Committee.

Jan Caldwell

43 year resident of Spartanburg. Eagle Scout 1965-  
Attended USCS and has worked in the printing industry for 40 years. Owner of Southeastern Printing.  Presently serves on the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium board, Printing Industries of the Carolinas executive board and First Citizens Bank of SC Advisory board.  Past board member of the Spartanburg Humane Society and Mobile Meals of Spartanburg.

George M Dickert

Raised in the mountains of southwest Virginia, in the city of Bristol, VA.  Holds a B.S. in Horticulture from Virginia Tech, and a M.S. in Education from the same institution.  Has worked as a greenhouse manager, an estate gardener, and as a representative for a privately owned company based in the Netherlands that administered plant patent agreements throughout the southeastern United States.  Currently employed as an Extension agent with the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service.  Long-time contributing member of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy.  Member of the National Eagle Scout Association, BSA.

Lauren Ponder

Born and raised in Spartanburg, Clemson University degree in Language & International Trade.  Worked with Paramount Carowinds in Charlotte in corporate sales.  Currently with the Spartanburg Convention & Visitors Bureau, involved in all aspects of local tourism and with development.

Patrick K. Prince

Born and raised in the hills of southern Indiana along the Ohio River. University of Kentucky graduate with a BS in Chemistry.  Approaching 21 years with Milliken & Co. in the US, Spain, and Mexico in functions ranging from Process Chemist to Plant Manager.  Avid outdoor enthusiast, husband of 21 years to wife Nancy, and father of three sons.  Active member of the Knights of Columbus and the Spartanburg chapter of ConQuest Club, a program instilling leadership skills in boys aged 6 to 16. 

Mackay Salley

Born in Orangeburg, SC; Wofford College BS in Physics and Math, University of Georgia Ph.D. Physics,  worked at the University of Bern, Switzerland, currently Chairman of Physics Department at Wofford College. Avid outdoorsman, Eagle Scout.

Tom Foster

Family has lived here since the 1700’s. Graduate of Dorman High School and Spartanburg Methodist College. Employed by Williams Gas Pipeline for 31 years, former Spartanburg County Council member and chairman of Livability Committee.  Lt Col in SC State Guard, avid outdoorsman and conservation activist.

Eric Davis

Raised in the foothills of Pickens County, SC. Graduate of the College of Charleston holding a B.A. in History and Master of Public Administration. Returned to the Upstate in 2008 to work for Spartanburg Parks after 10 years in the Charleston area. Served as Outdoor Recreation Coordinator until accepting the Greenways Coordinator position in March of 2011. Organized Tame the Tyger River Race and Festival from 2009-11. Member of the Lawson’s Fork/Pacolet Rivers Paddling Trail Advisory Council and the SPATS Enhancement Committee. Outdoor enthusiast partial to water-based activities such as kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and surfing.