tthomas@chester.k12.sc.us
current term: 01/2025 - 01/2029

Tara Thomas has lived in Edgemoor, S. C. for 34 years. Her husband, who is currently head softball coach at Lewisville High School, and her three children, are all LHS alumni. She received an associate's degree in criminal justice from USC Lancaster, and she is currently a Regulatory Cost Analyst for Comporium, Inc.

She envisions a community where quality education is accessible to all, supported by robust after-school programs that foster a sense of belonging and achievement among the youth. She is driven by the potential to enrich the education system and nurture youth engagement, ensuring their futures are bright and filled with opportunity.

bfort@chester.k12.sc.us
current term: 01/2025 - 01/2029

Brenda Fort graduated from the University of Louisville. She received an MEd from Winthrop University, and graduate credits from the University of South Carolina, Winthrop University, and The College at Braintree, Braintree, Essex, UK. Ms. Fort also has a leadership certification from USC certified 4MAT trainer.

She taught for 22 years in Louisville, KY; Weathersfield Airbase School, Essex, UK; Buford, SC; and Great Falls, SC. She was the principal and assistant principal at Great Falls High School, and then Middle/High for 11 years. She was also the District Testing Coordinator for 1 year. Ms. Fort retired in 2017.

broddey1@chester.k12.sc.us
current term: 01/2023 - 01/2027

Bob Roddey was born and raised in Chester County. He graduated from Chester Senior High and The University of South Carolina.

Mr. Roddey worked in the industry for approximately 6 years. He taught Building Construction at Chester County Career Center for 10 years. He retired from Chester County School District as the Director of Maintenance after 10 1/2 years.

803-377-1477
dshannon@chester.k12.sc.us
current term: 01/2023 - 01/2027

Doug Shannon has been a member of the Chester County Board of School Trustees since 2017.

He has worked in education for over 40 years as a middle and high school teacher and as Director of Adult Education. He is currently employed part-time at Birchwood High School for the SC Department of Juvenile Justice. He holds a BS in education from Clemson and an MBA from Winthrop. He holds Secondary Teaching Certification, Principal Certification, and CATE Director Certification.

803-385-0089
nhwhite@chester.k12.sc.us
current term: 01/2025 - 01/2029

Nakia Houston-White has lived in Chester County her entire life where she attended school, raised her family, and developed her passion for the community.

She attended Winthrop University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She also earned a Master of Psychology from the University of Phoenix. She has an SC Teacher Certification and served as an educator for the Chester County School District for 12 years.

She has a strong passion for impacting education in the community positively and wishes to impact every aspect of students’ lives by ensuring that they have a quality education, the resources, and the opportunities to develop the skills needed to promote productivity and achievement.

803-581-4330
mjames@chester.k12.sc.us
current term: 01/2023 - 01/2027

Maggie J. James is a native of Chester. She is the daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. Amos Feaster and Mr. Alexander Jones. She is the youngest in an extended family of 11 children. She has been married to Robert Kenneth James, Sr. for 48 years. They are proud parents of three adult children, Carmen (Anthony) McClinton, Robert K. (Janine) James, Jr., and Alexander C. (Teresa) James. They have ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Mrs. James was the first African American female elected to the Chester County School Board of Trustees in March 1993. She served as Vice-Chair from 1994 to 2007. Mrs. James was re-elected to the Chester County School Board of Trustees and sworn into office on January 24, 2011, by The Honorable John R. C. King, S. C. House District 44. Mrs. James was elected Chairwoman of the board at that tune. She is the First African American female to ever hold this office and the second African American in nearly 45 years to have held this title. She served as Board Chair from January 2011 until January 2014. Mrs. James served as Vice-Chair from 2019-2020. On January 27, 2020, the beginning of a New Decade Mrs. James was elected Chair of the Chester County Board of School Trustees for the 2020-2021 school year.

kfunderburk@chester.k12.sc.us
current term: 01/2023 - 01/2027