There is a new face to accompany the new “Hub” at White Oak Conference Center.
Marion Spearman, who joined the convention staff as associate director of the 30-year-old conference center near Winnsboro, brings several years of experience in the food service industry to his job, which he began March 23. It is one of his chief assets as associate director, a position that also includes day-to-day operations of the center, including guest services, housekeeping and office work.
Marion Spearman“Marion’s background and education in business management were the primary reasons we thought he would work well at White Oak Conference Center,” said Tim Hughes, director of the center. “Also, his character, Christian witness, and Christian maturity really stood out – and his seeing this job as a ministry.”
Spearman is a native of Blythewood and a member of Sandy Level Baptist Church. He graduated in May 2007 from the University of South Carolina. His bachelor’s degree in business administration included a focus on hotel, restaurant, and tourism administration. He was employed for several years by Chick-fil-A, working his way up to management.
“One of the key business ideas of Chick-fil-A is exceeding customer expectations,” he said, “which is exactly the White Oak staff motto. My background is that – thinking of customer needs before they ask. I want to see guests’ needs and meet them before they even bring them to me.”
Spearman is no stranger to White Oak. He attended Summersalt events as a young person and later as a chaperone, and taught at several Joy Retreats for mentally and physically disabled adults.
The Hub – Spearman’s chief focus in his early months – is part of a $1.5 million construction and renovation project underway at White Oak. When complete, it will be a large, open center replacing the current arrangement of canteen, gift shop, and lobby areas. The Hub will include a full-service caf? capable of serving groups as small as eight people or catering for larger groups, an 18-seat theater, creative learning spaces, an outdoor fire pit, and other activity areas. – SCBC