Karen Floyd
Encyclopedia
Karen Floyd is an American
politician
from the state of South Carolina
. She currently serves as the chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party
.
. In 2006 Floyd was the Republican nominee for Superintendent of Education. She was defeated by Jim Rex
by only 455 votes the closest margin of victory in a statewide election in South Carolina's history. She has served as chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party since May 2009.
President, Student Bar Association; Daniel McLeod Scholarship Award
Chairperson, Academic Honor Board; Elizabeth King Elliott Fellowship Award
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from the state of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. She currently serves as the chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party
South Carolina Republican Party
The South Carolina Republican Party and the South Carolina Democratic Party are the two major political parties within the U.S. state of South Carolina...
.
Political life
Karen Floyd was the first woman to serve as the chair of the Spartanburg County Council, and serves on the South Carolina Ports Authority Board as well as the Chairman for the South Carolina Republican PartySouth Carolina Republican Party
The South Carolina Republican Party and the South Carolina Democratic Party are the two major political parties within the U.S. state of South Carolina...
. In 2006 Floyd was the Republican nominee for Superintendent of Education. She was defeated by Jim Rex
Jim Rex
Jim Rex was the 16th South Carolina Superintendent of Education. He ran for the position in 2006 as a Democrat, against Karen Floyd, a Republican. Rex defeated Floyd by only 455 votes, the closest margin of victory in a statewide election in South Carolina's history...
by only 455 votes the closest margin of victory in a statewide election in South Carolina's history. She has served as chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party since May 2009.
Employment
- 1999 to Present
- Palladian Group, Chief Executive Officer
- In 1999, Floyd founded the Palladian Group, which serves marketing, technology, and development needs of clients worldwide. Floyd oversees four divisions and over 30 employees.
Education
- 1986 University of South Carolina School of LawUniversity of South Carolina School of LawThe University of South Carolina School of Law, also known as South Carolina Law or SC Law, is one of the professional schools of the University of South Carolina. South Carolina Law was founded in 1867 in Columbia, South Carolina and is the only public and non-profit law school in the state of...
President, Student Bar Association; Daniel McLeod Scholarship Award
- 1983 Goucher CollegeGoucher CollegeGoucher College is a private, co-educational, liberal arts college located in the northern Baltimore suburb of Towson in unincorporated Baltimore County, Maryland, on a 287 acre campus. The school has approximately 1,475 undergraduate students studying in 31 majors and six interdisciplinary...
; Bachelor of Arts
Chairperson, Academic Honor Board; Elizabeth King Elliott Fellowship Award
Affiliations
- Spartanburg County, SC, and American Bar Association, 1986 to present
- American Judiciary Society, 1990 to present
- Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Board Member 1998 to 2002; Board of Governors 2005 to present
- South Carolina Ports Authority, Board Member 2007 to 2012
- Piedmont Area Girl Scouts, Board Member/Nominating Committee to 2008
- Human Resources Management Association, 1994 to 2000
- Arts Partnership, Board Member 1998 to 2006
- Susan B. Komen Upstate Race for the Cure, Founding Board Member 1998, Secretary 1999 to 2001
- Spartanburg Development Council, Board of Directors, 1998 to 2002
- Share the Vision, Board Member 1998 to 2002 Co-Chairman 1999 to 2002
- YMCAYMCAThe Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
, Executive Board 1999 to 2002 - Palmetto Conservation Foundation, Board of Directors 2000 to 2002
- United Way Campaign, Board Member 2001 to 2003
- Department of Natural Resources, Board Member 2004 to 2006
- Board Representative prior to 1998
- Spartanburg County Higher Education Commission, Member
- National Council Chain Restaurants, Board of Trustees
- Governor's Leadership Forum
- Spartanburg County Little Theater, Board of Trustees
- Spartanburg County Children's Shelter
- SAFE Homes Network
- Department of Mental Health, Board Advisor
- Children's Coalition Against Sexual Abuse, Board Member
- DSS Treatment Team, Board Member
- International Franchise Association, Board Member
Notable achievements
Mrs. Floyd has achieved many awards throughout her career, including:- Order of the PalmettoOrder of the PalmettoThe Order of the Palmetto is the highest civilian honor awarded by the Governor of South Carolina. It is awarded to persons who make contributions of statewide significance. An auxiliary honor is "The Order of the Silver Crescent." Today it is awarded to persons who make community or professional...
(South Carolina's highest award) - Business and Professional Women Club, Woman of the Year
- Spartanburg Technical College, Woman of the Year/Politics
- Career Woman of the Year
- Outstanding Young Woman of the Year
- Toast of the Town, Salvation ArmySalvation ArmyThe Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....