Members enjoyed hearing from Kiawah resident Traci Turner, who spent over 25 years as an expert and manager of Executive Protection. Her talk was fascinating and entertaining, highlighting how she started her career right out of college at a new company specializing in the protection of foreign diplomats as they visited Washington. She currently leads Executive Protection services at the public company, Coinbase, and has headed protection for presidential candidates as well as CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies. She emphasized the importance of awareness of surroundings and how executive entrances and exits from events were high risk points of focus. Being able to think fast and make decision are critical in Executive Protection – a skill she also employed in serving as a referee for women’s college basketball. In refereeing and protection, preparing ahead of time for possible outcomes was essential. The luncheon attendees enjoyed her wit and open speaking style and were full of questions on tips for reducing their concerns about security. Being alert in high risk situations and minimizing opportunity for threats is recommended. She emphasized the guideline, COMPLACENCY LEADS TO CATASTROPHE.
The February luncheon was kicked off by remarks from Arts, etc. President Amy Creamer and Barbara McDuffie, Director of Development. Amy highlighted the work being done on reviewing the organization’s strategic direction with input from members and a Board retreat in January – look for more discussion and plans later this Spring. Barbara was happy to report the pieces of the upcoming April 5 House Tour are coming together nicely. Ticket sales just started and there were excellent student submissions for the logo for the Tour with the winning submission from a 10-year Angel Oak student. Finalists will be on display at an Exhibit at First National Bank at Freshfield in March.