Staff

Jim is an Army “brat” from Columbus, Georgia and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. He served as an Army Infantry officer for 26 years, before retiring at the rank of Colonel. He lived in 48 different homes in eight states and four countries before settling in Columbia.

He has a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of South Carolina as well as a Master’s Degree in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University in Washington, DC. He served on the staff and faculty at the University of South Carolina, the US Army Command and General Staff College at Ft Leavenworth, KS, the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, and at the US Army College of Infantry and Armor at Ft Benning, GA. He also served as a strategic planner in Workforce Development for the South Carolina Department of Commerce where he advised workforce regions on their workforce development strategic plans. Immediately prior to his current job, he was the Chief of Training Development at Ft Benning, Georgia. For the last nine years, Jim has served as the CEO for the South Carolina Council on Economic Education.

Jim is a proud parent of two sons Roe (32), who currently lives in Hong Kong, and is a Founding Partner of Brutal Buddha, a men's activewear company, and Andrew (28) who is the Founder of Grey Noise IO, LLC, a cyber security company in Washington, DC. He has two step-children, Christopher (21) and Caroline Hynes (19), both of whom attend the Honors College at UofSC. His wife, Kelly, is a board certified ophthalmologist and owns 20/20 Vision on St. Julian Drive. They live in the Shandon neighborhood in Columbia, SC.

Chandler Jordan is the Program Director for the South Carolina Council for Economic Education (dba SC Economics), where she facilitates workshops and supports K-12 teachers. Originally from Greenville, South Carolina, she has a bachelor’s degree from USC Upstate and a master’s degree from Converse College. Chandler spent multiple years in the classroom as a Government, Economics, and AP Macroeconomics teacher before transitioning to full time with the South Carolina Council in 2018. Chandler is an AP Reader for Macroeconomics, a member of the National Economic Educators Association, on the Board of the SC Jump$tart Coalition, on the South Carolina Financial Literacy Board of Trustees, and an active member of the Junior League of Columbia. In her free time, Chandler enjoys traveling, supporting the South Carolina Gamecocks, and spending time with family. Chandler lives in Columbia, SC with her husband, Keach, a Certified Public Accountant with Sheehan, Hancock and Godwin, LLP, and their pug, Kirby.

I was raised in Charleston, South Carolina attending the public schools of Charleston County and graduated with a B.S. degree in Business Administration - Accounting from the University of South Carolina. I have served on several boards including the Board of Directors of National Association of Women Business Owners, as President of the Board of Directors of a Homeowners Association and I was a visiting professor at Columbia College's celebration of Women's History Week. One of the most challenging and rewarding pleasures of my life is the privilege to work with The Women's Shelter in Columbia. Since 1996, I have been involved with the management of their 15 facilities helping the shelter by providing reasonable accountability which leads to stability for the residents. My husband, Michael, and I, live in the Shandon area and have a successful small business called Renaissance Designs, a custom cabinetry and furniture business. We have a daughter who works for Palmetto Health and son-in-law, a recent graduate of USC's nursing program, who works at Palmetto Baptist. It is a delight to have them nearby and their daughter, our granddaughter, who is 3 years old, is perfect joy!

My roots as a South Carolinian were established in Whitmire, a small manufacturing town where every face is familiar. I graduated from Whitmire High School in 2002, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 2005 from the University of South Carolina. I also attended graduate school at USC, earning a Master's Degree in Teaching, Secondary Education in 2006. I have taught in Richland School District 2 and Lexington 1 for a total of 14 years.  I earned my National Board Certification in Social Studies--Early Adolescence in 2010 and just received my National Board Renewal this year. Currently, I teach economics and AP Microeconomics at Blythewood High School, where I serve as a new teacher mentor and coaching teacher for interns from the University of South Carolina. I was named the 2019 John Morton Excellence in Teaching Economics Award Winner by the national Council for Economic Education and serve as an AP Microeconomics reader and table leader.

 I am so proud to serve as the Project Manager for SC Economics, as this role allows me to  share best practices in teaching economics and personal finance with other teachers. My dual role as a classroom teacher enables me to ensure what our organization promotes and teaches is research based and relevant to teachers and students.  

I am extremely blessed to have married my best friend nearly fourteen years ago, who shares my passion for the "dismal science". My husband, Kurt, teaches economics at Ridge View High School. Together, we have four children, Collin and Cassidy (who are both USC graduates) and twin girls, Harper and Hayden (8). We make our home in Lexington. I enjoy traveling, spontaneous adventures, reading, cooking, and spending time with my family. I am excited to continue advocating for economic education and financial literacy around our great state!

Megan was born and raised in Lexington, South Carolina where she still resides with her husband, Ryan, and baby girl, Ava Rae. She graduated from The University of South Carolina with her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and Master’s in Sport and Entertainment Management. She later went on to get her second Master’s in Learning and Technology.

She taught elementary school for two years in Batesburg-Leesville and middle school math for three years in Lexington. During her time in the classroom she became involved with SC Economics through their competitions, and later became a Financial Literacy Master Teacher.

Megan is excited to join the SC Economics team as a Project Manager, overseeing student programs. She is passionate about engaging with students and teachers K-12 and sharing her love for Financial Literacy through programs offered through SC Economics. In her free time you can find Megan enjoying time with her family, playing tennis and traveling.