Commission Members 2026-2027
Chair
Joe Lewis
Joe Lewis is the senior vice president/financial services officer with Security Federal Bank and has 40 years of experience in commercial and retail banking. He is involved in the community as a member of the Rotary Club of Aiken and also serves as a board member of the Applied Research Center, and the Endowment Committee and Church Council of St. John’s Methodist Church. Lewis has a bachelor’s degree in administrative management from Clemson University. Lewis was recognized as the 2025 Trustee of the Year for the Southern Region by the Association of Community College Trustees.
Vice Chair
William Windley
William (Bill) Windley is retired from Kimberly-Clark Co., where he had worked for over 37 years. During his time with the company, he was responsible for the coordination of the mill’s capital budget, managing various capital projects, and training other engineers on the company’s capital project procedures. He is a member of Grace United Methodist Church, where he serves as head usher. Windley received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Secretary
Keyatta Priester
Keyatta Priester is the Community Development Manager for Aiken Electric Cooperative and has worked in the energy industry for more than 26 years. She holds a Master of Business Management from Southern Wesleyan University and has extensive experience in community relations, economic development, communications, and nonprofit leadership. Priester currently serves as president of the Rotary Club of Aiken and chair of Women United for United Way of Aiken County. She previously served as board chair of United Way of Aiken County and has served on the Aiken Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She is a past board chair of the South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners and previously served on the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Board of Directors. In 2025, Priester was recognized as the Aiken Chamber of Commerce’s Woman of the Year and was also honored by The Post and Courier as one of South Carolina’s “12 Black Leaders to Know.”
Jennifer Curtis
Jennifer Curtis is retired from Savannah River Nuclear Solutions as its senior vice president and general counsel, a role she held for over 12 years. In that position, she oversaw legal activities for SRNS in the execution of its Savannah River Site management and operations contract. Her 40-year career includes working as counsel for organizations such as Fluor Corporation, New York Power Authority, and the Metro North Commuter Railroad. Curtis has also served on the board of the Center for African American History, Art, and Culture since 2010, including 10 years as president. She is chair of the board, where she has led renovation and construction efforts, management, and operations for the center.
Norman Dunagan
Norman Dunagan has founded multiple ventures in the agriculture, hospitality, real estate, and technology industries. His portfolio includes Dumpster Depot, Whiskey Alley, Prime Steakhouse, Turkey Creek Cattle Company, and various real estate investments. In addition to his business ventures, Dunagan mentors aspiring leaders, delivers leadership training to restaurant teams, and supports financial education initiatives for underserved communities. Before transitioning into entrepreneurship, Dunagan held a management career at Frito-Lay.
Paul Hanna
Paul Hanna is the director of human resources and volunteer services at Aiken Regional Medical Centers and has over 20 years of human resources experience in the acute healthcare and luxury hospitality fields. Hanna also serves on advisory boards for the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department and the Aiken County Career and Technology Center and is the troop committee chair for Scout Troop 115. He has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from West Virginia University.
Dorian Newton, D.Eng
Dorian Newton D.Eng is the deputy director of site training with Savannah River Nuclear Solutions. In this role, he is responsible for strategic and tactical direction for multiple Savannah River Site training programs. He is a naval veteran with nearly 30 years of military service and civilian experience in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and at sites across the U.S. Department of Energy complex. Newton also serves as a board member on the Lower Savannah Council of Governments Local Workforce Development Board. He has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Old Dominion University and a Master of Science in Systems Engineering and Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management from The George Washington University.
Alvin Padgett
Alvin Padgett is retired and is the former owner of Palmetto Tire & Brake Center, which he opened after retiring from the Savannah River Site. At the Site, he worked for E.I. DuPont, where he held several positions in the maintenance organization and worked for the Department of Energy on the back-up power committee. Padgett serves as the scoutmaster for a local boy scout troop and is the minister of music at his church. He graduated from the Nashville Auto Diesel College.
Mike Uhle
Mike Uhle Mike is the human resources manager at the Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, Aiken Off Road Radial tire plant. He has served on the Human Resources Board for the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, where he also served as board chair, served as the corporate gifts chair for the United Way of Aiken County Campaign for several years, and served on the Board of Directors for Public Education Partners and the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce. Uhle also coached youth baseball and basketball in Aiken for many years.
Ex-Officio
Teresa Haas
Teresa Haas is retired from Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), where she served as the director of government and community relations. Prior to SRS, she managed political campaigns and worked as chief of staff and legislative director for members of the U.S. Congress. She is a member of the Aiken County Commission on Higher Education, past president of the Aiken Women’s Heart Board, and past chair of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Haas is a member of Aiken’s First Baptist Church and a graduate of Clemson University.
Ex-Officio
Corey Murphy, Ph.D
Corey Murphy, Ph.D became superintendent of Aiken County Public Schools in July 2024. He has served in public education for nearly 30 years, with the most recent position being the school district’s Chief Officer of Operations and Student Services. He has a bachelor’s degree in biology, a Master in Educational Leadership and Supervision, an Educational Specialist in Administration, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration, all from the University of South Carolina. Murphy also holds Superintendent Certification in both South Carolina and Virginia, as well as Pre-K-12 Administration and Supervision Certification (Virginia) and Secondary Principal and Supervisor Certification (South Carolina). He is also a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources.