Midlands Technical College Foundation Welcomes Four New Trustees

The Midlands Technical College Foundation (MTCF) welcomed four new board of trustees members during its last meeting – Jeff Griffin, Derek Raper, Dan Bruinsma, and Katherine Blanchard Whittle. All four trustees will serve on the board through June 2026.

“I am glad to welcome Jeff, Derek, Dan, and Katherine to the Midlands Technical College Foundation Board,” said MTC Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Jim Braun. “MTC is such an important workforce development partner and foundation board members play a key role in ensuring strong relationships that contribute to economic vitality in the Midlands and beyond.”

Jeff Griffin (top left), owner and president of Columbia-based W.O. Blackstone & Co., is an alumnus of MTC, earning his associate in arts in 1996. He also has a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado, Denver.

Derek Raper (top right) is the senior vice president and commercial banking relationship manager with First Citizens Bank in Columbia, South Carolina. Raper earned his bachelor’s degree at Lander University and a Master of Business Administration at Clemson University. He is also a 2014 graduate of the South Carolina Bankers School.

Dan Bruinsma (bottom left) is the director of maintenance at Michelin in Lexington. Bruinsma graduated from North Carolina State University with a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering and has his Master of Business Administration from Ashford University. Bruinsma also served in the US Army for 8 years.

Katherine Blanchard Whittle (bottom right) is the executive director of Joe’s Wish, Blanchard Machinery Company’s internal employee relief fund, and a member of the Community and Employee Relations team. Whittle has as bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Liberty University.

MTC Foundation CEO Nancy McKinney added, “Midlands Technical College is proud to have these outstanding individuals dedicate their time and talents to advancing the mission of the foundation and the college. We are grateful for their interest and advocacy.”

About the Midlands Technical College Foundation (MTCF)
The MTCF is a 501c3 organization that builds and sustains relationships resulting in charitable gifts that support MTC. Gifts and grants to the MTCF help ensure student access to quality education and training, enhance facilities and equipment, and improve the lives of students, faculty and staff, and the broader Midlands community. More at MIDLANDSTECH.EDU/about/mtc-foundation.