United Way of the Lowcountry (UWLC) is proud to announce Bluffton community member Carol Branch has been elected chairman of its all-volunteer Board of Directors.

Carol brings a wealth of community service to the board, having been involved with United Way of the Lowcountry for several years. She has also served as Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Bluffton and a member of the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Youth Leadership Council.

Prior to retiring to the Lowcountry, Carol spent more than two decades supporting the U.S. Intelligence Community, U.S. Defense Department and working in the private sector worldwide.

“Carol has a strong knowledge of United Way and the desire to help make our community better,” said UWLC President and CEO Dale Douthat. “She will be a great board chair and leader. I am looking forward to working directly with her in her new role and with the rest of the amazing leaders serving on our board.”

United Way’s Board of Directors is comprised of community members who provide governance and philanthropic support to make the Lowcountry a better place to live, work and raise families.

UWLC also welcomes Marge Barber and John Schueler as new board members.

Marge is a retired journalist who has lived in Beaufort since 1991. She was city editor of the Beaufort Gazette for 12 years, during which time she became a United Way public relations volunteer and chair of that committee. She was the first Director of Communications for United Way of Beaufort County. She became a United Way Community Investment volunteer after retiring from the United Way staff, serving as a panel member, a panel chair and most recently co-chair of the committee.

John is the founding principal of Newpoint Partners, an advisory firm that assists companies in developing and executing business growth strategies. John has held executive positions with three leading global companies in the clinical diagnostics field, spending most of his career with the Diagnostics Division at Abbott Laboratories, a global medical device corporation based outside of Chicago. In addition to Executive Management, his work experience includes international sales and marketing, manufacturing operations and finance. Prior to coming to Beaufort in 2019, John was General Manager of the Clinical Diagnostic Reagent business for Thermo Fisher, Inc. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan.

“We are fortunate that Marge and John share our vision to create opportunity and access that empowers residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties to thrive,” said Douthat. “They are joining a board of respected community leaders committed to helping Lowcountry families achieve economic well-being.”

Click here to see United Way of the Lowcountry’s full 2022-2023 Board of Directors.

About United Way of the Lowcountry
Since the 1950s, United Way of the Lowcountry has been working to create a better life for the residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties. Our focus is on protecting services vital to the immediate basic needs of the most vulnerable members of our community; while making long term investments in education, economic mobility and health, because these are the building blocks for a good quality of life. We bring together people and organizations from across the Lowcountry who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. Each year, United Way raises funds through our annual campaign, special events and grants. Just as funds are raised locally, United Way funds stay local. Learn how you can be a part of United Way at www.uwlowcountry.org.

Carole Branch

Marge Barber

John Schueler