Polaris Tech Charter Steering Committee

Ms. Sandra Chavez
Organization Development

Sandra is the Polaris Tech Committee Chairperson and has held leadership roles and led strategic initiatives for the Beaufort County School District, the AT&T Corporation, Wilson Learning Corporation and her consulting business, Performance By Design.  Sandra’s area of expertise is organizational development informed by key performance metrics linked to people and processes.  

Email: SandraChavez@polaristech.org

Dr. John Lundin
Information Technology

John has a diverse and extensive information technology background. His consulting practice enables businesses to design, plan and implement IT strategy, architecture, infrastructure and tools and he is actively engaged with employing technologies into education for more effective and more engaged learning.

Email: JohnLundin@polaristech.org

General Lloyd ‘Fig’ Newton
Careers, Military and Professional Development

Fig is a retired four-star General with the US Air Force and Executive Vice President, Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Connecticut. The General is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in the T-37, T-38, F-4, F-15, F-16, C-12 and the F-117 stealth fighter. He has commanded three wings, an air division and held numerous senior staff positions. He was born in Ridgeland, South Carolina, where he graduated from Jasper High School.

Email: LloydNewton@polaristech.org

Mr. Robert Norwood
Treasurer, Finance and Operations

Bob is the Polaris Tech Committee Treasurer. Bob is a graduate of Stanford University and has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry.  Before retiring, Bob, was Senior VP for USI, one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in the U.S.  Bob moved to the Lowcountry in 1999 and has served on the boards of the United Way and Beaufort County Coalition of Aging in Place.  He is currently on the board of Coastal Carolina Hospital. He also founded and served as the first president of the Healthcare Network of the Lowcountry.

Email: BobNorwood@polaristech.org 

Dr. William Singleton, Jr.
Education Administration and Community Development

Bill is a retired educator with more than 33 years serving in various capacities in Jasper County School System.  He served as Vice Principal, Principal, Supervisor, Director and District Superintendent.  Bill is a life-long resident of Jasper County who has dedicated his entire career to improving the education system.  He also serves on the Beaufort/Jasper Water/Sewer Authority, Board of Directors and the Beaufort Fund representing the Coastal Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

Email: WilliamSingleton@polaristech.org

Dr. Catherine M. Smith
Career and Technology Education, Guidance, and Education Administration

Catherine is a retired educator with more than 28 years serving in various roles in public schools and community technical colleges in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and South Carolina.  She served as Vice President and President of New Hampshire Technical College, Executive Director of the Beaufort Jasper Academy for Career Excellence, and CATE Coordinator, Assistant Principal and Teacher Mentor for Beaufort County School District.  Catherine has lived in the lowcountry for 14 years. Her career is committed to career and technology education and career and college readiness.

Email: CatherineSmith@polaristech.org

Ms. Kim Statler
Economic Development and Career Development

Kim is the Polaris Tech Committee Vice Chairperson and currently works for the South Carolina Department of Commerce as the Regional Workforce Advisor for the Lowcountry Region.  Prior to working for the State of South Carolina, Kim led economic development efforts in the Lowcountry for 8 years, first as the Executive Director of the Lowcountry Economic Network and later the Lowcountry Economic Alliance.  

Email: KimStatler@polaristech.org

Dr. Daisy Nelson White
Organization and Community Outreach

Daisy is an Executive Coach to senior leaders in both the for-profit and not-for-profit arenas. She has expertise in developing executives' capacity to achieve results with total integrity, and to manage the diverse demands and expectations of diverse constituent groups.  She is an entrepreneur and senior executive and has extensive training and experience in group and family dynamics.  Daisy is co-author of the e-book "Getting to the Great Idea!” 

Email: DaisyWhite@polaristech.org