Spartanburg Community College (SCC) business professor Daryl Smith will have a new job Jan. 1 as the executive director at the college's Cherokee County branch campus.

Smith has been the department head for the college's business administration program in Spartanburg since 2002. He joined Spartanburg Community College after nearly 20 years working in the business world at Mettler Toledo Inc. and First Union Bank.

Smith holds a master's degree in business administration from Clemson University and a bachelor's degree in pre-law from the University of South Carolina. His immediate duties at his new position will involve the completion of Cherokee County campus construction projects and working with SCC to develop the academic programs.

He will oversee all programs and activities, communications and coordinate planning of the Cherokee County branch campus education and training programs with SCC's main campus in Spartanburg.

"I look forward to using my business experience to help develop a strong partnership with Cherokee County's businesses, leaders, school system, and community organizations," Smith said. "The SCC Cherokee County Campus will be more than a source of education. It will also be an integral part of the economic development and leadership of Cherokee County by providing education and training opportunities that serve students in this area."

The SCC Cherokee County branch campus will consist of the FCC Service and Training Facility, the STC Foundation Training Center and a 22,000 square-foot academic classroom building.

The STC Foundation Training Center is scheduled to open in January of 2007. The academic building is expected to be complete in August of 2007.

Cherokee County residents now drive 60 miles to attend classes at Spartanburg Community College. The new campus in Gaffney will serve between 500 and 1,000 students.

"Daryl's strong leadership skills, extensive community contacts and years of business and industry experience will be an integral part in the development and growth of our Cherokee County Campus," SCC President Dr. Dan Terhune said.

Smith was the first of two administrators SCC announced last week as it puts additional staff in place to support the college's education programs in Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union counties.

On Friday, SCC appointed Mike Forrester as the college's new director of economic development.

Forrester recently retired as Piedmont Natural Gas vice president in South Carolina.

At SCC, he will work closely with executive directors at the college's Cherokee County and Tyger River branch campuses to develop continuing education programs to provide a trained workforce for existing and new businesses.

He will help SCC with its 2007 state legislative efforts and develop the partnerships established through the Spartanburg County Economic Development Corporation North American Market Initiative.