{"id":4508,"date":"2026-08-11T06:32:48","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T06:32:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=4508"},"modified":"2026-08-11T06:32:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T06:32:48","slug":"columbia-chamber-president-carl-blackstone-is-stepping-down-what-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=4508","title":{"rendered":"Columbia Chamber President Carl Blackstone is stepping down. What to know"},"content":{"rendered":"<article><!-- --><!-- --><!-- WPS-5038 -- removed the script from WPS and added the placeholder for trinity player --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- CONTENT --><!--[--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>The leader of one of Columbia\u2019s key business organizations is stepping down after a number of years.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=4504\">Feds indict ex-Rock Hill teacher on charges of distributing child sex videos<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Carl Blackstone is resigning as the president and CEO of the Columbia Chamber, he said in a Monday afternoon email to chamber partners. He has led the organization since 2014. Blackstone said in the email that he will \u201cpursue a new professional opportunity.\u201d The longtime chamber leader didn\u2019t specify his next role.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile this decision was not an easy one, I leave with immense pride in all that we have accomplished together and with great confidence in the future of the Columbia region,\u201d Blackstone said. \u201cThrough a shared commitment to collaboration among business, government, education, military, nonprofit, and community leaders, Columbia has grown stronger and more connected than ever.<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe region is well-positioned for continued growth and prosperity, with a strong foundation built on partnership, innovation, and a collective vision for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Columbia Chamber board Chairman Terrance Ford told The State Monday evening that Blackstone will be leaving the chamber at the end of August, and that the board is still working through the logistics of possible interim leadership. Ford will chair a search committee for the Columbia Chamber\u2019s next president, and that search will begin immediately.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=4503\">\u2018He died a hero\u2019: Georgia man who drowned saving girl in Myrtle Beach remembered<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Blackstone couldn\u2019t be reached for additional comment Monday evening.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>A College of Charleston graduate, Blackstone worked in the political realm before landing at the Columbia Chamber. He was a senior legislative advisor to S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford, serving as the governor\u2019s liaison to the South Carolina Senate and House of Representatives. Before that, he served as a district field manager for Sanford during Sanford\u2019s first stint U.S. House of Representatives.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Blackstone also is a former government relations advisor for the clients of Copper Dome Strategies, LLC, a subsidiary of Haynsworth Sinker Boyd, P.A.<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>\u201cServing the Columbia Chamber since 2014 has been one of the greatest honors of my professional career,\u201d Blackstone said in his Monday statement. \u201cOver the past twelve years, I have had the privilege of working alongside an incredible Board of Directors, a talented and dedicated staff, and engaged Chamber Partners who are deeply committed to strengthening our business community and improving the quality of life throughout the Midlands.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=4502\">Feds indict ex-Rock Hill teacher on charges of distributing child sex videos<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--]--><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Carl Blackstone, president and CEO of the Columbia Chamber business advocacy group, is resigning after 12 years. The chamber board will search for a new leader.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4508","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-local"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Columbia Chamber President Carl Blackstone is stepping down. What to know - US Moving Experts<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/usmovingexpertss.com\/?p=4508\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Columbia Chamber President Carl Blackstone is stepping down. 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