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Stephen Smith is the new executive director at Greer Community Ministries beginning Monday.
“I just love Greer. I feel like I’m coming home,” Smith said. “I’m so excited about this opportunity.”
Smith was chosen to lead GCM following the retirement announcement of Cindy Simpler. Simpler, who led the ministry from May 2013 until now, is leaving to spend more time with her seven grandchildren.
“Both the ministry and the community are grateful to Cindy for her service and wish her well in her retirement,” said Shane Lynn, GCM board chairman. “We are also excited for the future of the ministry under Stephen’s leadership.”
Smith comes to GCM from Triune Mercy Center in Greenville, where he was the operations and volunteer coordinator.
“Following Cindy is going to be tough,” Smith said. “I’m very blessed to have this opportunity. The wheels are already turning.”
A lifelong member of Greer First Presbyterian Church, Smith is married to Stacia and has two sons, Tripp and Colin. He is a graduate of Anderson University where he earned a B.S. in business management.
His road to nonprofit work began when he was laid off from Industrial Distribution Group in 2013. That gave him time to reflect on what he really wanted to do with his life.
“I wanted to help people, but I didn’t know how,” Smith said.
He heard about a part-time opportunity at Triune Mercy Center and called his pastor, Brandi Casto-Waters, to talk about it. A member of the Triune board, she encouraged him to interview for the job. He started part-time, but the job eventually became a full time role.
“If it weren’t for Triune and the path that I feel God has had me on, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity,” Smith said.