Community Foundation of the Lowcountry Welcomes Three New Board of Directors Members

Paula Harper Bethea, a native of Hampton County who graduated from Estill High School and University of South Carolina, is an accomplished leader in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. Bethea is currently the Chair of the Board and CEO of J M Smith Corporation. She previously was the Chief Advancement Officer and Senior Advisor to the President of the University of South Carolina, as well as the Executive Director of the South Carolina Education Lottery. Bethea serves as Chair Emeritus of the United Way of America’s Board of Governors and is active in numerous local, state, and national organizations. She is married to William L. Bethea, Jr., and they reside in Bluffton.

Gene Varn, a lifelong resident of Colleton County and a graduate of Colleton Preparatory Academy, earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of South Carolina (USC). Varn has had a distinguished career with Enterprise Bank of South Carolina. He served as Branch Manager of the Cottageville office for 25 years before transitioning to the bank's main office in Ehrhardt, where he currently serves as Chairman of the Board. Varn has demonstrated a deep commitment to community service and civic engagement and has held leadership roles with various local organizations. He currently serves on the Board of the Lowcountry Artisan Center and the USC Board of Visitors. Varn is a lifelong member of Smoaks Baptist Church.

Dr. Jane T. Upshaw is Distinguished Chancellor Emerita of the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB). A resident of Bluffton for 45 years, she served almost 30 years at USCB as an instructor, professor, Director of Development, and Dean of the Campus. Upshaw led the successful efforts to seek local, regional, university and state-wide support for USCB’s change in role and mission from a two-year to a four-year institution. Upshaw was named the founding chancellor when USCB became baccalaureate in 2002 (fully accredited in 2004). In 2015, Upshaw retired from USCB and received South Carolina's highest civilian recognition, the Order of the Palmetto. She is married to Tom Upshaw, and they have three children and three grandchildren.

CFL board members serve three-year terms and can serve two terms. The 2026-27 CFL board officers are Lynn Jennings Taylor (Chair), Steve Fanelli (Vice-Chair), Doug Wetmore (Treasurer), and Yolanda Branche (Secretary).