Board of Directors

John R. Sanders, MD, President 

Arriving in Greenville in 1975, John Sanders practiced orthopaedic surgery with the Piedmont Orthopaedic Clinic for 20 years, after which he joined the Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center as the vice president, medical staff affairs. In that role, he was responsible for assuring the medical staff carried out credentialing and privileging requirements and had oversight responsibility for hospital system-wide activities in the areas of quality management, infection control, and accreditation.

During his time practicing with Piedmont Orthopaedics, he assisted the Furman University Athletic Department as a team physician. He continues to serve as the medical director for the Furman Sports Medicine Center.

He has served on the South Carolina Hospital Association Board of Directors and the Board of Palmetto Hospital Trust Services.

Dr. Sanders obtained his BS in chemistry from Mississippi State University and attended medical school at the Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans. During his internship, he met the wonderful woman who became his wife, Barbara.

Following two years with the US Navy in Charleston, they resided in Atlanta during his orthopaedic surgery residency. They now have two daughters, including one residing in Charlotte who practices as a radiology technician with Charlotte Radiology. The other is a graduate of Furman University, now living in California and raising two beautiful daughters.

Dr. Sanders now works with the Carolina Center for Medical Excellence in Columbia, which reviews activities related to Medicare, and is a consultant for Joint Commission Resources.

Dr. and Mrs. Sanders have lived in Greenville for over 30 years, loving all of the activities the region provides and the wonderful people who share it with them.

Walter Goldsmith, Vice-President

Walter Goldsmith is a native of Greenville, South Carolina, and works with First Southwest Company, an investment banking firm specializing in the municipal bond sector. Mr. Goldsmith provides advisory services to issuers of tax-exempt municipal bonds, including hospitals, colleges and universities, retirement communities, and cities and counties in the Southeast. He has spent the past ten years in the municipal securities industry, structuring fixed and variable rate financing, and taxable and tax-exempt issues with a variety of structures. He has worked to finance a variety of not-for-profit projects throughout North Carolina and South Carolina.

Mr. Goldsmith is a member of the Southern Municipal Finance Society and the National Federation of Municipal Analysts. He is also a graduate of Leadership North Carolina Class XII. Mr. Goldsmith is a Registered Representative of the National Association of Securities Dealers. He has completed the Uniform Securities Agent (Series 63), Municipal Securities Representative (Series 52), and General Securities Representative (Series 7) exams.

Mr. Goldsmith earned a bachelor of science from Clemson University.

In addition to serving on the Board of Upstate Senior Living, he serves on the Board of The Children's Circle school in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is an active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Charlotte. Mr. Goldsmith lives in Charlotte with his wife Cindy where he enjoys spending time with his two young daughters, Martha and Virginia.

Larry D. Estridge, Secretary/Treasurer

Larry Estridge has more than 30 years of experience in all facets of real estate development and utilization, including zoning, incentives, and other land use issues. His practice includes representation of buyers, sellers, lenders, brokers, developers, lessors, and lessees. His broad range of transactional experience includes site selection and land planning, negotiation of property tax and job credit incentives, preparation of purchase and sale contracts, supervision of zoning and land use revisions, mortgage-based financing transactions, negotiation and drafting of commercial leases, and litigation involving real estate and zoning issues.

He graduated with a bachelor of arts from Furman University in 1969 and went on to earn a JD from Harvard Law School in 1969. Estridge currently works with the firm Womble Carlyle in Greenville. Prior to that position, he worked for Wyche, Burgess, Freeman & Parham, P.A., in Greenville, and Alston, Miller & Gaines (now Alston & Bird) in Atlanta.

Estridge has held many community leadership positions, including serving on the Board of Trustees at Furman University from 1996-2001 and 2002-present, serving as president of the Children's Museum of the Upstate from 1998-2001, president of the Greenville Central Area Partnership (downtown revitalization) from 1982-83,1987-88, and serving on the Board of Directors of the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce from 1997-2000 and General Counsel, 1997.

He is the co-author of Chapter on Oral Advocacy, S.C. Appellate Practice Manual; Seminar for South Carolina Bar Association, "South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank – An Overview,"January 1999; Seminar for South Carolina Bar Association, "Legal Opinions–Borrower's Perspective," January 1996.

Warren "Ben" Deibler, Chairman, Marketing Committee

Ben Deibler is a founding partner of RB Consulting, where he provides consulting services to a number of companies in the healthcare field. RB Consulting was created to capitalize on 30 years of global business experience including 24 years with Johnson & Johnson. Deibler has spent the majority of his career evaluating, developing, and bringing new technology to the marketplace. Along the way, he gained extensive experience negotiating acquisition and licensing transactions.

Deibler has a BS in finance from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, and an MBA in marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey.

In addition to serving on the Upstate Senior Living Board of Directors, the governing body of The Woodlands at Furman, he is also chairman of The Woodlands' Marketing Committee and serves on the Board of Directors for OcuCure Therapeutics, Inc., an ophthalmic pharmaceutical company, and chairs its Compensation Committee. Additionally, Deibler sits on the Board of Parkland Trust, Inc., and Cliffs Residents Outreach, Inc.

Deibler resides in Cliffs Valley with his wife, Grace, and enjoys spending time with his two grandchildren.

Elaine Estridge Guyton, RN, NHA, Chairperson, Operations Committee 

Elaine Estridge Guyton has spent her entire career in the healthcare industry, with her first 28 years as a registered nurse at now Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, SC, and moving up the professional ladder from staff nurse to associate administrator for patient care services. She retired from Westminster Towers, the first CCRC in Rock Hill, SC. After serving 14 years as its executive director, during her tenure, the community was the first in South Carolina to achieve National Continuing Care Accreditation from the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

Mrs. Guyton has been active in both state and national organizations that influence health care services to all providers. She served as president of the State Association for two years and served as a member of the house of delegates at the national level for three terms.

Mrs. Guyton received her education at the York County Hospital School of Nursing, affiliated with Winthrop University.

In addition to serving on the Woodlands at Furman Board of Directors, she is active at her church, currently serving as chairperson of the Long Range Planning committee, which is in the process of relocating and building a new church. She has taught youth Sunday School for over 20 years, is active in missions programs, and has served on numerous committees within the church. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the local Kiwanis Club and is a past president. She continues her relationship with the South Carolina Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging as an Emeritus member.

Mrs. Guyton resides in Rock Hill with her husband, Charles, and feels very blessed to have their three children and five grandchildren in the same area.

Dr. Sarah Fletcher

Dr. Sarah Fletcher, a native of Rockford, Illinois, received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin (Madison) in elementary education and her masters and doctorate from Indiana University (Bloomington) in recreation and park administration.

She then taught at Clemson University in the recreation department, and later took several years off to be a full-time mom to her two children.  During this time, Dr. Fletcher was an active community volunteer, working with the Girl Scouts, the PTA, the Greenville County Recreation Commission, Leadership Greenville, the Community Planning Council, and many other organizations.

Dr. Fletcher is interested in the field of education and is presently a member of the Alliance for Quality Education. She has served as a board member for the South Carolina Women in Higher Education, co-chaired the capital campaign for the United Way in Greenville County in 2004 with her husband, and is currently serving on the board of Greenville Women Giving, a local philanthropic organization, in addition to holding a membership in the Thursday Club, a group of women who give annual research papers.  In addition, her name and face may be familiar to you: Dr. Fletcher wrote editorials for the Greenville Piedmont for 10 years from 1985 to 1995.

Dr. Fletcher was the director of the Furman University Learning in Retirement Program from its inception in 1993 until she retired in 2008.  She is currently a student and an instructor in that program, which is now called the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Furman (OLLI @ Furman).  

William B. Howes 

William B. Howes is the retired chairman and CEO of Inland Paperboard and Packaging, Inc. He also served as the executive vice president and member of the board of directors of Temple-Inland, Inc., Inland's parent company. Howes joined Inland, formerly Inland Container Corporation, in 1990 as executive vice president and became president and chief operating officer in April 1992. In 1993 he was named chairman and chief executive officer.

Previously, Howes was affiliated with Union Camp Corporation, beginning in 1962 as a sales and marketing trainee. His most recent position with the company was senior vice president-converting, where he had responsibility for all converting including bag, corrugated packaging, overseas converting, folding carton, and school supplies. Howes also had responsibility for Kraft Mill Division's planning and sales. Prior to that time, Howes moved through the sales ranks of the corrugated division before moving to the bag division, where he became vice president and general manager. He later held the same position in the corrugated division.

A native of Washington, D.C., Howes was raised in Arlington, Virginia, and graduated in 1955 from Washington-Lee High School. He is a 1959 graduate of Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, with a bachelor's degree in political science. While at Furman he played football and baseball and earned a commission as a second lieutenant in the US Army. He served on active duty for over two years and in the reserves for two years, attaining the rank of captain. In addition, he completed the Harvard University Advanced Management Program.

Howes was active in his profession, with membership in the American Forest and Paper Association, the Kraft liner Manufacturers Institute, and The Paper Industry Management Association. He is the past president of the Paper Bag Association, past chairman and director of International Corrugated Case Association (ICCA), and past director of the National Council of Paper Industry for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc. He also served as a director of both the Paper Shipping Sack Association and the Fiber Box Association.

Howes served as director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, director of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, and director of the Corporate Community Council of Indianapolis. He is a former director of the Patterson, New Jersey, Hospital. Listed in Who's Who, he has served as a trustee of Furman University since 1996, having served as chair for two years. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Upstate Senior Living.

Howes resides in Flat Rock, North Carolina, with his wife, Mary. They are active members of St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church. The Howes have two grown children and three grandchildren.

James A. "Jim" Neal

Jim Neal is a licensed architect and the founder of Neal Price Architects in Greenville, SC. The 32-person firm is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and Neal continues a part-time leadership role. Neal became a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects in 1997 and received the AIA S.C. Medal of Distinction in 1999. He served on the National AIA Board from 1988-99 representing North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina.

His background includes being a licensed general contractor and a part-time faculty member of the College of Architecture for Clemson University. Neal's firm has designed several community retirement centers as well as senior centers.

Other organizations that he has participated in include: Senior Deacon, First Baptist Church; President, Poinsett Club; Chair, Mayors Advisory Committee; Board of Visitors, Leadership Greenville IX; Winthrop College Advisory Board; Wachovia Bank; and the Pilots Association.

Neal is married to Leonette Neal and enjoys spending time with his daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Ben Norwood

William N. Page 

A Greenville resident for over 50 years, Bill Page is a graduate of Hamilton College and Harvard Business School. A retired Navy Reserve Commander, he retired several years ago after serving as president of Insignia Financial Group, at that time the nation's largest property manager.

Page has been involved in a wide variety of community activities with special emphasis on education. He served as chairman of the committee (appointed by then-Governor Dick Riley) responsible for the design of the Education Improvement Act in 1983. In 2002 he received the Elizabeth Payden Scipio (on behalf of children) award from SC First Steps, in 2004 the Life Achievement Award from the National PTA, and in 2005 the Urban League's Humanitarian Award. In 1987, he was awarded the Order of the Palmetto (South Carolina's highest award) for service to public education.

He was an elected member of the Board of Trustees of the School District of Greenville County serving for seven years (1965-1972) during the period of school integration. He also has been the chairman of the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce and was an appointee of Secretary Riley on the National Board for the Improvement of Post secondary Education. He helped organize The Alliance for Quality Education and currently serves on the finance committee of the YWCA, the United Way's School Readiness Council, as well as on Furman's Advisory Council.

Bill Pierce 

Bill Pierce is professor and chair of the Health and Exercise Science Department at Furman University, co-author of Runner's World: Run Less, Run Faster, and co-founder of the Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training (FIRST). FIRST promotes running as a healthy physical activity by providing training based on scientific principles and research. Pierce, listed as one of 10 marathon supercoaches by Runner's World magazine, has made hundreds of presentations on fitness, wellness, and running. He and FIRST have been featured in articles in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Business Week, Men's Journal, Runner's World, and many other newspapers and magazines across the country.

Pierce is actively involved in promoting wellness as a co-founder of "Activate Greenville," a year-round healthy living awareness program. In addition to serving since 2005 as a member of the Upstate Senior Living Board of Directors, he serves on Greenville Forward's Health & Wellness Task Force, Greenville Obesity Coalition, and the Blue Shoe Steering Committee.

Pierce graduated from Davidson College with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1971. He earned a master's degree in sport studies from West Virginia University and a doctorate in physical education from Virginia Tech. In addition to his 26 years at Furman, his past professional experiences include teaching positions at Bluefield College (VA), Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia, and Idaho State University.

He resides in Greenville with his wife, Marianne, who is a professor of business administration at Furman.

Dr. David Shi 

Dr. David E. Shi became president of Furman University in 1994. Prior to that, he spent one year as Furman's vice president for academic affairs and another 17 years teaching history at Davidson College. He is the author of several books, including The Simple Life: Plain Living and High Thinking in American Culture (1985). He is also co-author of the best-selling textbook America: a Narrative History, now in its seventh edition. His columns and essays have been published in newspapers across the country and are heard regularly on South Carolina Educational Radio.

In 2006-07, Dr. Shi chaired the Board of Directors for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. He is currently a member of the Chronicle of Higher Education/New York Times Higher Education Cabinet, a group of presidents and chancellors charged with identifying the key issues and trends in higher education. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of American Colleges and Universities. A 1973 graduate of Furman, he holds MA and PhD degrees in history from the University of Virginia.