Controversy surrounds Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance hire with a $200,000 salary

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David Hucks
David Huckshttps://myrtlebeachsc.com
David Hucks is a 12th generation descendant of the area we now call Myrtle Beach, S.C. David attended Coastal Carolina University and like most of his family, has never left the area. David is the lead journalist at MyrtleBeachSC.com

The Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance announced on April 6th the hiring of Jason Greene as its new Chief Executive Officer. He replaces Amy Barrett, who submitted a resignation letter on Feb. 20. Her last day of work was Tuesday. Greene is expected to take over as the Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance CEO on May 1, 2023.

Greene was formerly the Director of Habitat for Humanity of Horry County.

Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance

Over the past three years, I have worked closely with Jason and have been consistently impressed by his work ethic, personal community relationships, and leadership skills,” wrote new Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance Chairman Dan Sine, in an April 6th press release announcing the hire.

Sine was recently appointed as the Chair the Board of the Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance. Dan Sine is a highly respected Realtor with over 21 years of experience along the Grand Strand. Originally from Binghamton, New York. Dan has called the Myrtle Beach area home for over 25 years, including his time at Coastal Carolina University.

Greene was recruited by One Grand Strand to fill Barrett’s vacancy. One Grand Strand is the Downtown Alliance’s parent organization. Greene was once listed as a board member for One Grand Strand.

The Myrtle Beach Sun News has raised concerns about the hire, stating: There was no search for candidates, posts about the position, or even an interview for the high-paid leadership position.

The Sun News states: Greene is expected to finalize a contract with Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance in the coming days that will pay him $200,000 a year — a 157% pay bump from the $77,702 he earned at Habitat, according to its most recent 990 IRS filing.

The amount is also $40,000 more than what Barrett was being paid.

The Downtown Alliance Board responded to concerns with a statement that reads: “A $200,000 salary was well within the appropriate salary range paid by similar organizations in comparable downtowns. Further, testing the pay grades locally revealed that Matt Kennell, the CEO of the Columbia, SC, (downtown group) … received a $208,000 base salary in 2020.”

DOWNTOWN STRUGGLES CONTINUE

This week, MyrtleBeachSC News chronicled the ongoing issues between One Grand Strand, The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Myrtle Beach as privately funded re-development is slow in coming.

MAYOR BETHUNE RESPONDS TO LOCAL PAPER

Absolutely no one should be concerned about the future of downtown, because the city is in control of downtown,” she said. “We have a great partnership with the (Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance), and that will continue. We feel very, very positive about the direction and Jason Greene, but it’s up to us to keep that ball rolling and moving forward.”

The Board of the Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance then issued the following in response.

Relevant Background Informa… by MyrtleBeachSC news

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