In his role with Greenville Forward, Brock is charged with developing and implementing new programs that help Greenville achieve the goals and initiatives of Vision 2025, as well as manage all of the task forces under the Vision 2025 umbrella.

Prior to joining Greenville Forward, Brock's was in communications and marketing, most recently serving as an Account Executive for the ad agency, Erwin-Penland, where he managed the Verizon Wireless Southeastern Sponsorship Account, as well as Earth Fare, The BMW Factory and Zentrum Center, and The Greenville Drive. Prior to Erwin Penland, Brock cut his teeth at Henderson Advertising, working with Michelin North America, South Trust Bank (now Wells Fargo), and Costa Del Mar Sunglasses.

He has been selected as one of Greenville’s Best and Brightest under 35 by Greenville Business Magazine and “Who’s Next” by LINK in 2007, and was a finalist for the Chamber’s Young Professional of the Year in 2011. He is a founding member and past Chairman of PULSE, the Chamber's young professional group, and the Kiwanis Main Street group.

While not working in the office, he is also involved in Greenville’s growing theatre scene, supporting and performing performing in a variety of productions throughout the state.

A graduate of Leadership Greenville, Class 33, and The Diversity Leaders Initiative, Class 12, Brock has served on the boards of the YWCA, Leadership Development Committee at the Chamber of Commerce, The United Way School Readiness Advisory Board, Hands On Greenville Advisory Board, the Warehouse Theatre Board of Directors, and is the current Chair of Youth Leadership Greenville.

Brock is a native to Greenville and earned his BS in Communications from The University of Tennessee – Knoxville. He lives at home with his wonderful wife, Staci and their two dogs, Connolly and Penny.

Kate Hofler is the Communications Director for Greenville Forward. In this position, she is responsible for planning major Greenville Forward events and drafting any and all written materials for marketing and information-sharing purposes, including the quarterly newsletter and Greenville Forward blog. She also works to facilitate many aspects of Greenville Forward's new membership campaign, including member correspondence and planning member-only events. Kate maintains the Greenville Forward Community Calendar and writes freelance articles and guest columns when requested. Kate also works to orchestrate brand recognition in the greater Greenville area through the use of social media and various other promotional materials.

Before joining the staff full time, Kate served as the Furman research intern at Greenville Forward throughout the summer and school year of her senior year. Kate was the student editor of FUnet, Furman’s online daily news source, where she garnered much of her writing and editing experience. She graduated cum laude in May of 2009 with a Bachelor's degree in both English and Political Science.

Kate is currently the Chair of Opportunity Greenville and serves on the board of the YWCA Junior Board and the YMCA Youth in Government Board. She also serves on the Grants Committee for the Community Foundation of Greenville and will be participating in the PULSE Pacesetters program in 2012.

Kate is originally from Florence, SC where she attended Trinity Collegiate School. Kate is an avid reader, an amateur foodie, and a news junkie, spending many spare moments scouring Twitter for updates. She is an avid sports enthusiast and enjoys hiking in the Caesars Head area and exercising at the Caine Halter YMCA.

Reece Lyerly
Gardening for Good Fellow

Reece Lyerly is the Gardening for Good Director and Fellow for Greenville Forward. In this position, he is responsible for implementing the strategic plan of Gardening for Good by establishing a network for community gardens in Greenville County. This includes visiting and serving local gardens, developing an educational curriculum and resource center for community gardens, connecting volunteers to gardens efforts and providing healthy food options to disadvantaged communities in the area

Originally from Roswell, GA, Reece now considers himself a fellow Greenvillian due to his recent residency in the city after four years at Furman University. Reece graduated from Furman in May with a BA in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Through his studies and extra-curricular activities, he discovered his integrated passions for sustainability, public health and social justice, leading him to his position with Gardening for Good today.

Reece currently serves on the board for the Generous Garden Project, a local non-profit growing food for the hungry. He also is a field leader for Society of St. Andrew Gleaning Network, where he leads teams to harvest overripe crops from farms in the Upstate to donate to local food banks. In his spare time, Reece enjoys reading, baking bread, hiking, biking on the Swamp Rabbit trail, listening to bluegrass music and most of all: community gardening!