There is a new face that will accompany the new Hub at White Oak Conference.
Marion Spearman, who joined the convention staff as the new associate director of the 30-year-old conference center near Winnsboro, brings several years’ experience from the food service industry to his new job, which he began March 23. It is one of his chief assets as associate director, a position which also includes day-to-day operations of the center such as guest services, housekeeping, and office work.
“Marion’s background and education in business management were the primary reasons we thought he would work well at White Oak Conference Center,” says Tim Hughes, who has been director of the center for four years. “But also his character, Christian witness, and Christian maturity really stood out, and his seeing this job as a ministry.”
Spearman is a native of Blythewood, S.C., and is still a member of his home church, Sandy Level Baptist. He graduated in May 2007 from the University of South Carolina. His bachelor’s degree in business administration included a focus on hotel, restaurant, and tourism administration. He worked for several years for Chick-fil-A, from entry level to management.
“One of the key business ideas of Chick-fil-A is exceeding customer expectations,” he explains, “which is exactly the White Oak staff motto. My background is in just that – thinking of customer needs before they ask. I want to see guest needs and meet them before they even bring them to me.”
Nor is Spearman a stranger to White Oak Conference Center specifically, having attended Summersalt youth events both as a youth and later as a chaperone, and having taught at several Joy Retreats, an event held for mentally and physically disabled adults.
The Hub – Spearman’s chief focus in his early months – is part of a $1.5 million construction and renovation project currently underway at White Oak. When complete, it will be a large, open center replacing the current arrangement of canteen, gift shop, and lobby areas. The Hub will include a full-service café, capable of serving groups as small as eight people or catering for larger groups, an 18-seat theater, creative learning spaces, an outdoor fire pit, and other activity areas.
“The Hub is based largely on guest feedback,” explains Spearman. “One main concern was there was no central place for gathering; guests wanted more space and common areas. The café will have counter service with four to five standard menu items, hot and cold, plus seasonal offerings. We’ll also cater for groups of less than 25, since we don’t open the large dining hall unless there’s more than 25 people on campus.”
“Being here has been very exciting,” he says. “I feel like the Lord has had his hand in all this, and it is definitely an honor to be here and serve the guests.”
