Karen Floyd

Karen Floyd
Karen Floyd - Publisher photo for the Winter 2016-2017 issue of Elysian Magazine
Chair of the South Carolina Republican Party
In office May 2009 – May 7, 2011
Preceded by	Katon Dawson
Succeeded by	Chad Connelly
Personal details
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	University of South Carolina School of Law (1986)
Website	http://www.karenfloyd.com/

Karen Floyd is an American attorney and politician from the state of South Carolina. She is a former prosecutor and low level magistrate judge and later served as the only female Chairperson of County Council for the state's fourth largest county. Karen was elected Chairperson of the South Carolina Republican Party and served from 2009 to 2011. As the first woman Chairperson of the state party, under her tenure, the party experienced historic wins by adding a Republican congressional seat and winning all constitutional offices, the first time in the state's history. Additionally, Republicans Nikki Haley and Tim Scott were also both elected as governor and congressman, respectively, while Floyd served as state party chairwoman.[1]

Floyd is the founder of multiple businesses and the publisher of Elysian, a women's magazine with international circulation.

Political life

Karen Floyd was the first woman to serve as the chair of the Spartanburg County Council,[1] and currently serves on the South Carolina Ports Authority Board. In 2006 Floyd was the Republican nominee for Superintendent of Education. She was defeated by Jim Rex by only 455 votes,[2] the closest margin of victory in a statewide election in South Carolina's history^[citation needed]. She served as chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party from May 2009 to May 2011. She did not seek re-election as Chairman.

Personal life

Karen lives in Spartanburg, South Carolina with her husband Gordon and two children.

Employment

• 1999 to Present [3]^[failed verification]

Palladian Group, Chief Executive Officer

In 1999, Floyd founded The Palladian Group, which serves marketing, technology, and development needs of clients worldwide. Floyd oversees six divisions and over 30 employees.

• 2015 to Present [4][5]

ELYSIAN Magazine, Publisher

In 2015, Floyd founded Palladian Publications and began serving as the publisher of ELYSIAN Magazine.

Education

• 1986 University of South Carolina School of Law[6]

President, Student Bar Association; Daniel McLeod Scholarship Award

• 1983 Goucher College; Bachelor of Arts

Chairperson, Academic Honor Board; Elizabeth King Elliott Fellowship Award

Affiliations

• Spartanburg County, SC, and American Bar Association, 1986 to present
• American Judiciary Society, 1990 to present
• Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Board Member 1998 to 2002; Board of Governors 2005 to present
• South Carolina Ports Authority, Board Member 2007 to 2012
• Piedmont Area Girl Scouts, Board Member/Nominating Committee to 2008
• Human Resources Management Association, 1994 to 2000
• Arts Partnership, Board Member 1998 to 2006
• Susan B. Komen Upstate Race for the Cure, Founding Board Member 1998, Secretary 1999 to 2001
• Spartanburg Development Council, Board of Directors, 1998 to 2002
• Share the Vision, Board Member 1998 to 2002 Co-Chairman 1999 to 2002
• YMCA, Executive Board 1999 to 2002
• Palmetto Conservation Foundation, Board of Directors 2000 to 2002
• United Way Campaign, Board Member 2001 to 2003
• Department of Natural Resources, Board Member 2004 to 2006
• Board Representative prior to 1998
• Spartanburg County Higher Education Commission, Member
• National Council Chain Restaurants, Board of Trustees
• Governor's Leadership Forum
• Spartanburg County Little Theater, Board of Trustees
• Spartanburg County Children's Shelter
• SAFE Homes Network
• Department of Mental Health, Board Advisor
• Children's Coalition Against Sexual Abuse, Board Member
• DSS Treatment Team, Board Member
• International Franchise Association, Board Member[7]^[failed verification]

Notable achievements

[8] Mrs. Floyd has achieved many awards^[quantify] throughout her career, including:

• Order of the Palmetto (South Carolina's highest award)[9]
• Business and Professional Women Club, Woman of the Year^[citation needed]
• Spartanburg Technical College, Woman of the Year/Politics^[citation needed]
• Career Woman of the Year^[citation needed]
• Outstanding Young Woman of the Year^[citation needed]
• Toast of the Town, Salvation Army^[citation needed]

See also

• Politics of South Carolina

References

1. "Karen Floyd official website". 2008.
2. "Election Returns from Primaries and General Elections (Statewide)". 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-10-31.
3. "The Palladian Group". 2015.
4. "Palladian Group". 2002. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
5. "Elysian Magazine". Elysian Magazine. Archived from the original on 2016-02-21. Retrieved 2016-02-11.
6. "Education". karenfloyd.com. 2008. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
7. Affiliations http://www.karenfloyd.com/index.php?loc=bio 2008
8. "Achievements, Karenfloyd.com". 2008.
9. South Carolina State Archives "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-01-10. Retrieved 2009-12-31.

External links

• Official website
• Appearances on C-SPAN

Party political offices
Preceded by Katon Dawson	Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party May, 2009 - May 7, 2011	Succeeded by Chad Connelly
Preceded by Dan Hiltgen	Republican nominee for South Carolina Superintendent of Education 2006	Succeeded by Mick Zais