Haig Point Foundation has grown its board of directors to increase ability to properly serve Daufuskie Island. In addition to the board members already serving: Chairperson Tammy Kelley, Vice Chairperson Mary Keisler, Treasurer Rick Klemm, Secretary Cathy Bos, Doug Egly, Adam Martin and Kathy Simmons, four new directors have been added during the past few months.

Karen Kelson, Chris Massa, and Lauren Keisler Schultz joined the board June 1, 2023 and Jay Garrick later in September 2023. All four bring many talents to help us better serve the island.

KAREN KELSON

Karen has been a member of Haig Point since 1996 when she and her family first bought a golf cottage and started vacationing here. She had been working in New York City in the financial markets and vacationed every summer here since then. In 1998 Karen co owned with her husband Chris, a risk management company called RiskCheck based out of Toronto Canada. Karen is currently working part time as VP Business Development for Alcumus, a leading global Health & Safety Services and Software organisation.

Karen sat on The Board of Directors of The Bishop Strachan School for 10 years helping to fundraise for scholarships and capital improvements. Karen is President of The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation in Canada for the past 15 years, working with the Sherpa people of Nepal in Health, Education, and the Environment.

Karen’s most important focus has been her children, Kassandra, Philippa, and Justin. Her sons in law, Peter, Andrew and 3 grandchildren visit Haig Point regularly and all enjoy golf, tennis, riding and just relaxing. Both of Karen’s daughters were married at Haig Point and hold special memories of very wonderful days.

Haig Point has been a peaceful getaway and understanding the importance of preserving this unique environment and helping others to excel has been important to her family. Karen brings many years of experience in the nonprofit sector to the Foundation and will help us with our marketing efforts and fundraising.

CHRIS MASSA

Chris currently serves as Vice President of Sales – Retail, with Radians, a safety supply company focused on keeping end users safe and productive while on the jobsite. He leads a sales team where he is responsible for growing business in the hardware and sporting goods channels working with customers like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, Walmart, Bass Pro, Academy Sports, etc. He has over 25 years of experience leading teams and helping team members accomplish their goals.

Chris grew up on the Gulf Coast but graduated with a degree in Business Administration from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina where he first experienced life in the Lowcountry. Chris and Missy, who graduated high school together, moved to Daufuskie Island in December of 2020. They have three grown children who enjoy visiting: Clay is married to Moorea and they live in Bentonville, AR; Drake lives in Wilmington, NC; Bailey graduated from University of South Carolina in May ’23 and has moved to Winston-Salem, NC. Chris has been to MLB baseball games at 29 stadiums. He’s been a Haig Point member since 2020 and is most excited to identify ways to improve Daufuskie Island through The Haig Point Foundation. Besides general business, Chris has been helping with marketing efforts and fundraising as well as working on the Emergency Beach Sign program.

LAUREN KEISLER SCHULTZ

Lauren lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and their son. She began visiting Daufuskie Island in 1992 and still visits the island every chance she gets. She graduated from Wofford College in 2010 with a degree in Biology. After graduation, she began working in Fundraising and Development for Wofford College, University of Richmond and The Richmond SPCA. Lauren has worked with the Foundation in the past on the Golf Tournament and Auction fundraisers and with her expertise will now be chairing the Fundraising Committee of the Foundation going forward.

JAY GARRICK

Jay is originally from Dallas, Texas, has been a PGA Golf professional for over 35 years. Before coming to Haig Point four years ago, Jay spent all his years in Naples, Florida, working at such clubs as The Vineyards, Pelican Marsh, Raptor Bay, and Grandezza. During his career, he has twice been awarded Merchandiser of Year in the entire South Florida Section, Nominated Teacher of the Year in the Southwest Florida Chapter, and been awarded Membership of the President’s Council of the PGA of America, for his accolades in growing the game of golf. Jay is here at Haig Point with his wife Lisa, and dog Bailey. Jay and Lisa have two grandchildren and a new one coming in March. Jay has previously volunteered his time with the Foundation working on the Pro Am Golf Tournament and assisting with our Fall Auction; he will continue to help with the Foundation’s fundraising efforts.