UPDATED 1:30PM Wednesday) Ward Shepherd, founder of the newly-formed Grand Strand Chamber of Commerce clarified statements he made earlier Wednesday morning when he declared Mark McBride would be fired as president of the GSCC. Ward is now saying he and the board may try to work things out with McBride at a board meeting scheduled for Thursday.
(11:39am) Conflicting reports have swirled since Tuesday afternoon over the fate of Mark McBride and whether he'll remain at the helm of the newly-formed Grand Strand Chamber of Commerce.
Ward Shepherd, founder of the GSCC, said Wednesday morning that McBride will be fired, though he is still president for now.
Shepherd said the GSCC's board of directors met on Monday, and he thought the firing was a done deal at that point.
"After I voted, I walked out of the room," Shepherd said.
Shepherd learned later the vote wasn't final, but he said a board meeting Thursday will take care of the confusion.
"He'll be gone on Thursday" by 2:30 p.m., Shepherd told NewsChannel 15.
Shepherd offered only limited details on why he is unhappy with McBride but eluded that McBride was tough to get along with and argued daily about trivial matters.
NewsChannel 15 wasn't successful in reaching Shepherd until Wednesday morning, but on Tuesday, two people who identified themselves as board members seemed unaware of the firing or potential for it.
Tommy Edwards, owner of the Holiday Sands North, simply said he had no comment, while Sea Palms Motel owner Karen Mitchell said she knew nothing about it.
On Wednesday, Shepherd said neither Edwards or Mitchell are official board members. He said there are only four board members including himself and McBride.
On Tuesday, McBride said the riff stemmed from growing pains between him and the board and that he expected a vote of confidence on Thursday to remain president.
The board of directors will meet Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at the organization's headquarters on Kings Highway.
