(Charleston, SC) – May 7, 2012 – Fred Julius, Chief Operating Officer for The Wilderman Group, announced the appointment of Debi Harrill as Sales Manager at LeGrand Center, the new multi-use, 44,000 square-foot conference center in Shelby, NC.

According to Julius, “Debi brings exuberance and enthusiasm to this exciting new conference center project and we are confident that she will bring her positive energy and experience to LeGrand Center and the Shelby/Cleveland community.”

As Sales Manager, Debi will be responsible for prospecting and solicitation of new business by working closely with Cleveland County and focusing on western North Carolina, and regional and statewide opportunities for meetings, conferences, trade shows, and exhibits.  She will also pursue the new and expanding data centers in neighboring Kings Mountain.  Debi will also work with the local community for weddings, fundraisers, and special events.

Debi is a graduate of Shelby High School and Cleveland Community College and has vast experience in sales and relationship building both in the private and public sector, having served as Education Benefits Coordinator for the Smart Start Program where she was responsible for the development and management of resources to support the Child Care Community.    Debi has also been a presenter at several state and national conferences.

An active member of the Shelby and Cleveland County communities, Debi is past Chairperson of Child Care Connections Board and currently serves as Secretary.  She served four two-year terms as a member of the North Carolina Child Care Commission and also served as a continuing education trainer for the Foster Grandparents program.  Debi received the Community Service award of the Cleveland County Community Relations Council for her work with underprivileged children and was honored as Area Civitan of the Year. Married to Freddie Harrill, Western Regional Liaison for US Senator Kay Hagan, Debi is the mother of two children, three step-children and five grandchildren.

More About LeGrand Center
A collaboration among the Cleveland County, North Carolina Board of Education, County Board of Commissioners and the Cleveland Community College Foundation Board, LeGrand Center is the new, $19-million, 44,000 square–foot conference center set within the new 89,000 square foot building on the campus of Cleveland Community College in Shelby, NC.  The Center was designed by Holland and Hamrick Architects of Shelby, NC who have provided design services in Cleveland and Rutherford Counties for almost 80 years.

Designed to meet the strict criteria established by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) for LEED Silver certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), LeGrand Center will be one of the largest LEED-certified projects in Cleveland County and will utilize modern, energy-efficient materials, utilize natural lighting and feature cutting-edge conference technology for both the education and conference spaces. The new conference center will also feature advanced conference technology and audio/visual capabilities to enhance the meeting experience and add efficiencies and convenience to other events such as banquets and social gatherings.

The LeGrand Center is part of Cisco’s Smart+Connected Communities which helps transform physical communities into connected communities that can help realize sustainable economic growth, enable environmental sustainability, and enhance the quality of life. Environmental/sustainable features will be implemented throughout the Center. The sustainable design will follow the rigorous standards for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, indoor environmental quality and innovative design.

Nestled in the rolling piedmont of the southwest region of North Carolina, Cleveland County is a gateway between Asheville and Charlotte, and is at the center of two of the largest metropolitan areas of the Carolinas – Charlotte and Greenville/Spartanburg.  Shelby epitomizes small town charm and is only 30 minutes from Charlotte.  The County boasts a comprehensive economic development strategy, known as Focus Cleveland, which has explored six areas of development including economic development, entrepreneurial efforts, government, infrastructure, marketing, and work force.

About The Wilderman Group
The Wilderman Group is a woman-owned hospitality management company that specializes in operating meeting and event venues, and civic and community developments throughout the Southeast. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, The Wilderman Group is a full-service management firm with a team of industry experts in all areas of hospitality including, operations, sales and marketing management, food and beverage, environmental programs and an emphasis on supporting local economies and strengthening communities. Their “sleeves-rolled-up” style of management focuses on success – from the owner’s perspective. For details on the capabilities and services offered by The Wilderman Group, visit the website at www.TheWildermanGroup.com or call 843.670.5056.

The Wilderman Group is committed to environmental stewardship and is a proud and active member of the US Green Building Council’s South Carolina Chapter, Georgia Chapter, Charlotte Regional Chapter, and the International Association of Conference Centers.