From staff reports
The Zonta Club of Beaufort has presented Shannon Erickson with its Leadership Award, recognizing Erickson for her outstanding leadership in paving the way for other women business owners.
Rep. Erickson (R-124) grew up in Florence and graduated from USC Beaufort with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. She is President of Lowcountry Building Blocks, Inc., which operates preschool and childhood development centers. She is a pro-business and pro-environment leader, an advocate for children and families, a “whole child” education supporter, higher education, and workforce policy leader. Erickson is a member and supporter of several local groups and organizations such as AMI Kids, Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lady’s Island Business & Professional Association and Reconstruction Beaufort: The Second Founding of America Advisory Board, just to name a few.
Erickson was first elected to the Statehouse in October 2007. An educator and business owner, she builds consensus and coalitions through grassroots citizen involvement and smaller, more accountable government. She leans across the aisle and works collaboratively across the aisle to achieve solid results. She serves as Chairperson of the House Education & Public Works Committee which deals with K-12 education, higher education, Governor’s and Special Schools, and early education, as well as public safety, motor vehicles, roads & bridges, and regulatory policy. She is Co-Chairman of the General Assembly’s Childcare Study Committee.
Erickson is the ranking Republican Woman at the Statehouse and has previously served on the House Ways and Means Committee, as Transportation and Regulatory Budget Subcommittee Chair, the House Labor, Commerce & Industry Committee as the Regulation Subcommittee Chair and on the Medical, Military & Municipal Committee. She served as Chairperson of the General Assembly Women’s Caucus, Republican Women’s Leadership Caucus and as a Majority Party Whip.
The Ericksons are active members of St Peter’s Catholic Church. Shannon and her husband, CPA Kendall Erickson, are proud parents of a son, Josh (Katie) of Mt. Pleasant and daughter Mariah (Randall Owen) of Charleston, but even prouder of their five grandchildren, Wilson, Smith, Walker Owen, Matilda and Frances Erickson.
