Board of Directors

Marty Wells is currently serving as the chairman of the First Fruits Community Park and Garden Board of Directors. He is an elder at Blythewood Presbyterian Church where he also teaches 4th and 5th grade Sunday School students. Marty is married to Gert Wells with whom he has three adult kids, Rosalie, Jeremiah, and Noah, three grandchildren with another one expected in May 2026. He is also retired U.S. Army Soldier who feels blessed to have served our Nation for 26 years and seven months.

Daniel is an educator and musician with more than 25 years of experience in schools across South Carolina and Tennessee. He currently serves as Assistant Principal at North Central High School in Kershaw County and as Deacon Board Chair at Blythewood Presbyterian Church. He is passionate about education, music, and community, and is excited to help cultivate spaces that reflect God’s creativity and bring people together through projects like the church’s Park and Garden vision.

Teresa is a retired substitute teacher and mother of three adult children. She is a founding member of Blythewood Presbyterian church along with her husband of forty years. She is a graduate of Clemson University and has enjoyed gardening for about 50 years. She has a large vegetable garden of her own and has served as the manager of First Fruits Community Garden for the past two years. It is her delight to provide space for others to learn to grow their own vegetables and to come alongside more experienced gardeners.

Toni has lived in Northeast Columbia since 2003 and is married to Mat Fairfax.  They have four grown children and two grandchildren.  With over thirty years of experience in commercial real estate development, construction, and management, she is honored to be a part of the development team for First Fruits Community Park and Garden.

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Emma brings 15+ years of business leadership and 8+ years of fundraising and charity experience. She has served in a number of capacities within our community most notably on the Boards of the Parent Teacher Organizations of both Round Top Elementary and Blythewood Middle School. She resides in the Blythewood community with her family and dog and loves nothing more than to be outside. She believes that all children and families should be able to enjoy quality time together outside and looks forward to a future when Blythewood has a community playground and garden accessible to all. She has fond memories of family of all ages and abilities (including 90 year old great grandmother Ma Ms Britt) playing on a similar playground in Harrisonburg, Va and hopes to bring that to the families of Blythewood.

First and foremost, Connie Cunningham is a child of God. She was born in Blythewood, South Carolina where she has remained all her life. Connie married the late Governor Cunningham, Jr. The mother of two children and grandmother of two grandchildren, Connie is a devoted member of Round Top Baptist Church. A joy of her life is serving as the Chairperson of the Food Pantry Ministry and Clothing Ministry. She gives tireless efforts in the community and church. She is always ready to extend her helping hand to others in need. Connie serves on the Board of First Fruit Community Park and Garden. Connie also volunteers with the Wanna Buddy Ministry of Blythewood Presbyterian Church.

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Heather is a founding member of Blythewood Presbyterian Church and instructor at the University of South Carolina. She is excited to serve as the Project Manager for First Fruits. From the early days of our church plant, the collaboration between BPC and the community has always been something that she has been passionate about and involved in. She can’t wait to see the continuation of this vision through an accessible playground, community garden and recreational space!