A senate RESOLUTION

 

to recognize and honor Paul Mitchell, Chairman of Optus Bank, and to express deep appreciation to him for the positive impact his leadership has provided to Optus Bank and to economic development in the Palmetto State.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate recognizes and honors Paul Mitchell, a banking and paper industry executive, for his invaluable contributions to the South Carolina business community and his highly successful efforts to expand access to the American Dream in this State; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Mitchell, a South Carolina native, helms Optus Bank, an esteemed institution whose origins date back to 1921 when a group of visionary and courageous African American leaders founded Victory Savings Bank on the principle that all people should have access to the American Dream; and

 

Whereas, under his astute leadership, the bank, now known as Optus Bank, faithfully honors the vision of the bank's founders by striving to balance the needs of their customers, communities, employees, and shareholders, unlike traditional financial institutions that only focus on maximizing shareholder profits; and

 

Whereas, a seasoned entrepreneur whose diverse professional background ranges from information technology to mill management, Mr. Mitchell has used his substantial business acumen to help Optus Bank achieve its goal of helping other businesses gain access to capital, while achieving record profitability and growth for Optus Bank in the process; and

 

Whereas, in addition to his leadership of Optus Bank, Mr. Mitchell serves as the chief executive officer and managing partner of Columbia-based South Coast Paper, which he cofounded in 2000. Using his thirty plus years in the paper industry, Mr. Mitchell has helped build South Coast Paper into an eighty million-dollar company with locations in Alabama, New Jersey, Arkansas, and Mexico; and 

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to commend Paul Mitchell during Black History Month for using his entrepreneurial talents to assist other African Americans in South Carolina achieve economic success and build sustainable employment in this nation and abroad. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Paul Mitchell, Chairman of Optus Bank, and express deep appreciation to him for the positive impact his leadership has provided to Optus Bank and to economic development in the Palmetto State.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Paul Mitchell.

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