Rick Laughridge, C12 Chair - Central SC
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Rick Laughridge, a Columbia native, returns home to launch the C12 Group in Central SC. Born and raised in Columbia, Rick received his undergraduate degree in Administrative Management from Clemson University in 1985. He joined First Citizens Bank and Trust in Columbia as a Branch Manager where he notes, "God blessed me with the opportunity of working with people, and experiencing first hand the role of money in their lives and businesses. It provided a solid foundation as I began building my professional career."

In 1989, as his entrepreneurial spirit began to grow, Rick joined a start-up company providing furniture and interior solutions to corporate, government, and healthcare customers. In 1993, he joined the sixth largest commercial furniture manufacturer in the US as their representative for the state of SC. He completed their intensive Management training program and relocated to Orlando, FL in 1999, accepting the new position of District Manager for central and northern FL. Rick comments "it was exciting to build an organization from the ground up. God blessed me with an amazing sales team that allowed me to grow as a manager and coach." Desiring to own his own business and expand his product portfolio, in 2003 Rick launched the Kera Group, an independent firm that represented multiple manufacturers of contract furniture serving educational, corporate, healthcare, and government markets in FL.

From sales representative, to management, to owner, Rick had enjoyed a successful fifteen year career in the contract furniture industry. But after achieving his goal of owning a rep firm, a once small voice began to increase in his life. Rick explains that, over the years, he and his wife, Karen had helped start a church, led small groups in their home, led others in financial counseling, and served in various ministry capacities with their church. So, in 2005, he left the corporate world and enrolled as a full time student at Reformed Theological Seminary in Oviedo, FL (Orlando). He graduated in May, 2009 with a Masters of Divinity in preparation for entering Pastoral ministry.

As graduation approached, Rick explains that God began to clarify His vision and calling for his life. He states that "God clearly showed me that he had given me a twenty year corporate career, business ownership experience, and theological training, all for a reason. He firmly put it on my heart to lift up the business owners, President's, CEO's - the leaders - and, through Biblical counsel, help them see how valuable and influential they are, and how vital they are to the Kingdom of God." He concludes, "that is what excited me about the C12 Group. I can devote my life to facilitating a select group of leaders in changing the world by bringing forth the kingdom of God in the marketplace through the companies and lives of those He calls to run businesses for Him (the C12 mission)."

Rick married his college sweetheart, Karen, in 1986. They have been happily married for twenty three years and have four beautiful daughters. They currently reside in Lexington, SC and attend Riverbend Community Church.

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