Our Team
Ashley S. Hunter
Chief Executive Officer
E: ahunter@mpastrategies.com
Prior to starting MPA in 2011, she spent five years working for the largest association management and lobbying firm in the state. Ashley was selected for The State Newspapers “Top 20 Under 40ʺ in 2012 and named one of the 2018 Women of Influence by the Columbia Regional Business Report. She is the former Chairman of the Board for the Healing Families Foundation, a member of the Cayce Public Safety Foundation and a volunteer Guardian ad Litem for Richland County. As the former lobbyist for the Municipal Association of SC, and a certified Crisis Communications Manager, Ashley has a passion for seeing cities and organizations thrive.
Chief Executive Officer
E: ahunter@mpastrategies.com
Prior to starting MPA in 2011, she spent five years working for the largest association management and lobbying firm in the state. Ashley was selected for The State Newspapers “Top 20 Under 40ʺ in 2012 and named one of the 2018 Women of Influence by the Columbia Regional Business Report. She is the former Chairman of the Board for the Healing Families Foundation, a member of the Cayce Public Safety Foundation and a volunteer Guardian ad Litem for Richland County. As the former lobbyist for the Municipal Association of SC, and a certified Crisis Communications Manager, Ashley has a passion for seeing cities and organizations thrive.
Adrienne Patrick
Director of Development & Operations
E: apatrick@mpastrategies.com
Adrienne Patrick serves as our Director of Development and is a Certified Grants Writer. She assists clients with researching and applying for grants and has successfully secured funds for projects including city infrastructure and police department needs. Adrienne has years of experience in event planning and fund raising for both non-profits and political candidates, including serving as Governor David Beasley's Finance Director for his United States Senate Campaign. She is a journalism graduate of the University of Georgia and lives in Greenville with her three children.
Director of Development & Operations
E: apatrick@mpastrategies.com
Adrienne Patrick serves as our Director of Development and is a Certified Grants Writer. She assists clients with researching and applying for grants and has successfully secured funds for projects including city infrastructure and police department needs. Adrienne has years of experience in event planning and fund raising for both non-profits and political candidates, including serving as Governor David Beasley's Finance Director for his United States Senate Campaign. She is a journalism graduate of the University of Georgia and lives in Greenville with her three children.
Shawn Skillman
Chief Marketing Officer
E: sskillman@mpastrategies.com
Originally from Hendersonville, North Carolina, Shawn Skillman serves as the creative and directional guide for clients to tell their story through his gifted writing, thoughtful planning and innovative marketing. He joins MPA after eight years in corporate communications with AgFirst Farm Credit Bank and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, where he served as a media relations strategist and a spokesperson. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in Electronic Journalism. He currently serves as Board President for Palmetto Place Children and Youth Services and is a longtime member with SCPRSA and IABC-SC. Shawn and his family live in Columbia, SC.
Chief Marketing Officer
E: sskillman@mpastrategies.com
Originally from Hendersonville, North Carolina, Shawn Skillman serves as the creative and directional guide for clients to tell their story through his gifted writing, thoughtful planning and innovative marketing. He joins MPA after eight years in corporate communications with AgFirst Farm Credit Bank and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, where he served as a media relations strategist and a spokesperson. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in Electronic Journalism. He currently serves as Board President for Palmetto Place Children and Youth Services and is a longtime member with SCPRSA and IABC-SC. Shawn and his family live in Columbia, SC.
Cayci Banks
Director of Communications
E: cbanks@mpastrategies.com
A South Carolina native, Cayci is the former Director of Communications for a statewide non‐profit. She holds a B.A. in Communications from Newberry College and is a graduate of the United Way of the Midlands Blueprint for Leadership program. She is also a Certified Grant Writer and puts together the monthly publication of the South Carolina Purchasing and Procurement Digest. With an eye on creativity and branding, she also provides Style & Branding Guides for MPA clients. Cayci lives in Newberry with her husband and four children and teaches public relations part time at Newberry College.
Director of Communications
E: cbanks@mpastrategies.com
A South Carolina native, Cayci is the former Director of Communications for a statewide non‐profit. She holds a B.A. in Communications from Newberry College and is a graduate of the United Way of the Midlands Blueprint for Leadership program. She is also a Certified Grant Writer and puts together the monthly publication of the South Carolina Purchasing and Procurement Digest. With an eye on creativity and branding, she also provides Style & Branding Guides for MPA clients. Cayci lives in Newberry with her husband and four children and teaches public relations part time at Newberry College.