Our wide range of clients demands that we:

• Find ways to work across disciplines
• Bring people together to support different functions
• Work with many types of employees in a variety of locations

Our ability to meet these varied demands is a direct result of our ability to assemble teams. Our team leaders draw on their years of experience, both within DESA and in the business world. At DESA, we value each of our employees. Their presence and dedication is what makes success happen daily for our clients. Listed below are our office managers who oversee operations, as well as our service line directors.

Diane E. Sumpter, MSW - Founder, President & CEO
Diane has devoted more than 40 years of her career to economic development. Her emphasis is on identifying and exploring new markets, managing operations, leading advocacy efforts for small, woman- and minority-owned businesses, and setting the pace for DESA's short- and long-term corporate growth.

Sophia Vickers, MBA - Manager, Accounting Services
With DESA since 1990, Sophia provides oversight for DESA's general accounting, as well as financial management and consulting support for projects. Vickers contributes to projected costs for procurement, and leads efforts to reduce costs internally and for each client we serve.

Camille Shaw, CMP, MPA - Director, Conference & Event Management
Camille, with DESA since 1991, supervises the development, implementation, staffing, quality and fiscal management of all conferences, meetings and events. She has executed successful conferences for groups ranging from 25 to more than 3,500 participants.

Michelle Moshinskie, BA - Manager, Marketing Department
Always bringing a fresh perspective and incorporating advanced technology, Michelle overlooks DESA's marketing department. In addition to our general branding and advertising initiatives, Michelle develops unique marketing strategies for many of our clients as well as the events we manage. She specializes in creative concepts, social media, writing, communication and design.

Meg Pridemore, BS - Manager, Construction & Project Management
Meg has over 23 years experience managing construction projects ranging in scope from construction of educational facilities to government buildings to residential construction. Well versed in scheduling, estimating, safety policy and procedures, Meg leads a variety of DESA's construction management projects, always safely, on-time and within budget.

Daniel Lavender, EIT, BS - Manager, Construction & Project Management
Dan manages facility and ground treatment projects as well as acts as lead staff member for DESA's mentor-protégé relationship with BP Barber. He specializes in complex utility coordination and development of projects including water, sewer, gas, electric, cable, phone and storm water installation and/or maintenance. 

Cheryl Salley, BS - Project Director (MBDA Business Center - Columbia, SC)
Cheryl has spent more than 20 years developing small and minority businesses throughout the Southeast. She concentrates on providing clients with management and technical assistance, identity and facilitation of business development opportunities, counseling, administrative management and unique business strategies.

Human Resources Consultant: The DESA Group, Inc.

Dionne Fleshman, MBA, PHR - President
Dionne offers human resources support for DESA, and has been doing so for nearly 10 years. She is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR), with experience in all facets of the industry, including benefits, administration, payroll, recruitment, hiring and performance evaluations.

Certified Public Accountant: Burkett, Burkett & Burkett

Ronald (Ronny) Burkett, CPA, CVA - Managing Partner & Officer
Ronny specializes and supports DESA with annual tax return and financial statement preparation. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) he is always relied upon for valuable financial information.