The Greenville Chamber of Commerce recently awarded the Butch Kirven Excellence in Public Service Award to Greenville Mayor Knox White. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding public service and leadership in Greenville.

Leadership and Service

White is the longest-serving mayor in Greenville’s history, first elected to Greenville City Council in 1983 and becoming mayor in 1995. He received the award for his longstanding commitment to Greenville and his leadership during the city’s growth and transformation over the past several decades.

The Greenville Chamber established the Excellence in Public Service Award in 2025, naming the honor after former Greenville County Councilman Butch Kirven. White represents the second person to receive the award.

Business and community leaders from across Greenville County attended the Greenville Chamber’s breakfast on Aug. 13, where the award was presented. The State of Greenville, presented by Bank of America, was held at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville.

Thomas Barkin, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, provided an economic outlook during the program. White and Greenville County Council Chairman Benton Blount participated in a panel discussion on the city and county’s recent penny sales tax initiatives, both supported by the Greenville Chamber.

Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.