Fred West is a successful product of the American Dream. A Palmetto State native. Fred self-funded his college education, working odd jobs to pay school. With hard work and determination, Fred went on to earn a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of South Carolina.

Fred was hired by Amick Farms, a privately-owned poultry processing company, in 1999. He spent over 24 years as a senior executive before retiring in August 2023. Amick Farms employs more than 3,500 people across facilities in South Carolina, Maryland, and Mississippi. As Vice President, Fred led operations across business units, including human resources, safety, environmental compliance, regulatory and legislative affairs, public relations, and engineering.

After leaving Amick Farms, Fred founded West Resources, a business consulting firm focused on human resources, public relations, and governmental relations. He now works with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture as the Director of Market Development and serves as an Agricultural Liaison to the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services.

Fred brings more than 30 years of experience in building and leading effective teams. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles on several boards, including serving as Chairman of both the Palmetto Agribusiness Council and the South Carolina Poultry Federation. Fred also currently co-chairs Family Promise of the Midlands, a nonprofit addressing family homelessness.

An active member and Ruling Elder at Rivercrest Presbyterian Church in Lexington, Fred serves on the administrative committee and plays guitar and bass on the worship team occasionally. Fred and his wife of 35 years, Michelle, live in Leesville, South Carolina. They are proud parents of two children: Foster, a chief medical resident in Oxford, Mississippi, and Grace Anne, who holds a master’s degree in psychology, works for a nonprofit organization, and lives in the Charleston area.