Chad Connelly was born and raised in Prosperity, SC. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Clemson University where he also was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. After completing the Armor Officer’s Basic course in Fort Knox, KY, he began a career in engineering with Professional Service Industries. Chad worked for 7 ½ years as a consulting engineer with PSI, eventually working his way to Senior Division Manager responsible for $4 million in revenue in seven offices and over 100 employees in the South Carolina operations. In 1991, he began his own business, teaching and speaking to groups about starting businesses of their own. From this career, Chad authored a book, Freedom Tide, which is dedicated to educating Americans about our Christian heritage and the free enterprise system which have worked together to create the most successful republic in the history of man. Chad has now spoken to thousands of people about the virtues of America in four international countries and all across the United States.
As the Founder and President of The Foundation for American Restoration, Chad is committed to making a difference and equipping Americans with the truth to fight today’s battles against families and common sense. Chad’s vision of restoring America’s greatness begins with defending and strengthening the traditional family model that provides the foundation of America’s freedom and free market systems. His unique business and speaking experience have positioned him to speak out against attacks on the family and allowed him to take a bold stand for truth. He is in demand as a speaker for church and civic organizations as well as corporate groups as a family, parenting, and fatherhood speaker training people in family character development and marriage enrichment principles.
Chad’s first book has sold over 45,000 copies and he is currently planning companion books to his first Freedom Tide book, as well as a book on family and parenting in the 21st century.
Chad is active politically as State Director and Board Member of South Carolinians for Responsible Government, a school choice and limited government grassroots organization. He is also a Vice Chairman of the Newberry County Republican Party and served as a National Alternate Delegate to the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City.
Chad is active in his church, First Baptist of Newberry as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, Church Training Coordinator and Chairman of the Church Council. He also serves on the Nominations Committee for the South Carolina Baptist Convention. In addition, he is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Newberry Academy where his children attend school. He also finds time to coach his youngest son’s baseball team and is the Den Leader for his oldest son’s Webelos Scout pack.
Most of you know Chad’s story of tragedy and triumph and of witnessing first hand God’s goodness in the middle of adversity. This past year, God brought a great Christian girl into his life and he has recently remarried. Dana was also widowed through tragedy and now she and Chad make their home in Prosperity with their four children, CJ, who is 11, Leigha, who is 9, Bennett, who is 7 and Summer who is 6. (Click here to read Chad & Dana's story)