Oct. 10—Deedee Vaughters has worn a lot of hats in Aiken over the years.
She's managed her husband's independent medical practice, run for office, served on the boards of various community organizations and now is the executive director of the Aiken Symphony Orchestra.
Vaughters said a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson has become her mantra in life: "The purpose of life is to be useful, honorable, compassionate, and to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."
Born in Loris, a small farming town in Horry County about 20 miles north of North Myrtle Beach, Vaughters had humble beginnings. She was the first in her family to go to college, attending the University of South Carolina. Vaughters got her bachelor's degree in business administration and jumped right into corporate America.
Her first job was with Bungee Foods as a sales representative and manager, before later working with Bristol-Meyers Squibb Pharmaceutical Company, advancing to corporate sales trainer and district manager.
She also married Dr. Bauer Vaughters, and the two had their first child.
"Our oldest child was born a little early, not so early to be scary, but early enough to have some (kinds) of chronic issues," Vaughters said. "And so working as I was doing, traveling (up and down) the East Coast training new sales reps for Bristol-Myers Squibb, I just, I couldn't do it."
Her husband was in residency at the time, and he couldn't take time off to help with a sick child. Thus, a tough decision had to be made.
"So, I stepped away from (corporate America)," Vaughters said. "It was a very hard thing to do financially, and because I had built a pretty good career for myself. But I stepped away and did the right thing for the family."
The family, who was living in North Carolina, ended up migrating south to Aiken, where Vaughters' husband is from and where his father practiced medicine.
"We knew very early on that he wanted to come back here to practice," Vaughters said. "He thought that this was a great place to raise a family, and he's been right, and that being that it was a small medical community and Vaughters (a common name), he thought it would be easy to build an independent practice. So we made the decision to come back here."
Planning to start a new practice, Vaughters said her husband asked her to help him due to her background in business. Thus, Vaughters became a partner at Aiken Endocrinology, which is still located on Richland Avenue. Many doubted that the practice would pan out, Vaughters said, but it's thriving to this day.
"We did do right here in Aiken what they said couldn't be done," Vaughters said.
After 10 years, Vaughters began to contemplate what the next chapter of her life could be like, coinciding with her 40th birthday.
"So I've had my children, three by then," Vaughters said. "We've launched this practice, we've established ourselves back in my husband's hometown. What is it that I want to do?"
Already active in numerous community activities and boards, Vaughters would soon be confronted with a spark that launched her into the world of politics. She received a tax bill for the business in the mail and noticed a charge that seemed strange to her.
"It was for property tax on fixtures, furnishings and equipment and I said, this has got to be a mistake," Vaughters said. "I've paid sales tax on this. I mean, they're going to charge me property tax on this desk and computer and they do and it's legal. In fact, it's a standard set forth by the federal government; they allow that to be. And I was floored."
Thinking something had to be wrong, Vaughters called her accountant who told her that yes, the charge was correct and it was referred to as the "merchant tax." Vaughters was angered because she "felt like there was not a whole lot of voice for the business owner."
This led her to look into those who serve in public office around the state.
"Most of the folks I found serving were attorneys, and that's fine," Vaughters said. "But, a lot of them are partners. So, their job as a partner is to go be a legislator, they still get a salary. I found those and retirees and wealthy, those were the people who were serving because they're the only folks who could. My husband doesn't get paid if he doesn't show up to work."
"I thought, we need people, real people, out here who are making the world go round, who understand what it what it takes to make $1," Vaughters continued. "The more I was running that business, the more I paid attention, the more I realized, I've got to do something, I can't just sit here quietly."
Vaughters was approached to write a guest column in the Aiken Standard, which she did and received positive feedback. Based on interactions she had with readers and friends, she was inspired to run for office.
In 2012, Vaughters ran for the S.C. Senate District 26 nomination. She won the Republican primary, and faced Democrat Nikki Setzler, of Lexington, in the election. Setzler had been in office for over 35 years at that time, so Vaughters knew she was in for a challenge. Though she ended up losing, there were still some positives.
"I learned a lot and met a lot of people," Vaughters said. "I will never regret that time."
Since that run, she's authored two pieces of legislation which are now law, and has assisted in changing the City of Aiken's Business License Ordinance to the advantage of the business owner.
Her current role is as the executive director of the Aiken Symphony Orchestra, which starts its 2021-2022 season on Oct. 30.
During her interview for the position, Vaughters told the hiring contingent that she didn't have a strong background in classical symphonic music, only an "appreciation." She was told "you only need an appreciation. The conductor has to have the background."
"Probably 75% of my job is fundraising and public relations and so I spend a lot of time doing that," Vaughters said, describing herself as being the "community person."
Vaughters said this upcoming season is going to be "fabulous," and she's thrilled the audience restrictions from last year's COVID-19-impacted season are mostly gone.
"We offered three concerts (last year) that were socially distanced that had an average of about 100 people or so," Vaughters said. "For this concert in October, we're back at the Etherredge Center. They're requiring masks, but no social distancing, and we're already up to 400 tickets sold, and we're still a month out. So, we're super excited."
The orchestra has already seen how ready people are to get outside again, as evidenced by a "Beer, Bourbon and Bach" event held this past month at The Willcox. Attendees could enjoy bourbon flights and craft beer, while listening to the sweet sounds of the brass quartet.
Vaughters said the event was a huge success and ended up being standing room only. She said plans are in the works to hold it again next year.
Another special element of this upcoming season, Vaughters said, is that the orchestra's conductor, Donald Portnoy, will be serving in his last season with them.
"In preparation for offering that position to a new conductor and music director, we have four guest conductors," Vaughters said. "So eight of our concerts will have four guest conductors and (basically) that's their interview."
Vaughters said the guest conductors will come out after each show and have a live Q&A with the audience. This will show how well the conductor interacts with the community because "the community has to embrace this person as well," according to Vaughters.
No matter the position she's held, Vaughters has become engrained within Aiken and said she enjoys what she does every single day.
"I'm blessed and fortunate to be able to earn a living now doing what I want to do, and I love being part of the Aiken community," Vaughters said with a smile.
