Tracey Rankin graduated from Batesburg-Leesville High School. She attended Middle Tennessee State University and graduated with a Recording Industry Management (RIM) degree. For 12 years after college, she traveled worldwide, managing music tours. Wanting to settle locally, she returned to South Carolina looking for a change of pace. She heard about Happy Wheels via Facebook. After volunteering and witnessing the program first-hand in Charleston, Tracey knew she had a passion for the children. A few months later (November, 2009), she started the Columbia program. Three years later (February, 2012), she began the Greenville program. In 2012, Happy Wheels became a 501(c)(3) non-profit which enabled Tracey to work solely for Happy Wheels as the Executive Director of the non-profit and the Program Director for the Columbia program.
In 2024, Tracey was recognized as one of the Southerners Of The Year by Southern Living magazine for her work leading Happy Wheels. This award highlights extraordinary folks from across the South who are determined to make a difference.
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