CHARLESTON, SC — JUNE 13, 2023 — South Carolina Ports congratulates 30 delegates for completing the 2022-2023 Port Ambassador Program, which provides participants a deep understanding of the connection between South Carolina Ports and South Carolina's thriving business community.
The yearlong Port Ambassador Program immerses participants in port operations through educational sessions and tours of oceanside terminals, inland ports and advanced manufacturers around the state. Throughout the year, ambassadors heard from Governor Henry McMaster, legislators, SC Ports’ teammates, business leaders and port customers.
“When Port Ambassadors spend time on our port terminals, they see firsthand how SC Ports moves cargo for manufacturers, retailers, healthcare companies, farmers and small businesses,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “Port Ambassadors understand that having a world-class port in South Carolina drives economic growth and creates opportunities throughout our state.”
The Port Ambassador Program is designed to increase public awareness and educate community leaders on SC Ports’ operations, statewide impacts, infrastructure projects and economic impact. Since the program’s inception in 2016, more than 160 ambassadors have graduated.
“Our Port Ambassador Program provides a unique opportunity to see how a world-class port operates and how SC Ports makes a $63.4 billion economic impact in South Carolina each year,” said Jordi Yarborough, SC Ports’ Vice President of Statewide Stakeholders and Local Government Engagement. “We were thrilled to have such an impressive and diverse group of professionals for our sixth class of port ambassadors.”
2022-2023 Port Ambassadors
- Pat Black, Chairman, Calhoun County Economic Development Commission, Cameron, SC
- John Clark, Partner, The Clark Law Firm, Sumter, SC
- Leslie Clark, Vice President of Operations, Carolinas AGC, Lexington, SC
- Delores Dacosta, Executive Director, SC Commission for Minority Affairs, Columbia, SC
- Rick Danner, Mayor of Greer, Greer, SC
- Cashion Drolet, Chief Advocacy Officer, Historic Charleston Foundation, Charleston, SC
- Kimberlyn Davis, KD Marketing Group, John's Island, SC
- Barron Ervin, President, Ervin Engineering, Florence, SC
- Dewey Evans, Senior Associate, Site Selection Group, Greenville, SC
- Brooks Hearn, Senior Public Relations Manager, Chernoff Newman, Summerville, SC
- Bruce Greenberg, Commercial Real Estate Broker, Trinity Partners, Columbia, SC
- Emily Heflin, Director of Business Development, MAU, Greenville, SC
- Jerome Heyward, North Charleston Council Member and Mayor Pro Temp, City of North Charleston, North Charleston, SC
- Kaala Maple, Commissioner, SC Commission for Minority Affairs, Columbia, SC
- Jack Jamison, Principle and Broker-in-Charge, RealtyLink, Greenville, SC
- James T. “Jim” McCain, Jr., Sumter County Council Chairman, Sumter, SC
- Richie Murray, Partner and Realtor, Charter One Realty and Marketing, Hilton Head, SC
- Rob Perry, Chief Engineer for Bridges, SCDOT, Columbia, SC
- Joannie Nickel, Legislative & Public Policy Advocate, Municipal Association of SC, Columbia, SC
- Matt Pickard, Vice President – Investments, InLight, Charleston, SC
- Ashley M. Powell, Executive Director, Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC), Summerville, SC
- Daniel Prohaska, President and CEO, Lions Vision Services, Columbia, SC
- Mark Sweatman, Chief of Government Relations & Senior Advisor to the Board, MUSC, Columbia, SC
- Brian Symmes, VP Government Relations – State, McGuireWoods Consulting, Columbia, SC
- John Truluck, Director of Economic Development, Dorchester County Economic Development, Summerville, SC
- John Wall, Counsel, Burr & Forman LLP, Columbia, SC
- Marshall West, Senior Real Estate Appraiser, Compass South Appraisals, Berkeley County Council, Pinopolis, SC
- Charlton “Chuck” Whipple, VP, Director of Business Development, ECS Southeast, LLP, Lexington, SC
- Michael Wood, Principle, Asset Integration Consultants, Summerville, SC
- Jonathan Yarborough, Director, Government Affairs & Economic Development, Dominion Energy, South Carolina, Columbia, SC
About South Carolina Ports Authority
South Carolina Ports owns and operates marine terminals at the Port of Charleston and two rail-served inland ports in Greer and Dillon. As the 8th largest U.S. container port, SC Ports connects port-dependent businesses throughout the Southeast and beyond to global markets. SC Ports proactively invests in infrastructure ahead of demand to provide reliable service, efficient operations, cargo capacity, an expansive rail network and the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is a vital economic engine for South Carolina, with port operations supporting 1 in 10 jobs statewide. Learn more: scspa.com.