CHARLESTON, SC — OCT. 13, 2022 — South Carolina Ports welcomes its 2022-2023 Class of Port Ambassadors, kicking off a yearlong program that provides a deep understanding of how SC Ports benefits South Carolina’s economy.
The 2022-2023 Class of Port Ambassadors — an esteemed group of 31 professionals from around the state — will get an in-depth look into port operations. Ambassadors will tour marine terminals, inland ports and customers’ facilities. They will hear from SC Ports teammates, port customers and elected leaders.
Port Ambassadors see firsthand how SC Ports supports the supply chains of many businesses, including retailers, advanced manufacturers, healthcare companies and agricultural producers.
“Our Port Ambassador Program gives South Carolinians a behind-the-scenes look into how our port works and the vital role our maritime community plays in keeping freight moving for Southeast supply chains,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “We are proud to showcase how having a top 10 U.S. container port in South Carolina supports businesses and creates jobs.”
The 2022-2023 Class of Port Ambassadors kicked off with a recent visit to SC Ports’ headquarters in Mount Pleasant. Ambassadors learned about key infrastructure projects and day-to-day operations. They toured Wando Welch Terminal and ventured up 155-foot-tall ship-to-shore cranes to gain the perspective of a crane operator loading and unloading ships.
“It is so impactful for our Port Ambassadors to see how port operations support 1 in 10 jobs in South Carolina,” said Jordi Yarborough, SC Ports’ senior vice president of statewide stakeholders and local government engagement. “We are thrilled to have such an impressive and diverse group of South Carolina leaders learn more about the port, and we are fortunate to benefit from their expertise as well.”
The Port Ambassador Program is designed to increase public awareness and support for SC Ports’ strategic plan and initiatives. Since launching the program in 2016, 113 ambassadors have graduated.
Participants are selected from nominations by the Review and Oversight Commission on the State Ports Authority, SC Ports Board of Directors, SC Ports senior management team and County Council chairs from around the state.
2022-2023 Port Ambassadors
- Pat Black, Chairman, Calhoun County Economic Development Board, Cameron, SC
- Leslie Clark, Vice President of Operations, Carolinas AGC, Lexington, SC
- John Clark, Partner, The Clark Law Firm, Sumter, SC
- Delores Dacosta, Executive Director, SC Commission for Minority Affairs, Columbia, SC
- Rick Danner, Mayor of Greer, City of Greer, Greer, SC
- Todd Davis, President, Benefit Designs, LLC, Dillon, SC
- Kimberlyn Davis, Executive Director, Mother Emanuel Foundation, John's Island, SC
- Cashion Drolet, Chief Advocacy Officer, Historic Charleston Foundation, Charleston, SC
- Barron Ervin, President, Ervin Engineering, Florence, SC
- Dewey Evans, Senior Associate, Site Selection Group, Greenville, SC
- Bruce Greenberg, Commercial Real Estate Broker, Trinity Partners, Columbia, SC
- Brooks Hearn, Senior Public Relations Manager, Chernoff Newman, Summerville, SC
- Emily Heflin, Business Development Manager, MAU, Greenville, SC
- Jerome Heyward, North Charleston City Council Member and Mayor Pro Temp, City of North Charleston, North Charleston
- Jack Jamison, Principle and Broker-in-Charge, RealtyLink, Greenville, SC
- Kaala Maple, Consultant, Deloitte, Cayce, SC
- James T. "Jim" McCain, Jr., Chairman, Sumter County Council, Sumter, SC
- Richie Murray, Partner, Charter One Realty, Hilton Head, SC
- Joannie Nickel, Legislative & Public Policy Advocate, Municipal Association of SC, Columbia, SC
- Rob Perry, Director of Traffic Engineering, SCDOT, Columbia, SC
- Matt Pickard, Vice President, InLight Real Estate Partners, Charleston, SC
- Ashley Powell, Deputy County Supervisor, Berkeley County, Summerville, SC
- Daniel Prohaska, President & CEO, Lions Vision Services, Columbia, SC
- Mark Sweatman, Chief of Government Relations & Senior Advisor to the Board, MUSC, Columbia, SC
- Bryan Symmes, Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, Office of the Governor, Columbia, SC
- John Truluck, Director of Economic Development, Dorchester County Economic Development, Summerville, SC
- John Wall, Counsel, Burr Forman, Columbia, SC
- Marshall West, Berkeley County Councilman, Senior Real Estate Appraiser, Compass South Appraisals, Pinopolis, SC
- Charlton "Chuck" Whipple, Executive Director, Enterprise Campus Authority, Midlands Technical College, 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 Authority, established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 225,000 statewide jobs and generate nearly $63.4 billion in annual economic activity. SC Ports is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is an industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. Please visit www.scspa.com to learn more about SC Ports.