CHARLESTON, SC - June 14, 2018 - This week South Carolina Ports Authority celebrated the 2018 Port Ambassador Program graduation, recognizing 24 participants for completing an eight-month deep-dive into Port operations, economic development and the challenges facing the maritime and transportation industry.
"The Port Ambassadors Program engages a diverse group of South Carolina leaders in support of the Port's mission and provides a deeper understanding of the maritime community's critical role in our region," said SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome. "We're proud of the program's success and value the opportunity to educate the statewide community about our business and plans for the future."
Launched in 2016, the program exposes delegates to the Port's multiple business segments and operating locations across the state. Port Ambassadors meet with experts in maritime-related industries and port-dependent businesses through a series of full and half-day educational sessions and tours. Small class sizes offer the opportunity for discussion and networking with industry leaders.
"The Port Ambassadors Program was a great opportunity to learn not only about the Port's role in economic development and job creation, but the way it connects South Carolina businesses to the global economy," said Chakisse Newton, Principal, Cardinal Consulting. "The Port improves our daily lives in ways many people don't know, and it was an honor to be a member of the second class of Port Ambassadors."
The mission of the Port Ambassadors Program is to increase public awareness and understanding of SCPA's strategic plan and foster support for the Port's key statewide initiatives and activities. Participants are selected from nominations by the Review and Oversight Commission on the State Ports Authority, the SCPA Board of Directors and Senior Management Team.
Each program is limited to 25 ambassadors. More information is available at https://scspa.com/port-ambassador-program/.
Port Ambassadors Class of 2018:
Bob Barrineau, CBRE
Mac Bennett, Capital Development Services
Danny Black, Southern Carolina Regional Development Alliance
Doug Boston, Charleston International Airport
James Burns, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
Susanne Buck Cantey, Jupiter Holdings
Sky Foster, BMW-US
Tavia Gaddy, Greenville Area Development Corp.
Tommy Hall, Hall Management Group
Brad Henry, Henrico Holdings
Elizabeth Hills, Charleston Branch Pilots Association
Grayson Kelly, Tri-County Technical College Foundation
Craig Kinley, Growler Haus Holdings LLC
Mark Lattanzio, SunTrust Bank
Christin Mack, Find Great People, LLC
Bill Medich, South State Bank
Leah Moody, Law Office of Leah B. Moody, LLC
Chakisse Newton, Cardinal Consulting, LLC
Kenneth Nix, Land South of Charleston
Lowndes Pope, Riley Pope & Laney, LLC
Keith Rourk, Michelin North America
Jamie Scott, Jamie Scott Fitness, Inc.
Anna Thies, Maritime Association of SC
Walt Tobin, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College
About South Carolina Ports Authority
South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA), established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 187,200 statewide jobs and generate nearly $53 billion annual economic activity. SCPA is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet, and the Port 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. For more information on SCPA, please visit www.scspa.com.