South Carolina
BAF-SC Coalition Member Biographies
State Senator Larry Grooms (R-37), Senate Transportation Chair State Senator Grooms is the Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and the relatively new State Port Oversight Committee. He is widely seen as the main authority on transportation issues in the South Carolina Senate and will be of great value as a spokesperson all across the state. He has impeccable credentials with fiscal conservatives and within the tea party who has repeatedly won as a Republican in a Democrat district. State Senator Grooms’ district covers parts of both the 1st and 6th Congressional Districts and includes the city of Berkeley.
State Representative Kenny Bingham (R-89), House Majority Leader State Representative Kenny Bingham is the House Majority Leader and also serves on the Ways and Means Committee. He has become a major force in the Statehouse over the past year and sets the Republican agenda along with the House Speaker. His district, which is located in the 2nd Congressional District, is an extremely conservative part of the state and lends incredible credibility to the effort.
State Representative Alan Clemmons (R-107) State Representative Alan Clemmons represents the Myrtle Beach area, which is located in the new 7th Congressional District. State Representative Clemmons is chairman of the I-73 coalition. He is well-known throughout his district and has been a vocal supporter of infrastructure improvements for Myrtle Beach and Horry County.
State Representative Bill Herbkersman (R-118) State Representative Bill Herbkersman is a well-respected developer whose district lies in Bluffton/Hilton Head, an area redrawn into the 1st Congressional District. He is by far the most well-liked and well-known official from that area. It is an extremely high growth area with numerous transportation issues. His support will be invaluable. He has great clout with both Republicans and Democrats.
State Representative Gary Simrill (R-46) State Representative Gary Simrill represents the Rock Hill area, which is a rapidly growing area outside of Charlotte, located in the 5th Congressional District. State Representative Simrill is the President and CEO of Carolina Motorsports and is a well-known and well-respected member of the community. He serves on the powerful Way and Means Committee.
State Representative Murrell Smith (R - 67) State Representative Murrell Smith is a lawyer whose district lies in the more moderate middle region of the state, covering parts of the 5th and 6th Congressional Districts. He serves on the Ways and Means Committee and is a popular figure in his home county of Sumter.
State Representative Leon Stavrinakis (D-119) State Representative Leon Stavrinakis is a moderate Democrat from the Charleston area, which is located in the 1st Congressional District. State Representative Stavrinakis is a Democrat and was elected in a heavily Republican district. He is a former Charleston County Council chairman who is the heir apparent to Mayor Riley once he decides to step aside.
State Representative Rick Quinn (R-69) State Representative Rick Quinn is a member of the Education and Public Works Committee and was House Majority Leader from 1999-2004. State Representative Quinn is a member of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce and is the owner and president of Mail Market Strategies. State Representative Quinn is from Lexington County, which is located in the 2nd Congressional District.
South Carolina
[BAF-SC Coalition Member Biographies Continued]
State Representative James Smith (R-72) State Representative James Smith is a member of the Judiciary Committee and has served in the State House since 1997. State Representative Smith hails from Richland County portion of Columbia, which located in the 2nd Congressional District.
State Representative Chip Huggins (R-85) State Representative Chip Huggins is a member of the Ways and Means Committee. He serves as Chairman of the Business and Commerce Subcommittee and as a member of the Chapin and Irmo chapters of the Chamber of Commerce. State Representative Huggins hails from Columbia, which located in the 2nd Congressional District.
State Representative Rita Allison (R-36) State Representative Rita Allison represents the Spartanburg area. She left the State House to work as an educational advisor for former Gov. Mark Sanford (R) and recently won her seat back. She is a well-known and respected official.
Mayor Joe Riley (D), Charleston Charleston Mayor Joe Riley is one of the most well-known mayors in South Carolina and has been active with BAF in the past. The field team contacted Mayor Riley and he has agreed to continue his participation in the coalition. Mayor Riley is well-respected among both Republicans and Democrats. He has the name recognition, clout, and expertise to be effective statewide. Charleston is located in the 1st Congressional District.
Mayor Steve Benjamin (D), Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, a Democrat, was elected Mayor of Columbia in April 2010, which is located partially in the 2nd and 6th Congressional Districts. Mayor Benjamin serves on numerous boards for nonprofit organizations such as the Columbia Urban League and the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Bobby Horton, West Columbia Mayor Bobby Horton is the Mayor of West Columbia and a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. While non-partisan, Mayor Horton tends to lean Republican in his views. The City of West Columbia is located in the eastern portion of Lexington County, along the Congaree and Saluda Rivers, in the 2nd Congressional District. The City of West Columbia finds itself poised to take advantage of not only its place in the Central Midlands Region, but to also enhance the unique qualities in the city. The city is beginning to realize its untapped potential as a riverfront city as well as its rich heritage. In the next millennium, the city will focus itself on preserving unique, historic areas of the city as well as beautification, image, growth, and economic development. It has a population of approximately 15,000.
Mayor Randy Halfacre, Lexington Mayor Randy Halfacre is Mayor of the Town of Lexington, a key conservative area in the state.
Mayor Joseph McElveen, Sumter Mayor Joseph McElveen has been the Mayor of Sumter, located in the 5th Congressional District, since 2000. Mayor McElveen, a Democrat, previously served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1986-1996 and was on the Judiciary and Rules Committees. He has served as a member of the City of Sumter Zoning Board of Adjustments, as well as a member of the City/County Planning Commission. He has also served as a member of the Sumter City Council. He is a past President of the Sumter Jaycees, the Sumter Optimist Club, and the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce.
South Carolina
[BAF-SC Coalition Member Biographies Continued]
Mayor Billy Swails (R), Mt. Pleasant Mayor of Mt. Pleasant, a conservative and rapidly growing town across the river from Charleston, Mayor Swails is also a well-respected businessman in the community, working also as a State Farm insurance agent. Located in the 1st Congressional district, Mt. Pleasant has a port terminal within the city as well as major traffic issues. Mayor Swails serves as chair of the Transportation, Police, Legal and Judicial Committees of Council.
Lewis Gossett, President and CEO of SC Manufacturers Alliance Lewis Gossett serves as President and CEO of SC Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA). Mr. Gossett has personally agreed to serve as a member of the state coalition. The SCMA has become the pre-eminent business association in the state and is highly respected among conservative leaders throughout the state.
John Hassell, Vice Chairman, South Carolina Ports Authority Hailing from the 1st Congressional District, John Hassell is the Vice Chairman of the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SPA) Board and Executive Director of the Maritime Association of the Port of Charleston. He served as interim CEO of the SPA before the current CEO was hired. He is a respected, well known vocal proponent of all things related to the Port.
Brad Dean, President and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Brad Dean is the President and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. From the 7th Congressional District, Mr. Dean is the face and voice of Myrtle Beach, which is the ending point for I-73. Mr. Dean would be a valuable asset on the coalition as the national I-73 coalition effort is run out of the Chamber’s office.
Scott Fant, Vice Chairman, Sloan Construction Scott Fant is the Vice Chairman of Sloan Construction. Sloan Construction is one of the largest heavy highway and general contracting companies in the Carolinas. With offices in upstate Duncan and in the capital, Sloan Construction offers a full-range of heavy construction services from excavation and site work to bridge construction and materials supply. Some of the company’s clients include Departments of Transportation, local governments, private developers and corporate entities.
Jake Rasor, President of Whitefords, Inc. Jake Rasor is from the 3rd Congressional District and is President of Whitefords, Inc., based in Pelzer. Mr. Whitefords is the owner and operator of numerous fast food chains in the Upstate, and Rasor is the face of this well-respected company and is active politically among conservatives.
Allison Dean Love, Former Member South Carolina General Assembly Allison Dean Love has more than 20 years of experience in public relations and communications within a range of industries – from transportation and traffic safety, to property and casualty insurance, to banking, healthcare, and nonprofit organization management. Love has been elected twice by the South Carolina General Assembly as the only woman to serve on The Citadel’s Board of Visitors, The Military College of South Carolina. She is a member of the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics and the SC General Assembly Women’s Caucus.
Marty McKee, Vice President, Thrift Development Corp. Marty McKee is the Vice President of Thrift Development Corp., and a member of the American General Contractors of South Carolina.
Randy Snow, Vice President, United Infrastructure Group, Inc. Randy Snow is the Vice President of United Infrastructure Group, Inc., and a member of the American General Contractors of South Carolina.