New officers, board members selected during the South Carolina Association of Counties' 2026 Annual Conference
Calhoun County Council Vice Chairman Cecil M. Thornton Jr. was elected president of the South Carolina Association of Counties (SCAC) for 2026-27 during the Association’s Annual Conference held July 27-30.
A St. Matthews native, Thornton has served on Calhoun County Council since 2011. He also represents the county on the boards of the Three Rivers Solid Waste Authority and Lake Marion Regional Water Agency. Thornton succeeds Chesterfield County Council Chairwoman Mary D. Anderson, who was SCAC’s president for 2025-26.
"Serving the residents of District 4 and Calhoun County has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Thornton said. “Public service has always been personal to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside county leaders from every corner of South Carolina as we advocate for policies that strengthen all 46 counties and improve the lives of the people we serve.”
Thornton said SCAC has played an important role throughout his time in county government.
“The Association has helped me grow as a county leader and has been a trusted partner to Calhoun County through its advocacy, educational offerings and collaborative network,” he said. “No two counties are exactly alike, but we share many of the same challenges and goals. County governments are on the frontlines of the issues that come with South Carolina’s record growth, making it more important than ever that we work together for the future of our residents and communities.”
Thornton owns and operates his family’s business, St. Matthews Furniture, and is a Winthrop University graduate. His public service career began as a volunteer and founder of the St. Matthews Area Revitalization Team. Thornton previously served on St. Matthews Town Council.
Thornton has served on the SCAC Board of Directors since 2018 and currently chairs the South Carolina Counties Insurance Trusts Board, where he has served since 2022. His leadership and professional achievements have earned statewide recognition, including being named one of The State and Columbia Business Journal's 20 Under 40 business leaders in the Midlands in 2008 and the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce's Business Person of the Year in 2006. He is also a Palmetto Boys State alumnus.
Thornton and his wife, Caroline, have one son, who is a student at the University of South Carolina.
In addition, the following board members were elected: Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker, Fairfield County Council Chairman Clarence Gilbert, McCormick County Council Vice Chairman Charles T. Jennings, Abbeville County Council Chairman Bryan McClain and Kershaw County Council Member Sammie Tucker Jr.