2025 Institute of Government Celebrates 74 Graduates During SCAC Annual Conference

Nearly 75 county officials from around the state celebrated an auspicious milestone during the South Carolina Association of Counties (SCAC) 2025 Annual Conference and Institute of Government. This year saw 74 county officials from 27 of South Carolina’s 46 counties graduate from the Institute of Government for County Officials, Level I and Level II. 

Four counties—Darlington, Dorchester, Orangeburg and Saluda—attained a 100% graduation rate for their county council members this year. 

Level I graduates 

Allendale County—Clerk to Council Judy Kinard* 

Barnwell County—County Council Member Daniel Alexander* and Human Resources Director Katrina Douse 

Calhoun County—Council Member Richard Carson, Clerk to Council Shayla Jenkins and Human Resources Director Brandy Roberson 

Charleston County—Council Chairman  Kylon Middleton 

Chester County—Council Vice Chairwoman Erin Mosley and Clerk to Council Kristie Donaldson 

Clarendon County—Council Vice Chairman John Coker 

Edgefield County—Council Members Jacqueline Kennion and William Moody and Clerk to Council Aretha Eubanks 

Florence County—Director of Parks and Recreation Nathan Dawsey and Clerk to Council Hope Jones 

Greenville County—Council Vice Chairman Rick Bradley 

Greenwood County—Council Member Teresa Griffin* 

Hampton County—Treasurer Alice Gordon and Clerk to Council Altresia Orr 

Horry County—Director of Finance Jamie Norman 

Kershaw County—Council Members Derek Showmake and Brant Tomlinson 

Marlboro County—Council Member Pearly Lawson* 

Oconee County—Assessor Kevin Robinson 

Orangeburg County—Clerk of Court Winnifa Clark* 

Pickens County—Director of Communications and Engagement Jamie Burns and Collaboration Manager Jessica Varney* 

Richland County—Council Vice Chairman Derrek Pugh, Council Member Jason Branham and Assistant County Administrator Aric Jensen* 

Williamsburg County—Council Member Paul McKnight 

York County—County Manager Joshua Edwards 

Level II graduates 

Allendale County—Council Members Willia Jennings and James White and Clerk to Council Judy Kinard 

Barnwell County—Council Member Daniel Alexander and County Administrator Meredith Wright and Clerk to Council Martha Thompson 

Beaufort County—Council Vice Chairman Anna Maria Tabernik; Council Members Paula Brown and Thomas Reitz; County Administrator Michael Moore; and Assistant County Administrator John Robinson 

Berkeley County—Supervisor/Chairman Johnny Cribb and Clerk to Council Amanda Troy 

Calhoun County—Project Manager Marc Briggman 

Chester County—Administrator Brian Hester 

Colleton County—Council Chairman Scott Biering and  Vice Chairman Bubba Trippe 

 Dorchester County—Council Vice Chairwoman Rita May Ranck and Deputy County Administrator Mario Formisano 

Fairfield County—Council Member Peggy Swearingen 

Florence County—Director of Voter Registration & Election Julian Young 

Greenville County—Council Member Alan Mitchell 

Greenwood County—Council Vice Chairman Dayne Pruitt and Council Members Johanna Bishop and Teresa Griffin 

Horry County—County Administrator Barry Spivey 

Lancaster County—Council Member Jose Luis and County Administrator Dennis Marstall 

Marion County—Council Member Joel Rogers 

Marlboro County—Council Member Pearly Lawson 

Orangeburg County—Clerk of Court Winnifa Clark 

Pickens County—County Administrator Ken Roper, Assistant County Administrator Allison Fowler and Collaboration Manager Jessica Varney 

Richland County—Assistant County Administrators Aric Jensen and Lori Thomas 

Union County—Council Members Danny Bright and Carolyn Rutherford 

Williamsburg County—Supervisor/Chairman Kelvin Washington and Council Member Jacquelyn Hailes 

York County—Council Member Debi Cloninger 

*Seven county officials graduated from both levels in 2025. 

The Institute of Government for County Officials provides elected county leaders and employees the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge. Participants must complete 27 hours of instruction to graduate from Level I and 18 hours of instruction to graduate from Level II. 

SCAC partners with the Joseph P. Riley Jr. Center for Livable Communities, College of Charleston, to offer the Institute of Government three times a year. Clemson University’s Master of Public Administration program sponsors the Institute.