CHARLESTON, SC — MAY 9, 2025 — SC Ports celebrates the 30 South Carolina professionals who completed the 2024-2025 Port Ambassador program.
Throughout the past year, the group toured the Port’s ocean and inland terminals, attended the State of the Port address, and met with port-dependent businesses around the state, giving them a first-hand look at how port operations drive an $87 billion statewide economic impact each year.
“There is no better way for our state’s professionals to understand how the Port spurs economic prosperity in every corner of our state, than by having the opportunity to see our operations up close,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “We appreciate our supply chain and economic development partners who recognize the value of the Port Ambassador Program and take the time to show participants how the Port connects South Carolina businesses to markets around the world.”
This year’s participants were the first to tour construction progress at the Navy Base Intermodal Facility, which will soon provide near-dock rail to the Port of Charleston, and the recently reopened Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal.
“The Port Ambassador Program provided a well-defined opportunity to better understand the statewide operations and impacts of SC Ports,” said Ryan Johnson, Director of Administration with the City of North Charleston. “The Port’s reach extends far beyond the docks, shaping our communities, influencing our infrastructure, and playing a fundamental role in enriching the state’s economy and workforce. Building strong and lasting connections between the Port and stakeholders is vital as South Carolina continues to progress.”
The Port Ambassador Program is designed to increase public understanding of SC Ports’ role in our state’s economy. The program has graduated more than 200 participants since its launch in 2016.
2024-2025 Ambassadors:
Jay Byars, Dorchester County Council
Clay Chester, Keowee Pools
Randy Cole, OVP Health
Brooks Courtney, Bridge Commercial
Detrice Dawkins, Dillon County Council
Carla Edwards, SC Dept of Commerce
Austin Floyd, Sumter Adult Education
Andy Fulghum, Jasper County
Chris Gaskins, SC Dept of Transportation
Michael Glenn, SouthState Bank
Hayden Grooms, Miller Dawson Sigal & Ward
Trent Holland, Huntington National Bank
Jenny Honeycutt, Costa Honeycutt, Charleston County Council
Elizabeth Jablonski, Dominion Energy
Ryan Johnson, City of North Charleston
Jamie Lominack, RealtyLink Development Co.
Fredy Madrid, Gibbs International
Charles Marshall, Dominion Energy
Nick Pye, South Carolina Highway Patrol
Jake Reed, Reed Commercial Partners
Charisse Reichenbach, Reichenbach Automotive
Faith Rivers James, SC Coastal Conservation League
Chris Scott, Pearce Land Company
Fernanda Ceva (Sieverling), European American Chamber of Commerce- Carolinas
Leslie Skardon, Sustain SC
Yarley Steedly, Coastal Conservation League
Amy Stern, Berkeley County Council
Phillip Taylor, Colleton County Council
John Wienges, SC Association of Counties
Ryan Young, Cushman & Wakefield
About South Carolina Ports
South Carolina Ports owns and operates marine terminals at the Port of Charleston and two rail-served inland ports in Greer and Dillon. As the 8th largest U.S. container port, SC Ports connects port-dependent businesses throughout the Southeast and beyond to global markets. SC Ports proactively invests in infrastructure ahead of demand to provide reliable service, efficient operations, cargo capacity, an expansive rail network and the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is a vital economic engine for South Carolina, with port operations supporting 1 in 9 jobs statewide. Learn more: scspa.
