COLUMBIA (January 31, 2025) – William B. Dukes, of Lexington County, was named Vice-Chairman of the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission at the Commission’s January 31, 2025 meeting in Columbia.
Dukes said, “I am excited to serve as the next Vice-Chairman for the SCDOT Commission. I look forward to working alongside my fellow commissioners and the impressive team at SCDOT to build on the current momentum and improve the transportation network in South Carolina.”
Dukes is owner of Blue Marlin Restaurant and Signature Catering.
A graduate from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Dukes received an ROTC commission in the US Air Force. A Vietnam veteran, Dukes served in the US Air Force for four years and attained the rank of Captain.
In 1981, Dukes cofounded and developed the Longhorn Steakhouse chain.
Dukes was founder and Chairman of Honor Flight of SC, with more than 2,000 World War II and Korean War veterans honored. He was appointed by the Secretary of the Army to be the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army representing South Carolina and served in this capacity from 2014-2018.
Dukes was a member of the Lexington-Richland Airport Commission, where he first began serving in 2002; served as member of the Newberry College Board of Trustees; is a former Director of the Columbia and Charlotte Chambers of Commerce; a former advisor to the SC Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging; past member of the USC Educational Foundation; and past chairman of the Columbia Convention Center Authority.
Dukes received The Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor, from the Governor of South Carolina.
