Local Chamber News
South Carolina Chamber's S. Hunter Howard, Jr. Announces Retirement
Columbia, SC -
After a long and successful career in leading the most powerful advocacy organization for business in the state, S. Hunter Howard, Jr. announced his retirement effective September 30, 2008. He has served as president and chief executive officer of the South Carolina Chamber since 1992.
"It has been a remarkable experience. I’ve had the honor of working with some of South Carolina’s most talented business executives. These great individuals share one common vision: they are committed to moving South Carolina’s economy forward,” said Howard. “The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is successful because of our outstanding members from the business community. They actively participate in the grassroots process. I’ve been particularly proud of our small business and manufacturing members.”
“Because of our members’ dedication and the outstanding staff at the Chamber, I have confidence that the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce’s tradition of excellence will continue. Now, I am looking forward to enjoying a new chapter in my life with my wife and family in my hometown Simpsonville."
Three years ago, Howard led the Chamber in embarking on a new mission to increase South Carolina’s per capita income through increased productivity and to position the state to compete globally.
"The State Chamber is the voice of business in South Carolina and for nearly 17 years Hunter Howard has been its steadfast and effective leader," said Jim Micali, chairman of the board of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and chairman and president of Michelin North America. "On behalf of all of our members, I want to thank Hunter for all he has done to make South Carolina a better place to work and raise a family. I’m sure that whatever the future holds for him, he will continue to make significant contributions to our state."
In 2005, the Chamber played an instrumental role in securing support for passage of long-overdue comprehensive business tort reform legislation. The final bill included strong sanctions for bringing frivolous lawsuits, as well as prudent venue provisions that reduced the popular practice of “jury shopping.” Passage of the bill resolved a decade-long battle to bring true judicial reform to South Carolina.
“I’m most proud of the work that the Chamber has done and continues to do in the areas of education,” said Howard. “The Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA), now known as Personal Pathways to Success, is probably the most important piece of legislation passed in this state in more than 20 years. I truly believe that as we continue to fund and support this key piece of legislation, we will begin to see more students graduating from high school and moving into successful meaningful careers.”
Other key education legislation includes the Endowed Chairs program, and the Innovation Centers bill, which provided funds to create research innovation centers in association with the state’s research universities, and $1 million for apprenticeship programs.
In addition to business tort reform legislation and passage of EEDA, significant workers’ compensation reform became a reality and movement is now underway to expand port facilities at the Charleston Navy Base and build facilities in Jasper County. Also, for the first time, tourism was allocated $30 million for advertising, marketing, and new product development, which will significantly impact South Carolina’s top industry.
During Howard's tenure, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce became the first state chamber in the nation to be awarded accreditation with distinction from the United States Chamber of Commerce because of the best practices that the Chamber has implemented such as a new grassroots system, relationships that have been built with local chambers around the state, and processes that are in place for gathering information from members to develop the Competitiveness Agenda each year.
A search committee, which is being led by Coleman Lew and Associates, has been formed to determine a successor to Howard.
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s first state chamber Accredited with Distinction by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is the state’s largest statewide broad-based business and industry trade association representing more than 6,500 member companies and more than 600,000 member employees, with 89 percent of membership comprised of small businesses. As the unified voice for business and industry, the Chamber serves as a catalyst for increasing per capita income and enhancing the state’s global competitiveness in order to improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians.
Source: TimesandDemocrat.com
Publication Date: March 27, 2008