Board of Directors
Dana Beach, Charleston: Founder and Executive Director of the Coastal Conservation League, Dana serves on numerous Boards, including the Council on Coastal Futures, the Governor's Water Law Committee and Smart Growth America.Emma Ruth Brittain, Myrtle Beach: Emma Ruth is a native of Darlington and now practices law with The Thompson & Henry Firm. She has extensive board experience including having served as President of the Horry County Bar Association.
Elliott Close, Rock Hill: Board member of the Conservation Land Bank, Harry Hampton Wildlife Fund and the Springs Company, Ell was the Democratic Party nominee for U.S. Senate in 1996.
Howard Coker, Hartsville: Howard is the Vice President and General Manager of Sonoco Products Company.
Holly Cork, Hilton Head: Holly is a former State Senator.
Carol Ervin, Charleston: Carol heads the Employment Law Practice Group at Young Clement Rivers, and is past president of the Charleston County Bar Association.
Esther Ferguson, Charleston: Board member of Young Concert Artists and the International Foundation of Education and Self Help, Esther also founded the National Drop-Out Prevention Center at Clemson University and served on the Spoleto USA Board.
Greg Gregory, Lancaster: Former State Senator, Greg was chairman of the senate Fish, Game and Forestry committee, which, among other things, oversaw the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SC DNR).
Blan Holman, Charleston: Blan is the lead litigator for the Southern Environmental Law Center in South Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina, Phi Beta Kappa and received his Law Degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Jay James, Darlington: Trustee of the Black Creek Land Trust and former Darlington City Council member, Jay is an attorney in the Darlington law-firm of Pauling & James.
D. Delores Logan, Columbia: Founder and CEO of Allcaregivers, Inc. of Lexington, Delores also serves on the board of the Lexington County Chamber of Commerce and Palmetto Aids Life Support Services (PALSS).
Lee Manigault, Charleston: Board member of the International Crane Foundation, SC Birds of Prey and SC Audubon Society, Lee is a graduate of Barnard College.
Jenks Mikell, Columbia: Founder and Board member of the Edisto Island Open Land Trust, Jenks owns an insurance business and has served eight years on DNR's Marine Advisory Committee.
Charles Patrick, Charleston: Founding Partner of Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, Charles also serves on the Trident United Way and Charleston Ballet Boards.
Alan Runyan, Beaufort: As a partner in Speights & Runyan, Alan has lectured and represented clients on construction and environmental issues, including asbestos property damage, groundwater and lead paint contamination, and issues with wastewater treatment facilities.
Harry Shealy, Ph.D, Aiken: (CVSC Board Chair) President of the Aiken County Open Land Trust and Vice-Chair of the Hitchcock Foundation, Harry is a professor of Biology at University of South Carolina Aiken.
June Shissias, Columbia: Former chair of the SC Parole, Probation and Pardon Board, June served five years in the State House of Representatives where she worked on child support, welfare, education, environmental and women's issues.
Mary Finlay Thompson, Ph.D, Columbia: Formerly on the national Boards of the Nature Conservancy Garden Club of America, Rab is retired from Benedict College where she was Professor of Biology. An avid horsewoman, Rab also has a home in Virginia.
Brad Wyche, Greenville: Founder and Executive Director of Upstate Forever, Brad chairs the Land Trust and formerly practiced law at the Wyche Law Firm.
Staff
Ann Timberlake, Executive Director: Ann formerly owned the Purple Cow Grocery, worked in retail sales and marketing, and helped organize the Sierra Club of the Carolinas in the 1970s. Email Ann.Bruce Lawrence, Development Director: Bruce recently graduated with a Master's in Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina and has worked in marketing and development since college. Email Bruce.
Debbie Parker, Program Director: Debbie serves on the Board of the State Environmental Leadership Program and the Congaree Riverkeeper. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Public Relations. Email Debbie.
John Ramsburgh, Climate and Energy Director: John is the former director of both the South Carolina Heat is On project and the Sierra Club of South Carolina. He has a background in community organizing and holds a PhD in English from the University of Michigan. Email John.
