Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The Senate assembled at 11:00 A.M., the hour to which it stood adjourned, and was called to order by the ACTING PRESIDENT, Senator KNOTTS.

Memorandum To: Clerk of the House
Clerk of the Senate

Re: Committee Hearings, April 1, 2008

The Committee to Screen Candidates for Boards of Trustees of State Colleges and Universities finds the following candidates for Boards of Trustees qualified. Background reports from the State Law Enforcement Division show no felony charges against any of the candidates.

The Citadel

At-large                     Glenn D. Addison

Clemson University

At-large one seat

(term to expire 2010)           Pat Black, Jr.

John L. Cote, Jr.

Jack W. Erter, Jr. (withdrew Apr. 4)

Nicky McCarter

Neil C. Robinson, Jr.

Steven G. Strickland

Rodney Williams

Lander University

One Congressional District

1st District, Seat 2           Robert A. Brimmer

Winthrop University

One Congressional District

2nd District, Seat 2           Donna G. Tinsley

Respectfully submitted,  
Rep. Olin Phillips, Chm.           Sen. Thomas Alexander
Rep. Lanny F. Littlejohn           Sen. Linda Short
Rep. Joan Brady                   Sen. Jake Knotts
Rep. Floyd Breeland               Sen. Harvey S. Peeler, Jr.

The meeting was conducted on April 1, 2008 at 433 Blatt Building, Columbia, South Carolina, before Lisa F. Huffman, Court Reporter and Notary Public in and for the State of South Carolina.

APPEARANCES:
Representative Olin Phillips, Chairman
Senator Jake Knotts, Vice-Chairman
Representative Floyd Breeland
Representative Joan Brady
Representative Lanny F. Littlejohn
Senator Harvey S. Peeler, Jr.

Also present:
Sophia Derrick

CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: We'll go to the Citadel, Glen D. Addison. Please stand and raise your right hand. Will the information given here today be the truth, nothing but the truth, so help you God?
(Affirmation)
MR. ADDISON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Mr. Addison, do you have any health-related problems that the Screening Committee should be made aware of that would prevent you from serving on the board in a full capacity?
MR. ADDISON: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and other activities, would you be able to attend board meetings on a regular basis?
MR. ADDISON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interests, professionally or personally that present a conflict of interest because of your service on the board?
MR. ADDISON: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you now hold any public position of honor or trust that, if elected to the board, would cause you to violate the dual office holding clause of the constitution?
MR. ADDISON: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you. Go ahead with a short statement, sir.
MR. ADDISON: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And ladies and gentlemen, my name is Glen Addison. I'm currently a legislative elected member for the Citadel Board of Visitors, and have been on the board since 2002. In that time, I've served as both the Chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee, which I currently serve in that capacity. Also, Chairman of the Honorary Degrees Committee. I currently serve as the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Visitors.

I have served also in the military for quite some time. In my 29th year now, and six of that was active duty in the Air Force upon graduation from the Citadel, 18 at the South Carolina Air National Guard of McIntyre, and since 2003, I've been the Regional Director for a program called AFNSEPA, which is Air Force National Security Emergency Preparedness Agency. We are the Air Force representatives for defense supports of the authorities. In that capacity, I've served in eight states as the director of what's known as FEMA Region Four.   That brings me -- gives me a unique skill set that applies to working with our corp cadets, and I'm currently the only member of the board that has current military experience outside of General Spears, who's Adjutant General, and, of course, not a graduate of the Citadel, but he serves as an ex-officio member. So, I'm able to speak with our cadet corp, which quite a few, as you know, enter the military, on current matters dealing with the military, which gives me a unique perspective.   I'm a businessman. I work with Merck Pharmaceutical. I currently live on Daniel Island in Charleston. And previously owned a business in that arena, and have served in quite a few different areas with the Citadel Alumni Affairs, both as President of the Citadel Club here, the Regional Director for our program for four counties, and then sought election as the Board of Visitors member back in 2002. I look forward to continuing my service to the school. It's been an honor to be able to do that, to represent the school down there, and here at the legislature, so I'll take any questions that you may have.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do the committee members have any questions?
SENATOR PEELER: General, I just appreciate your willingness to serve.
MR. ADDISON: Thank you, sir.
SENATOR PEELER: Move for favorable report.
SENATOR KNOTTS: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Knotts second. All in favor, signify by saying, Aye.
COMMITTEE: Aye.
MR. ADDITION: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Next, in order, let's skip over Clemson at this time and do Lander. There's only one there, and it's Robert A. Brimmer, First District, Seat Two.
MR. BRIMMER: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Mr. Brimmer, please stand and raise your right hand. Will the information given here today be the truth, nothing but the truth, so help you God?
(Affirmation)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Mr. Brimmer, do you have any health-related problems that the Screening Committee should be made aware of that would prevent you from serving on the board in a full capacity?
MR. BRIMMER: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and other activities, would you be able to attend board meetings on a regular basis?
MR. BRIMMER: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interests, professionally or personally, that present a conflict of interest because of your service on the board?
MR. BRIMMER: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you now hold any public position of honor or trust that, if elected to the board, would cause you to violate the dual office holding clause of the constitution?
MR. BRIMMER: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Give us a short statement, sir.
MR. BRIMMER: Yes, sir. My name is Bob Brimmer, and I'm a resident of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. I've been serving on the Lander Board of Trustees since 2004, and during that time -- I actually served in Seat Number Two in the First Congressional District. During that time, I've been very active in serving on basically two committees, one Student Affairs and Inter-Collegiac Athletics, and the second, the Facility and Financial Management Committees. During my tenure so far, there's been 14 scheduled board meetings, and I'm proud to say that I've been able to attend 13 of those 14. I had one work conflict, but otherwise, have been a faithful attendant. Also, I've been an active attendant at graduations and other special events, being three and a half hours away, it does take a lot of a good part of the day. It's a commitment that I'm willing to make and happy to make for Lander.

I'm a 1988 graduate alumnus of Lander University, and I feel very strongly that Lander does a very good job of it's commitment to quality education for South Carolina. Since being on the board, Dr. Ball and his staff at Lander have done a great job. We have been active in constructing very new, state-of-the-art facilities, as well as catching up on some long-term maintenance that needed to happen, as well as maintaining Lander as being one of the best values in higher education in South Carolina today.

We are consistently one of the lowest tuition schools in South Carolina, so we're very proud of that, being able to accomplish other goals, as well.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Are there any questions from any committee members?
REPRESENTATIVE BREELAND: Move forward.
SENATOR PEELER: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Motion is approved. Second by Senator Peeler. All in favor, signify by saying, Aye.
COMMITTEE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Unanimous. Thank you, sir.
MR. BRIMMER: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: We'll go to Winthrop University, Second District, Seat Two, Donna G. Tinsley.
MS. TINSLEY: Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Donna Glen Tinsley.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Donna, raise your right hand.
MS. TINSLEY: Oh, excuse me.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Please stand and raise your right hand. Will the information given here today be the truth, nothing but the truth, so help you God?
(Affirmation)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health-related problems that the Screening Committee should be made aware of that would prevent you from serving on the board in a full capacity?
MS. TINSLEY: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and other activities, would you be able to attend board meetings on a regular basis?
MS. TINSLEY: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interests, professionally or personally, that present a conflict of interest because of your service on the board?
MS. TINSLEY: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you now hold any public position of honor or trust that, if elected to the board, would cause you to violate the dual office holding clause of the constitution?
MS. TINSLEY: I'm a member of legislative council, now.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Go ahead.
MS. TINSLEY: Thank you. Excuse me for jumping. This is -- my name is Donna Glenn Tinsley. In 2005, I had the privilege of being elected to filling an expired term on the Winthrop University Board. I take this very seriously. It's an honor and a privilege, and this will be an election for a six-year term.

I was elected the Secretary to the Board in 2007, and then again in 2008, and I served on some of the committees. It's an excellent school, and I'm very proud of what Dr. DiGiorgio, and the administration staff, and professors have done at this wonderful institution, and I thank you for the opportunity to do this.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions for Donna?
REPRESENTATIVE BREELAND: Mr. Chairman, I move for approval.
REPRESENTATIVE BRADY: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Senator Peeler?
MR. PEELER: Mr. Chairman, I just like to point out the Senator from Lexington that Ms. Tinsley quotes The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. I don't want this to have any influence on others.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: All in favor, signify by saying, Aye.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: It's unanimous. In the essence of time, the rest of you Clemson people running for the one seat that expires in 2010.
SENATOR KNOTTS: Mr. Chairman, I guarantee you none of the Clemson people read that book.
SENATOR PEELER: How many candidates do we have, seven?
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Eight or nine. Eight. Seven. Let me ask Pat Black, Jr., will you stand?
MR. BLACK: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Just stand right where you are at. John L. Cote, Jr., Jack W. Erter, Jr., Nicky McCarter, Neil C. Robinson, Jr., Steven G. Strickland, Rodney Williams to stand, please. All seven are present. Would you please all stand and raise your right hands. Will the information given here today be the truth, nothing but the truth, so help you God?
(Affirmation)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do any of you have any health- related problems that the Screening Committee should be made aware of that would prevent you from serving on the board in a full capacity?
THE CANDIDATES: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupations and other activities, would you be able to attend board meetings on a regular basis?
THE CANDIDATES: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do any of you have any interests, professionally or personally, that present a conflict of interest because of your service on the board?
MR. STRICKLAND: I am appointed to the Georgetown Pilotage Commission. I'm currently the secretary.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: That's not a conflict, sir.
MR. ROBINSON: Mr. Chairman, I'm Senator McConnell's appointee to the Education Oversight Committee. If I was elected to the board position, it would be my intention to withdraw from that.
CHAIRMAN PHILIPS: Well, we have Representative Littlejohn joining us from Spartanburg. Any one else that would have a conflict of interest?
THE CANDIDATES: No, sir.
SENATOR KNOTTS: They're a couple Mr. Chairman that raised their hand back there, but they didn't say which boards or commissions they were on.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other commissions we need to know about?
UNIDENTIFIED AUDIENCE MEMBER: No, sir. I was raising my hand, Senator Knotts, taking the oath.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Oh, all right. Do you now hold any public position of honor or trust that, if elected to the board, would cause you to violate the dual office holding clause of the constitution?
THE CANDIDATES: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Starting with Pat Black, come up and make a short statement.
MR. BLACK: Representative Phillips, Representatives of the Committee, I will stand here with propensity for a short statement. You have my statement of testimony in your packet, I believe. I want to thank you for the opportunity to meet with you this morning and share with you my feelings about being on the Clemson University Board of Trustees. I feel like my service, my past service at Clemson University, coupled with my experience in the education profession, economic development, and professional areas qualify me for this position and would make contributions to the board even further.

I want to serve for two paramount reasons. First of all, the experience that I have, and service to Clemson is exemplary. And also, I believe very strongly in the mission of Clemson University and our land grant college system in the United States. I'm a native of Orangeburg, South Carolina. A 1971 and 1973 graduate of Clemson University, with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Agricultural Economics. I currently reside in Cameron, which is in Calhoun County, not too far from here. I have two grown daughters, and I live in Cameron with my wife, Kathy.

I think my service is well-documented to Clemson and other areas, as well as in the testimony that I've written to you. I've been described as Clemson orange, through and through. That's a description that I'm very proud of. I've been a member of the Clemson Alumni Association and IPTAY since graduation.

I've been privileged and honored to serve two terms on the Clemson Board of Visitors, and a term as Chairman. I also served on the Clemson University Ag Alumni Board. I served as Vice-President of that organization. One of the more interesting experiences I've had in service to Clemson is I have served as a mentor for the renowned "Call Me MISTER Program." It was established several years ago at Clemson. It makes significant contributions to minorities in South Carolina. And I am a very proud 2004 recipient of the Distinguished Service award for Clemson.

Because of my experience and my desire to serve, my belief in Clemson University's mission, and where it will go in the future, I will appreciate the opportunity, would be honored to serve as a member of the Clemson University Board of Trustees, elected by the South Carolina Legislature.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions from the committee members? Mr. Black?
MR. BLACK: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: As you know, right now, we had a kind of tough period, economically and everything, going on. I'm kind of concerned about the newspaper print that I've seen about Clemson borrowing money, tuition fees.
MR. BLACK: Yes.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: If you were elected, would you ask the board to ask for an outside audit of the tuition funds, grant money?
MR. BLACK: Well, as you well know Clemson is audited every year. We have an internal and external audit. I think any funds have to be scrutinized very closely. I think funds have to be looked at very closely by the board. If I were on there, it would not be real step forward. Every decision I would go into would be within the interest of the citizens of South Carolina, and the students, and the faculty and staff. I, too, have been concerned about the information that has been put in the press.

Of course, that case is in the court system right now, so I will be watching any comments that we make, but with the amount that is there, and an organization as large as Clemson, the millions of dollars sounds like a lot, but when you compare it to the total budget of Clemson University, it is not that much. I've had to -- they've indicated -- administration has indicated that it's a 45 day fund, and I think most organizations would have that amount of funds to operate on, should something occur.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds in the courts. It is probably not a good situation for anyone involved with Clemson, but I have firm confidence, great confidence in the administration board and others at Clemson University that everything will be fine, and that Clemson will continue to be one of the top Universities, not only in South Carolina, but in the nation.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other questions?
MR. PEELER: Chairman, I'm a 1970 graduate from Clemson. I spent a lot of time in the P & A Building. I won't say anything about you if you don't say anything about --
MR. BLACK: That's good. What happens in pool hall stays in pool hall, I understand. It was good times wasn't Senator Peeler?
SENATOR PEELER: Oh, man, if I could go back. Mr. Chairman, I move in favor of the board.
SENATOR KNOTTS: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: All in favor, say, Aye.
THE COMMITTEE: Aye.
MR. BLACK: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: We will let you know when you can come and seek pledges.
MR. BLACK: Yes, sir. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay. We'll ask Mr. John L. Cote, Jr.
MR. COTE: I'm John Cote from Myrtle Beach in Horry County. I'm a 1975 graduate of Clemson with a B.S. in accounting. My wife also graduated from Clemson, although she started out at Winthrop. I'm the first graduate of my family to go to Clemson, and it's been 12 of us, now, so we're really proud of that. And it kind of speaks also to Horry County, and how much growth there has been in alumni, as the students that have attended Clemson University. It's a pretty big draw, and always has been, and will continue to be, and as we grow, it's really the reason why I'm here, is that we feel really strongly that Horry County and the coast should be represented on the Board of Trustees at Clemson University.

So that has driven some of my decisions to come forward and ask for the opportunity to do just that. I believe in giving back to our communities and those areas that have helped me and served me during my life, and Clemson, as well as Horry County, both fit into that category, and have been responsible for a lot of the things that I've been blessed with in my life. So, in any event, over the years, I've tried to give back to both the community and Clemson University, and at Clemson, I've served on the Alumni National Council. I was Marketing Chairman for that group. In addition, I was on the Advancement Board of College and Commerce and Industry at Clemson. I've been a member of the Capital Campaign Committee, still a member of that because we still need money, so we might take some of that money that I hear is floating around.

And I've been an IPTAY member, Lifetime donor, and a Heisman donor. In addition, for my community, I've served the on the Grand Strand Chamber of Commerce, held some leadership positions there, developed Coastal Carolina Board of Visitors for the Wall School of Business. As for my professional life, I've been CFO, Chief Financial Officer, and also the President Chief Operating Officer of a company called Waccamaw Corporation. Most people would know it as Waccamaw Pottery, and that was where my career really began. About eight years ago we sold that company, I started Wealth Management Group, and I now am founder and president of Financial Insights, which is a wealth advisory management group. We have offices in Myrtle Beach, as well as Wilmington and Charleston.

So, in any event, I feel that with that experience, and with my prior involvement with Clemson, I think that I would help in whatever decision-making that is very critical for a university to have. I think I'd be a member that could add to that in a very positive way, so I ask that I be approved for candidacy for that position.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions from any committee members? I would ask the same thing, but I don't want to go through all that.
MR. COTE: Yes, sir. If I'm fortunate to be on there, I would definitely look into that, and recommend we do that.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir. Any motions?
REPRESENTATIVE BREELAND: Move for approval.
REPRESENTATIVE BRADY: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: All in favor, signify by saying, Aye.
THE COMMITTEE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir.
MR. COTE: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Jack W. Erter, Jr.
MR. ERTER: Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, I am Jack Erter from Sumter, a lifelong resident of Sumter County, and a 1968 graduate of Clemson. After Clemson, I went on to law school at the University of South Carolina, finished there in 1971, and have been a member of the Lee Law firm in Sumter since 1972 to the present. My field of expertise in law is really a corporate law practice, and in that connection, I've served on many, many boards, or been advisor for many, many boards and commissions. I served on the local school board, and have advised on both profit and non-profit organizations in Sumter County and neighboring counties over the years.

So one of the reasons I've determined that I'd like to offer my candidacy for the Clemson Board is it's really just an extension of what I've been doing, and that is counseling the boards or serving on the boards. I'm fairly well-versed in committee work and those types of things that come up routinely in this sort of environment. I would like to comment on the -- on what you read in the paper about the lawsuit. I guess my take on that, straight-up, would be that I have a lot of confidence in the Clemson president, a whole lot of confidence in the current board, and I would like to see how this plays out in the court, and see how -- what response Clemson makes to these allegations, but I have all the faith in the world that it's going to be something that is favorable to Clemson in the long-run.

But if it weren't favorable, or if there is something that is amiss, I will be -- will not hesitate to take whatever action is necessary, including an outside audit, or whatever was seemed appropriate at the time under the circumstances. I've kind of like the Chairman, I'm suffering under a cough that I can't seem to shake, so I'm not going to try to prolong this too long. I would like to just say that as a graduate of Clemson, and a person that has expressed an ongoing interest in it over the years, I would like you to consider my candidacy, if you see appropriate approval.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Does the committee have any questions? Move for approval?
REPRESENTATIVE LITTLEJOHN: Move for approval.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Representative Littlejohn moves for approval.
REPRESENTATIVE BRADY: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Second by Ms. Brady. All in favor, signify by saying, Aye.
THE COMMITTEE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Nicky McCarter.
MR. MCCARTER: Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is Nicky McCarter. I was born and raised in Clover, South Carolina. I've been in Columbia for 28 years, now, in August. I'm a 1980 graduate of Clemson, presently serve on the Board of Visitors and Continuing Ed Professional Development Board at Clemson. Clemson -- my family background, both sides of my parents are farmers, so I've been involved with Clemson all my life. They have been awfully good to my family because everything we did had something direct with Clemson University.

I presently run -- am the president of Defender Services Corporation here in Columbia, South Carolina. We just started our 50th year in December. We currently work in 28 counties in this state, and 29 -- 28 counties in 29 states in the U.S., and employ 5500 employees. I feel that with this experience, I've been president since 1998.

I worked my way up from a graduate of Clemson as a salesperson, right through this leverage buyout, over the last 20 years. I feel like I have multiple task experience, and operate and work with people, budgets, covenants, all these type things that go with a university entrusting a job. Since we are out of time, I would ask for consideration to be nominated as a candidate for this role.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do any committee members have any questions?
REPRESENTATIVE BRADY: I move for approval.
REPRESENTATIVE BREELAND: Second.
SENATOR KNOTTS: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: All in favor, signify by saying, Aye.
THE COMMITTEE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Neil C. Robinson, Jr.
MR. ROBINSON: Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, my name is Neil Robinson. I'm from Charleston. I'm a graduate of Clemson in 1966, and a graduate of the University of South Carolina Law School in 1974. I currently chair the Practice Group of the Nexen Pruet Law Firm, which has seven offices throughout North and South Carolina. I'm based in Charleston, and my practice is exclusive and limited to real estate development. In that connection, I've been working with Clemson for a number of years on a lot of its real estate holdings, and have helped to acquire additional holdings in the last several years, most notably being the new site in Charleston for the Clemson Architecture Center, which is adjacent to the college in Charleston campus, and I also was able to facilitate bringing together the resources in North Charleston for what is known as the Clemson Restoration Institute.

This property was all donated to Clemson. This was finalized in this past year, and amounted to a gift value, appraised value of 40 million dollars, which is the largest gift ever made to Clemson. I feel that I'm uniquely qualified to serve as a member of the Clemson Board of Trustees by virtue of my background in real estate law because of the vast holdings that Clemson has in real estate, some 30,000 acres.

There's rarely an agenda before the board that doesn't include some significant issues involving the real estate holdings of Clemson. I currently serve on the Clemson University Foundation Board, and I am the appointee of that board to the Pate Foundation in Georgetown County which oversees Clemson's real estate holdings in that county. I'm also a member of the Board of Visitors, and I'm a founding member of the Clemson Real Estate Development Foundation, which helps the new Master's degree in real estate development get started at the university several years ago. I've served two terms as president of Clemson Advancement Foundation for Building and Design, and while in that capacity, was able to get the Foundation to agree to audited financial statements, which it did not have until that time, and which it does have now, and was able to help revamp the retirement program of Clemson employees and its foreign locations, notably in Italy, where the rules had changed regarding how our employees were to be treated in that country. We were able to straighten out that for Clemson. I have a great deal of experience dealing with boards, as you heard other candidates mention. I've been on the board for the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition for 20 years, and for the last 10 years have served as the chairman of that exposition, which is the largest single event held in the state of South Carolina, with an economic impact now of about 68 million dollars over a four-day period each year. So in representing Clemson interests and the various positions that I've served there, and representing my law firm and its real estate interests for its numerous clients doing projects in the hundreds of millions, billion of dollar range, as well as my interest -- longtime involvement with public education, I feel that this qualifies me for a position on the board of Clemson, and I would ask that this committee consider favorably endorsing my candidacy for that position.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Questions? None?
SENATOR PEELER: Move to favorable report.
SENATOR KNOTTS: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Senator Peeler moved for favorable report. Senator Knotts, second. All in favor, signify by saying, Aye.
THE COMMITTEE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Steven Strickland.
MR. STRICKLAND: Good morning. My name is Steve Strickland. I'm from Murrells Inlet. I'd like to thank the committee to be here. I'm a graduate of the college of engineering at Clemson University. I'm married to a Clemson CPA, and I've got two kids who have not yet decided their majors because they're nine and thirteen. I'm a licensed professional engineer in South Carolina, and North Carolina, and Georgia. I am president of the Earthworks Group, which is an engineering, architectural, survey, and environmental firm located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

We're celebrating our tenth year of service in the Coastal Carolinas, and I am one of the management positions with the company, having seen the company grow from three employees to fifty, most recently. I'm also the secretary of the Georgetown Pilotage Commission, which we oversee the safe passage of goods and materials into the Port of Georgetown. I'm here today to offer my services to South Carolina and Clemson University, and appreciation for what Clemson University has done for me.

I'm not going to stand here and say that I'm a bigger Clemson fan, or my blood's anymore orange than anyone else here. It goes without saying that every loyal Clemson alumni feels a bond with Clemson that runs deeper than family. I'm here because I feel a responsibility to South Carolina, and to Clemson, and to my children to assist in the governments and guidance of our great institution. Clemson has given me many opportunities, and I'd like the opportunity to give some back.

We've enjoyed our glory days. We've been students, we've graduates, and now, it's time for us to think about the next generation. My children, my grandchildren need to have the same opportunities that I've been given. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions?
SENATOR PEELER: Move for favorable.
SENATOR KNOTTS: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Senator Peeler moves for favorable. Second, Senator Knotts. All in favor, signify by saying, Aye.
THE COMMITTEE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Unanimous. Thank you. Rodney Williams.
MR. WILLIAMS: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is Rodney Williams. I am an '89 graduate of Clemson University. Being a relatively recent graduate of Clemson, I feel like I will have a better understanding of what's going on on campus. One of the things -- one of the main reasons I want to run, or are running for the board, and to be on the trustees, is because we need to make sure Clemson stays Clemson. And, I think, so often in big corporations, big business, which Clemson is, you have a tendency to forget what got you there. And running a business like I run, I have an experience to handle those issues, to make sure that we don't forget what Clemson is, what Clemson means to all of these alumni, all of these alumni that come before us, that'll come after us.

Also, that we maintain the heritage that Clemson has for our kids, and for their kids. I am the CEO of Budweiser of Columbia and Budweiser of Greenville. We are a 150 million dollar company. I would say roughly a hundred -- excuse me, 260 employees. I feel like this would give me an opportunity and experience to help the board deal with legal issues, financial issues, personnel issues, anything that may come our way. I also have a unique perspective in a Clemson family, in that I played football at Clemson. I understand the importance of athletics. I also understand the responsibility of athletics, and that a student athletic has for the university.

So many of the university students, especially out-of-state students, found out about Clemson because of athletics. Student athletes should be held a little higher on the totem pole in responsibility for their actions because they do represent the university in other ways that regular students do not do. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions for Rodney?
SENATOR PEELER: Move in favorable report.
SENATOR KNOTTS: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Senator Peeler moves for favorable report. Senator Knotts, Floyd Breeland, Ms. Brady, and Lanny Littlejohn, second. All in favor signify by saying, Aye.
THE COMMITTEE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay. Did I get everybody? Did I miss anybody?
SENATOR PEELER: Mr. Chairman, I'd like to point out, you all know how I feel towards Clemson University, and as many times as we've screened people over the years as I've served in the Senate, I'm so proud of this group of candidates for this one seat. I've never seen a group more qualified. As a Clemson graduate, I appreciate all of you and your willingness to serve. I look forward to these few days and weeks to come. I appreciate every one of you for offering your services to the university.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: I have to echo that. Looking at the reports for this one seat, there's good caliber people. Good luck to all of you. I want to caution you, now, if you send a letter out telling you've been screened, do not ask for a commitment because you'd be violating the ethics law. We've had some to do that -- sent out a letter asking for a commitment in the same letter and the journal hasn't been printed. So, I caution you do not ask for commitments through a letter. You may contact them and tell them you've been screened, but you will talk to them at a later date -- at that time, you can ask for a commitment.

Please don't do that because somebody on the floor appointed had no opportunity to disregard your application. That's one of the rules of this election committee.

We'll ask you to leave. There's some other business to take care of. Thank you so much for coming. I appreciate you coming out.

On motion of Senator HAWKINS, with unanimous consent, the Senate stood adjourned out of respect to the memory of Ms. Elaine O'Shields Moore of Cowpens, S.C.

At 11:16 A.M., on motion of Senator SETZLER, the Senate adjourned to meet next Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at 12:00 Noon.

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