Our History

1971

Governor West signed an agreement establishing the Santee-Wateree Regional Planning Commission.

Jim Darby hired as the first agency Executive Director.

1971

The second floor of the Sumter County Courthouse selected for the first office.

COG occupied one room with two desks and one phone.

1972

COG moved to the CP&L building on Calhoun St. in Sumter, SC.

1973

Bill Millet replaced Jim Darby as Executive Director.

1979

Ben Griffith replaced Bill Millet as Executive Director. -All operations relocated to North Harvin St in Sumter.

1982

Randy Adams replaced Ben Griffith as Executive Director.

1986

Bob Strother selected as the Interim Executive Director.

1987

Jim Darby returned as Executive Director.

1988

Santee-Wateree Regional Planning Commission obtained Certification of Incorporation to become Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments.

1994

COG staff grew and leadership decided to split staff between two offices located on North Harvin Street and the corner of South Harvin St and Liberty St in Sumter, SC.

1999

COG purchased, renovated, and relocated all operations to the Osteen Davis Building on the corner of Liberty St and Sumter St in Sumter, SC.

2013

Dr. Michael Mikota replaced Jim Darby as Executive Director. 

2014

COG experienced a fire and lots of data and historical documents were lost.

Due to the fire, staff temporarily split between the Comprehensive SC Works Building on Calhoun Street and the Santee Wateree Regional Transportation Authority on Harvin Street.

2015

COG headquarters relocated to the Live Oak Industrial Park in Sumter. This is now referred to as Corporate Way.

Half of staff moved to this location.

The remaining staff continued operations at the Comprehensive SC Works Building. 

2017

Kathy Powell replaced Dr. Mikota becoming acting Interim Executive Director making her the first woman to assume the role in the history of the Council of Governments.

Christopher McKinney replaced Kathy Powell in October as Executive Director.

2022

Areatha Clark became the first African American female to assume the position of Interim Executive Director in January.

                                                                                                                                                                   Dennis Cyphers replaced Areatha Clark in August as Executive Director.