Santee-Lynches Council of Governments (COG) Announces New Board Officers

PRESS RELEASE: Aug. 13, 2019

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris McKinney (803-774-1384)

New officers began their two-year term leading the Santee-Lynches COG Board of Directors.

SUMTER, SC – At their bi-monthly meeting in June the Santee-Lynches Council of Governments (COG) board of Directors voted in new officers to serve a two-year term from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021. The officers held their first meeting August 12, 2019. The Santee-Lynches COG Board is comprised of leaders from Bishopville, Camden, Manning, Sumter, Clarendon County, Kershaw County, Lee County, and Sumter County. The board consists of 29-members who are local elected officials, state elected officials and several members-at-large from the community from the four-county region.

The Santee-Lynches COG Board and staff serve the four-county region by working with local governments to bring public and private sector leaders together to proactively identify challenges, develop creative solutions that are mutually beneficial, find and create efficiencies across the region, and set priorities. Examples of this regional collaboration are the expansion of US Highway 521 South to I-95 ($60.3M project), the Camden Truck Route ($31.5M Project), and the adoption of the Central Carolina Scholars Program, which provides the first six semesters of higher education at the region’s Central Carolina Technical College tuition-free. Our four-county region was the first in the state to create and fund such an opportunity, which sought to directly feed the pipeline for existing and new industries and provide opportunities to students regardless of socioeconomic status. The Santee-Lynches COG is also a key organization utilized to administer federal and state grants across the region aimed at improving the quality of the workforce, facilitating community and economic development, and improving the quality of life of our citizens.

The officers are:

Chairman of the Board:

Mrs. Vivian Fleming-McGhaney is the Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction for Specialized Programs for Sumter County School District and is currently a member of the Sumter County Council and is a past chairman of the council. Vivian is married to Rev. Daryl F. McGhaney and has a blended family of three children and six grandchildren.

1st Vice Chairman:

Julia A. Nelson is the executive director for Sumter County First Steps and has served in this capacity for the past 16 years. She is also the mayor of the City of Manning, SC (elected July 2011); president of the Manning Rotary Club; and a board member of Santee-Wateree Regional Transportation Authority. Julia is the proud mother of one son, Nelson.

2nd Vice Chairman:

Mr. Sammie Tucker Jr. is a Navy veteran, former South Carolina State Trooper, and has been an entrepreneur for over 25 years. Currently he is the owneroperator of BeeSafe Academy and currently serves as the Kershaw County Council Vice Chairman. Sammie is the proud father of three children and has four grandchildren.

Secretary/Treasurer:

Mr. James T. McCain Jr. completed a very successful 35-year career in leadership and management positions at UPS. Upon his retirement, he returned home and has been enjoying retirement for over 10 years. Currently he serves as the Sumter County Council Chairman. Jim is also the proud father of three children and has four grandchildren.

About Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments

Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments is a premier organization committed to optimizing our region’s unique strengths for a better tomorrow. Our mission is to deliberately enhance the quality of life and provide opportunities for the advancement of our region. Santee-Lynches serves the counties and cities of Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter. To learn more, visit santeelynchescog.org.

Santee-Lynches COG is a member of the South Carolina Councils of Government (SC COGs). The SC COGs are a network of the 10 regional councils of governments working to positively affect quality of life and economic development in South Carolina. SC COGs serve as an extension of local and county governments to provide technical assistance, secure state and federal dollars to address critical issues, and advocate at a state and national level for economic and quality of life improvements for South Carolina. To learn more, visit sccogs.org or visit santeelynchescog.org.