Edward Carter, a dedicated public servant to Dorchester County, was recognized this month for a special lifetime achievement award handed out by the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce.
Carter received the 2019 Berlin G. Myers Lifetime Achievement Award during the chamber event on Thursday at Middleton Place. The award is named after the former long-time Summerville Mayor Berlin G. Myers.
Jimmy Myers, son of Berlin G. Myers, Sr., was in attendance to present the award in memory of his father.
To be considered for this award, candidates must have demonstrated leadership through their part in a major initiative or project, the Summerville business community, service, civic or charitable organizations, and church, fraternal or religious organizations. The recipient must have also engaged in other major citizenship activities at the local, state or national levels.
Carter’s leadership transcends multiple disciplines where he has made significant contributions, according to Chamber officials. The retired U.S. Air Force veteran served in various military command positions including commander of the 8th Fighter Wing “Wolf Pack” in the Republic of Korea. He has over 4,000 hours of single-seat fighter time and he served two combat tours in Vietnam.
Following retirement from the U.S. Air Force, he served as The Airports Manager, Deputy County Administrator and County Administrator for Dorchester County. He served as president of various local and regional group and civic clubs including the Rotary Club of Summerville, South Carolina Aviation Association, Tri-County Regional Chamber of Commerce, and many others.
Other winners
Miler Properties was named the “Small Business of the Year,” an honor given to a local company with 50 or fewer employees.
2019 Chamber Small Business of the Year Miler Properties (from left) First National Bank of S.C. Senior Vice President Todd Buddin, Miler Properties Broker in Charge Dick Miler, Property Manager in Charge Debbie Miler, Property Manager Adriane Miler Harrington, Realtor Sean Harrington, Summerville Chamber President/CEO Rita Berry, and 2019 Chamber Board Chair Scott Runyon.
Miler Properties is a full-service real estate and property management company, specializing in the selling and listing of residential and commercial real estate; residential rentals, property management and commercial leasing; HOA management and land development.
The Miler family has been offering these professional services for over 45 years, and became Miler Properties, Inc. in 1985. Chamber officials said the company’s vision, goals, and outstanding people is what sets them apart.
Brooks Hearn was named 2019 “Emerging Leader of the Year,” by the chamber.
The Emerging Leader of the Year is a new award category that recognizes a young professional that has given their time and talents to make Summerville and Dorchester County a better place with passion, teamwork and innovative thinking.
2019 Emerging Leader of the Year Brooks Hearn (from left) First National Bank of SC Senior VP Todd Buddin, Brooks Hearn, Summerville Chamber 2019 Board Chair Scott Runyon, and Chamber President/CEO Rita Berry.
Hearn has been a member of the Junior Service League since 2013 and has since held five leadership positions within the organization, including president. Brooks served on the Board of Directors for Sculpture in the South, as a committee member for the Dorchester Children’s Advocacy Center Kitchen Tour since 2015, and as a participant and volunteer in The ARK’s Dancing with the Stars event since 2015.
Hearn is currently serving as Lowcountry Regional Representative for the University of South Carolina’s Young Alumni Council, V.P. of Membership for the S.C. Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, and was recently promoted to Lowcountry Regional Field Director for the Miss South Carolina Pageant. She works as Director of Advancement for Pinewood Preparatory School.
“In everything she does, her leadership capabilities shine,” said Brooks’ nominator and younger sister, Sarah Hearn. “Brooks’ heart is called to serve in any capacity in which she may be needed (and) she truly puts the needs of others above her own without hesitation.”
Don Nye was named 2019 “Volunteer of the Year.”
The Volunteer of the Year Award is given to a Chamber member that has demonstrated exceptional service to our Chamber and has given their time and talents to the betterment of Summerville and Dorchester County.
2019 Chamber Volunteer of the Year Don Nye (from left) First National Bank of SC Senior VP Todd Buddin, Martha Nye, Don Nye, Summerville Chamber 2019 Board Chair Scott Runyon, and Chamber President/CEO Rita Berry.
Nye served as Chamber Board Chair in 2002, a board member for the Charleston Regional Education Foundation and Regional Development Alliance and served as Chair of the Workforce Development Committee. Additionally, he served as President of the Summerville Rotary Club, Assistant District Governor Rotary District 7770, and helped charter the Summerville Evening Rotary Club.
Don serves on the Charleston Southern Board of Visitors and is past Board Chairman for Pinewood Preparatory School. He is a member of Summerville Presbyterian Church where he serves on the Pastoral Care Committee.
Dorchester Two Educational Foundation received the 2019 “Nonprofit of the Year Award.”
Creating and building partnerships to support the advancement of education in the community has been the top priority of the Dorchester Two Educational Foundation. By bridging the funding gap, they are able to support Dorchester District Two (DD2) in producing world-class students who are world ready.
Recognizing the need to find alternate sources for funding, Dorchester District Two and the Board of Trustees established the Dorchester Two Educational Foundation in 2013. The Foundation is a 501©3 non-profit organization that seeks donations and partnerships to support innovative educational opportunities for all students across District Two. Due to Act 388 (owner-occupied homes are exempt from property taxes for school operations), DD2 has been significantly underfunded.
Since its inception, the Foundation is doing its part to help meet the funding needs while also building partnerships in the community to unite business and education.
To date, The Dorchester Two Educational Foundation has raised over $1 Million in support of education in our community. They continue to build partnerships with individuals, community organizations, small businesses to global businesses that all believe in creating opportunities for our students. Their impact is reaching the entire district of 26,000 students.
Dr. Kay Phillips took home the title of “Trailblazer of the Year.”
The Trailblazer of the Year is a new award category this year and recognizes a woman that is a leader in her industry, shows courage and passion, has overcome great obstacles, and has truly blazed a trail for the women behind her.
Phillips has been the executive director of Dorchester Children’s Advocacy Center in Summerville for over 15 years. Under Dr. Phillips’ leadership, DCAC has grown from serving 57 clients in 2004 to serving an average of 1,200 annually and has expanded the DCAC facility by 6,000 square feet.
She has grown the agency from being a single person staff to managing a staff of 24 professional and qualified individuals. Over 12,000 child abuse and neglect victims have been served by DCAC under her leadership. Phillips hosts training and monthly educational opportunities for leaders and other community members to learn about the CAC model and the need for it in our community.
“I cannot think of a better leader and role model for women than Dr. Phillips,” said nominator Faith Muddiman, DCAC Director of Grants Management. “Dr. Phillips is passionate about bettering the lives of abuse and neglect victims, is an incredible business leader, and is deeply committed to the community as a whole. When I think of a strong leader and role model for women, I think of Dr. Kay W. Phillips.”
KION North America received the 2019 Chamber “Large Business of the Year Award.”
KION North America Corporation is a member of the KION Group, one of the world’s two leading manufacturers of industrial trucks and the largest manufacturer of electric forklifts. Their brand companies, Linde and Baoli, serve the specific industrial truck requirements of the U.S., Canadian and Mexican markets with a comprehensive and complementary product portfolio.
Headquartered in Summerville, KION North America produces material handling equipment and solutions known for their innovative technologies, reduced energy consumption and low operating costs.
KION North America is extremely active in the local community and provides almost 250 jobs in Summerville. KION North America works closely with College of Charleston’s German studies program and sponsored the 2019 German Language Fall Retreat.
