Senate committee forwards seven South Carolina Ports Authority nominees after questions about Charleston representation

A Senate Transportation Committee on Oct. 12 advanced seven nominees to the South Carolina Ports Authority to the full South Carolina Senate, voting to forward each with a favorable report after brief confirmation hearings and questions about port operations and regional representation.

The committee heard from initial appointee James Burns and several reappointments and initial appointees, including Mark Bike, Dan Elzey, Barnwell Fishburne, Pamela Lackey, Rob Raine and Chairman William (Bill) Stern. Staff member David Owens conducted the recorded questioning for the committee and Barbara Melvin, CEO and president of the South Carolina Ports Authority, attended and sat with agency senior staff.

Why it matters: The Ports Authority oversees Charleston Harbor and inland-port operations that officials say support a large share of the state’s economy. Several senators pressed nominees about labor relations at Leatherman Terminal, local representation for Charleston and the board’s role in port capacity and economic development.

Most nominees described prior public or private-sector experience they said is relevant to overseeing a multimodal port operation. James Burns, an initial appointee who identified himself as a partner at Nelson Mullins and a Citadel and Navy veteran, said, "I look forward to the opportunity to serve if confirmed" and said he would follow statutory procedures when conflicts arise. Mark Bike, a reappointment, described his long history of public service and said the Dillon inland port was a particular interest. Dan Elzey and Rob Raine said their economic-development and logistics experience shaped their interest. Pamela Lackey emphasized business and government experience and cited the port's statewide economic impact. Barnwell Fishburne said he had worked in local economic development and on transportation bodies. Chairman William Stern — present to answer questions on the authority’s operations — said recent deals and capacity decisions position the port to remain competitive.

Several senators raised questions about representation of Charleston on the Ports Authority. The "Senator from Charleston" repeatedly expressed concern that, with recent appointments and reappointments, the board would for the first time have no member from Charleston and urged nominees to be cognizant of Charleston’s specific congestion and infrastructure impacts. Rob Raine and Barnwell Fishburne, both representing or near Charleston, said they regularly spend time in Charleston and would consider Charleston interests. Fishburne explicitly said he would take on a role to look out for Charleston interests.

Labor and Leatherman Terminal: Senators asked about the June 24, 2024 framework agreement between the ports and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) that reopened Leatherman Terminal and about the Supreme Court decision tied to litigation over the terminal. Several nominees said they had not read the court decision or the full framework agreement; others said they were broadly supportive of the current operating model or deferred to staff and legal counsel. Pamela Lackey and Barnwell Fishburne indicated support for the framework agreement; others said they would learn more if confirmed. Chairman Stern and multiple senators emphasized the port’s economic impact and noted purchases and transactions meant to preserve capacity at Charleston (including a paper-mill site acquisition discussed during the hearing).

Votes at a glance: The committee moved and seconded favorable reports for each nominee and recorded voice votes for all items (committee announcements recorded "the ayes have it"). Specific tally numbers were not provided in the hearing minutes. The committee will forward each name to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation.

- James Burns — initial appointment; motion for favorable report made by the Senator from Pickens; outcome: favorable report forwarded to full Senate.

- Mark Bike — reappointment; motion for favorable report made by the Senator from Florence; outcome: favorable report forwarded to full Senate.

- Dan (Daniel) Elzey — initial appointment; motion for favorable report made by the Senator from Horry (second by the Senator from Richland); outcome: favorable report forwarded to full Senate.

- Barnwell Fishburne — initial appointment; motion for favorable report (mover: Senator from Colloton); outcome: favorable report forwarded to full Senate.

- Pamela Lackey — reappointment; motion and second for favorable report (Senator from Richland among movers); outcome: favorable report forwarded to full Senate.

- Rob (Robert) Raine — initial appointment; motion for favorable report made by a member of the Spartanburg delegation; recorded recusal: the Senator from Charleston noted a recusal from the Raine vote for a stated familial relationship; outcome: favorable report forwarded to full Senate.

- William (Bill) Stern — reappointment as chairman; motion for favorable report made by the Senator from Richland (second by the Senator from Florence); outcome: favorable report forwarded to full Senate.

What the nominees said about conflicts: Nominees repeatedly said they were unaware of personal conflicts of interest tied to the Ports Authority and that, if conflicts arose, they would follow statutory recusal procedures or seek board advice. Several nominees described prior service in the military, state government, or business and to varying degrees noted experience with ports, inland ports, logistics and economic development.

What the committee recorded: The committee recorded general praise for the port executive team and their access to legislators; Chairman Stern and CEO Melvin were thanked for outreach and for recent actions intended to preserve port capacity and partner with local stakeholders in Charleston.

Next steps: Each nominee’s name will be submitted to the full South Carolina Senate with a favorable committee report. The committee did not adopt or change any statutory language during the confirmation process; final appointment requires full-Senate confirmation.