Governor Nikki Haley Announces Finance Advisory Committee
Press release authored by the office of Governor Nikki Haley.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Governor Nikki Haley today announced a statewide finance advisory committee. The committee, made up of thirty-two business leaders from all across South Carolina, will help Gov. Haley prepare for a potential re-election bid.

"South Carolina is blessed to have a governor like Nikki Haley - she's fought for reform, for businesses, and most of all for the people of our great state," said former Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party Katon Dawson. "She is working day in and day out to make our state a better place for every South Carolinian, and I'm proud to stand together with a wonderful group who will work just as hard for her as she has for us."

"Governor Haley has done a tremendous job for South Carolina businesses and families," Charleston businessman Bill Hewitt said. "I'm proud to join so many highly accomplished individuals in our state who are making a strong early commitment to support and help finance Governor Haley's re-election efforts."

"No governor since Carroll Campbell has focused on jobs and economic development the way Nikki Haley has," Spartanburg business leader Barry Wynn said. "We couldn't ask for a better salesperson for our state, and I couldn't be more proud to add my name to the list of folks who are totally committed to our governor and her re-election."

Full Finance Advisory Committee

C. Dan Adams, Greenville. A co-founder, President and CEO of The Capital Corporation, Mr. Adams has over 20 years' experience in finance. He serves as a Director of First National Bank of the South and as President of the South Carolina Investor's Network.

Mike Brenan, Columbia. Mr. Brenan is President of BB&T of South Carolina and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, and served as a member of Sen. Jim DeMint's Finance Leadership team.

Derick Close, Fort Mill. Mr. Close is CEO of Springs Creative Products Group in Rock Hill. A member of Clover-based Huffman Machine Tool's Board of Directors, Close is past president of the South Carolina Manufacturing Alliance and serves on its executive committee.

Ernie Csiszar, Columbia. Mr. Csiszar serves as a Senior Advisor to Bridge Strategy Group's insurance and healthcare practices. Previously, Ernie was the Director of Insurance for South Carolina and is a past president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Leighton Cubbage, Greenville. Co-Founder of Serrus Capital Partners, Mr. Cubbage is the past Chairman of the Board of the Greenville Hospital System, the largest healthcare organization in South Carolina, and currently serves on the boards of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and Greenville First Bank.

Katon Dawson, Columbia. Mr. Dawson served as Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party for seven years. As chairman, Mr. Dawson shattered fundraising records and raised millions of dollars for Republicans. Under his leadership, Republicans took back the governor's office, gained a U.S. Senate seat and picked up two statewide constitutional offices.

Jim Dyke, Charleston. Mr. Dyke is President of JDA Frontline and has served on the boards of American Crossroads, BB&T Charleston Wine and Food Festival, the College of Charleston Communications Advisory Council, the USO World Board of Governors and the Charleston Habitat for Humanity.

Dave Ellison, Greenville. Mr. Ellison, a wealth management advisor with Northwestern Mutual, is a member and former chair of the Furman University Board of Trustees, and currently serves as Chairman of the South Carolina Club for Growth.

John Ferguson, Charleston. Mr. Ferguson is a partner in the Charlotte-based Carolina Restaurant Group and co-owner of Hubee D's Restaurant with locations in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Dr. Eddie Floyd, Florence. Dr. Floyd, a surgeon and a former chairman of the USC Board of Trustees, was one of President George W. Bush's top fundraisers in 2000 and co-chaired the president's South Carolina re-election effort in 2004. Dr. Floyd served on the Graham for Senate Finance Committee in 2002, DeMint for Senate Finance Team in 2004 and co-chaired the Sanford for Governor Finance Committee in 2006.

Karen Floyd, Spartanburg. A former chair of the Spartanburg County Council and the founder and CEO of the Palladian Group, Mrs. Floyd made history when she became the first woman elected South Carolina Republican Party Chairman in 2009 and led the party to historic victories during the 2010 elections, including winning every statewide constitutional office. Mrs. Floyd has raised millions of dollars for Republicans.

Bill Hewitt, Charleston. Mr. Hewitt is Chairman of the Board of Polymer Group, Inc. He was the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Union Corporation prior to its sale to Outsourcing Solutions, Inc. Prior to joining Union Corporation, Hewitt was a founding partner and Executive Vice President of First Manhattan Consulting Group. Mr. Hewitt served as a finance leader for Sen. Jim DeMint and Gov. Mark Sanford.

Jim Hudson, Columbia. Mr. Hudson owns and operates eight auto dealerships throughout South Carolina. He has served as President of the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association and as Chairman of the American International Automobile Dealers Association.

Mikee Johnson, Orangeburg. Mr. Johnson is President and CEO of Cox Industries and serves on the boards of directors for the Orangeburg Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America-Indian Waters Council, United Way, March of Dimes, and the Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association.

Don Leonard, Myrtle Beach. Mr. Leonard is President of Leonard, Call & Associate and serves on the Wake Forest University Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors of the National Bank of South Carolina, the Board of Trustees of the Grand Strand Regional Medical Center and the Board of Trustees of Brookgreen Gardens. Mr. Leonard was one of President George W. Bush's top fundraisers in South Carolina and has served on Sen. Lindsey Graham's finance leadership team.

Leighton Lord, Columbia. Mr. Lord is an attorney and former chairman of Nexsen Pruet, LLC, one of South Carolina's largest law firms. He focuses his law practice on economic development and was Boeing's legal team leader in the deal that brought the company to South Carolina.

Ted O. McGee, Jr., Lexington. Mr. McGee is President of McGee Real Estate, a former President of the West Metro Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce, and a former board member of the Columbia Airport Commission. He was a key member of Gov. Haley's 2010 finance leadership team.

Pat McKinney, Charleston. Mr. McKinney has spent his entire business career involved in the development of upscale communities along coastal South Carolina. Since 1988, he has been a partner in Kiawah Development Partners, the master developer of Kiawah Island. Mr. McKinney is a former member of the Furman University Board of Trustees, and was a key member of Gov. Haley's 2010 finance team.

Foster McKissick III, Greenville. Mr. McKissick is the President of Fairway Ford Lincoln, one of the largest auto dealers in the Upstate. Currently, he serves as Chairman of The Citadel Brigadier Foundation Board of Directors.

Smyth McKissick, Greenville. Mr. McKissick is the Chairman & CEO of Alice Manufacturing Company in Easley and a trustee of Clemson University, Co-Chair of the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition, and an independent Director of the Peoples Bancorp Inc. He is a past Chairman of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance and a past Chairman of the National Council of Textile Organizations. Mr. McKissick has served as a key fundraiser for Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Ed McMullen, Columbia. Mr. McMullen is President of McMullen Public Affairs, and former President of the South Carolina Policy Council.

Steve Mudge, Greenville. A co-founder of Serrus Capital Partners, Mr. Mudge has served in corporate leadership roles include serving as EVP of Mixed Use Development for Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and as VP of Planning and Development for Centex Destination Properties.

Beth Myers, Boston. Ms. Myers has a long history of involvement in public issues and campaigns. Most recently, she was Senior Advisor to Governor Mitt Romney's presidential race and before that served as his Campaign Manager in 2008 and as Chief of Staff through all four years of the Romney governorship.

Norman Pullium, Spartanburg. Mr. Pulliam was President of Pulliam Investment from 1970 to 1999 when he was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors, and now serves as Chairman Emeritus. He served for 12 years as Chairman of the South Carolina Manufactured Housing Board and is a past member of the Board of Visitors of Clemson University.

Senator Greg Ryberg, Aiken. Mr. Ryberg represented Aiken in the South Carolina State Senate for 20 years and served as Chairman of the Senate's Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee. A graduate of Marquette University and member of Gov. Mitt Romney's fundraising team, Mr. Ryberg was Chief Executive Officer of REI, Inc.

O.L. Thompson, Charleston. Mr. Thompson is CEO of O.L. Thompson Construction Company, one of the largest contracting firms in South Carolina. Mr. Thompson was a key member of finance teams for Sen. Jim DeMint and Gov. Mark Sanford.

David Tigges, Beaufort. Mr. Tigges is the managing shareholder and CEO of the McNair Law Firm. He is Chairman of the Lowcountry Economic Alliance, former Chairman of the Board of the the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Heritage Classic Foundation.

Don Tomlin, Columbia. Mr. Tomlin is president of Tomlin & Company, Inc., an investment banking firm, and one of the most prominent real estate developers in the midlands. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina's Moore School of Business, is a Senior Advisor to the Liberty Fellowship, and was a member of Sen. Jim DeMint's finance team.

Bhavna Maker Vasudeva, Columbia. Mrs. Vasudeva is married to Dr. Raj Vasudeva and active in her community. Mrs. Vasudeva was a key member of Gov. Haley's 2010 finance team.

Chad Walldorf, Charleston. Mr. Walldorf is the co-founder of Sticky Fingers and was named a 2004 Ernst and Young "Entrepreneur of the Year" for the Carolinas. He and his partners sold the company in 2006 after growing it to include restaurants in five states and a national line of barbecue sauces. Walldorf served in the Reagan White House's Office of Political Affairs and for two years as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Mark Sanford.

Ambassador David Wilkins, Greenville. Ambassador Wilkins is a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP. Wilkins was nominated by President George W. Bush to become the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, serving from June 2005 to January 2009. A former speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives for 11 years, Wilkins now serves as Chairman of the Clemson University Board of Trustees.

Barry Wynn, Spartanburg. A former Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party and fundraiser for President George H.W. Bush, President George W. Bush, and Sen. Jim DeMint. Mr. Wynn's history in the investment business spans over 35 years and includes a wide variety of investment and retirement planning experience. Before becoming President of Colonial Trust in 1992, Mr. Wynn served as First Vice President at The Robinson-Humphrey Company, where he designed investment policy statements and conducted manager search studies.

David J. Tigges, Managing Shareholder
McNair Law Firm, P.A.
1221 Main Street, Suite 1800
Columbia, South Carolina 29201