2023 Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Legislative and Civic Leadership Awards Dinner

Former representative Gary Clary speaks with Don Gordon, executive director of the Riley Institute

Guests enjoyed a cocktail and social hour before the dinner and awards presentation.

Representative Neal Collins (c)

More than 450 guests attended the event.

Terrance Ford, AT&T Director of Legislative Affairs

2019 Civic Award Winner Nella Barkley (left) speaks with Susan Shi, Furman Board of Trustees member

Betty Farr (l), Secretary Dick Riley’s longtime companion, greets Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter

Senate President Thomas Alexander and Representative Bruce Bannister

Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins (l) and former South Carolina House Speaker Jay Lucas (r) speak with Dan Cooper, 2009 legislative award winner

Secretary Dick Riley with Mary Greene, owner of GreeneGrassroots

South Carolina Senator Mike Reichenbach (c)

Susan DeVenny, President and CEO of Arras Foundation

South Carolina Senate President Thomas Alexander

Former South Carolina Representative Gary Simrill, 2019 Legislative Award winner

Advance Team member Isabella Restrepo encourages attendees to take their seats.

Jill Fuson, Director of the Institute’s Center for Critical Issues, introduces Furman President Elizabeth Davis.

Roland Garland (c), 2023 civic award winner

David Wilkins and his wife, Susan.

Furman University President Elizabeth Davis gives opening remarks.

Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter, 2008 Legislative Award Winner, reflected on “Two Parties, Many Voices: Perspectives on Leadership” alongside House colleague Weston Newton

Representative Weston Newton, 2017 Legislative Award Winner, spoke alongside House colleague Gilda Cobb-Hunter on “Two Parties, Many Voices: Perspectives on Leadership”

Secretary Dick Riley

2019 Civic Award Winner Nella Barkley, presenting civic award to Roland Gardner.

Secretary Dick Riley presents Roland Gardner with the 2023 Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Civic Leadership Award.

2023 Civic Award Winner Roland Gardner thanks friends and family who have supported him over the years

David Wilkins gives accolades to Senate President Thomas Alexander.

Secretary Riley presents the 2023 Legislative Award to winner Thomas Alexander

Riley Institute Advance Team members gather at the dessert reception at the conclusion of the event, which was attended by more than 450 people.

Civic winner Roland Gardner, third from left, led Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Comprehensive Health Services for 41 years before retiring in 2022. Here, he is surrounded by former colleagues, including Dr. Faith Polkey, second from left, current CEO of BJHCHS.

Advance Team members with former astronaut and head of NASA Charles Bolden, 2017 Civic Award Winner.

The Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Legislative and Civic Leadership Awards celebrate principled leaders who help drive sustained social and economic progress in South Carolina.

The 16th Annual Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Legislative and Civic Leadership Awards Dinner

January 10, 2023 | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

with presenting sponsor BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

At our Legislative and Civic Leadership Awards Dinner, state legislators and business and community leaders from across South Carolina gathered to celebrate two exceptional individuals, people who inspire rising leaders by exemplifying what can be achieved through empathy, collaboration, perseverance, and an overriding commitment to the wellbeing of the people of our state. We recognized Senate President Thomas Alexander (Oconee/Pickens), winner of the Riley-Wilkins OneSC Award for Excellence in Legislative Leadership, and Roland Gardner, CEO of Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Comprehensive Health Services (retired) and winner of the Riley-Wilkins OneSC Award for Excellence in Civic Leadership.

Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Award for Excellence in Legislative Leadership

Senate President Thomas Alexander (District 1, Oconee and Pickens County)

Senate President Alexander has served at the Statehouse since 1987, first as a representative until 1994, and then as a senator. Sen. Alexander has advocated for expanded access to both healthcare and broadband throughout the state. In an unprecedented year full of challenges with COVID-19, he has garnered respect from his colleagues as he worked across the aisle to bring folks together to distribute funds where they were most needed.

Riley-Wilkins OneSouthCarolina Award for Excellence in Civic Leadership

Mr. Roland Gardner, CEO, Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Comprehensive Health Services (retired)

Roland Gardner has dedicated his life to improving the lives of residents of the Lowcountry and South Carolina through increased access to quality healthcare. Under Gardner’s leadership, Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Comprehensive Health Services grew from a start-up nonprofit into a multi-million-dollar corporation that spans three counties and serves over 17,000 patients.