BAMBERG, S.C.  – The president and chief executive officer of Santee Cooper, South Carolina’s state-owned utility company, will speak at the Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet on Thursday, Oct. 30.

Lonnie N. Carter, a native of the Bamberg County town of Ehrhardt, was named the company’s eighth CEO on Jan. 26, 2004, by the Santee Cooper Board of Directors. He joined Santee Cooper in 1982 as an employee in the controller’s office. Since that time, Carter has held various positions including manager of corporate forecasting, vice president of corporate forecasting and senior vice president of customer service.

Prior to his appointment as president and CEO, he served as senior vice president of corporate planning and bulk power. In 1997, on loan from Santee Cooper, he was instrumental in founding The Energy Authority in Jacksonville, Fla., serving as its first president and CEO. TEA is a joint power marketing organization comprised of publicly owned utilities.

Carter serves on the boards of Palmetto Economic Development Corporation, The Energy Authority, Colectric Inc., Roper Foundation, American Public Power Association, the S.C. Chamber of Commerce and Thornwell Home & School for Children. He is a member of the board of the Trident United Way, and chaired its 2007 campaign. In addition, Carter is serving as chairman of The Energy Authority.

He is Elder in the First Presbyterian Church in Moncks Corner. Carter received a B.S. degree in business administration in 1982 and a master’s degree in business administration from The Citadel in 1987. In 2005, he received the Distinguished Leadership Award from The Citadel Business Hall of Fame.

Carter is married to Laurie McRee, and they have three children. The Carters reside in Moncks Corner.

Ronny Maxwell, president of the Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce, said he is excited about the opportunity to have one of Bamberg County’s largest business success stories return to the area on behalf of the Chamber.

“I hope the community will come out strong to show their support for Lonnie and to show their support for our 2007 Citizen of the Year who will also be named and recognized that evening,” Maxwell said. “We have five excellent nominees for the award.” Maxwell said all nominees will be recognized.

Nominated this year is Harvey Kling of Bamberg. Kling, known by many in Bamberg as “Mr. Red Cross,” has been cited for revitalizing the Bamberg County Red Cross.

Also nominated is Henry Maynard who has earned the nickname of “Mayor of Midway” for working to get rust-free water in the Midway community of Bamberg.

Another nominee is Robert “Bob” Hurst Jr., president and CEO of Phoenix Specialty Manufacturing Co. Inc. Most recently, Hurst’s family-owned company invested thousands of dollars into two city parks in the county.

Miriam “Mikki” Ehrhardt Murden of Ehrhardt was also nominated for a number of community projects that she has been involved with including raising thousands of dollars for an Ehrhardt cemetery maintenance fund.

Rounding out the list of nominees is Coach David Horton, a popular longtime Bamberg County baseball coach and father figure to many boys and young men.

Banquet tickets are on sale until Oct. 28 at all town halls in the county, chamber businesses and at the Chamber of Commerce office.

For more information, call the Chamber at 803-245-4427.

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