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Board Minutes – November 3, 2022

South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium Board of Directors Meeting
S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Conference Room
Charleston, S.C.

Present at the Board Meeting were:

In-Person Attendees

  • Dr. Robert Jones, Chairman – Clemson University

  • Mr. Robert Boyles, Vice Chairman – S.C. Department of Natural Resources

  • Col. Alexander Conyers – South Carolina State University

  • Dr. Geoffrey Scott – University of South Carolina

  • Dr. Peter King – Francis Marion University

  • Dr. Alexander Alekseyenko – Medical University of South Carolina

  • Dr. Sebastian van Delden – College of Charleston

  • Dr. Susan Lovelace – SCSGC

  • Mr. Ryan Bradley – SCSGC

  • Mr. Louis D. Heyward, Sr. – SCSGC

  • Mr. Matthew Gorstein – SCSGC

  • Mrs. Susan Ferris Hill – SCSGC

  • Dr. Brita Jessen – SCSGC

Virtual Attendees

  • Dr. Darrin Zimmerman – The Citadel

  • Mr. Landon Knapp – SCSGC, College of Charleston

  • Ms. E.V. Bell – SCSGC

  • Ms. Emmi Palenbaum – SCSGC

  • Mr. Duncan Williamson – SCSGC, College of Charleston

  • Ms. Katie Finegan – SCSGC, Coastal Carolina University

  • Mrs. Jocelyn Juliano – SCSGC

  • Ms. Ke’Ziyah Williamson – SCSGC

  • Ms. Sarah Pedigo – SCSGC

  • Ms. Morgan Treon – SCSGC

  • Ms. Marlena Davis – SCSGC

Virtual Visitor

  • Ms. Lacy Alison – Program Officer, National Sea Grant College Program

Meeting Minutes

The Fall 2022 meeting of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Board of Directors was held on Thursday, November 3, 2022 in the Conference Room of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium at 287 Meeting Street, Charleston, S.C.

The meeting was called to order at 10:02 a.m., and following the establishment of a quorum, Chairman Jones welcomed all in-person and virtual attendees. In his opening remarks, Dr. Jones noted that this was the first time the Board Meeting had actually been held at the S.C. Sea Grant office. Dr. Jones then noted the uniqueness of the Consortium (eight universities, a state agency, and a federal agency) working together harmoniously and unselfishly to solve the challenges we have with our environment, our economic prosperity, and our culture in the coastal regions of South Carolina. He also stated that S.C. Sea Grant is the trusted entity to accomplish this monumental task, and the Agency is doing an exceptional job with the task at hand. Dr. Jones noted the increasing opportunities of the state colleges and universities to conduct research in cooperation with S.C. Sea Grant, and encouraged even more collaboration between these colleges and S.C. Sea Grant.

Following the opening remarks by Dr. Jones and introduction of meeting attendees, it was moved by Vice Chairman Robert Boyles, and seconded by Dr. Geoffrey Scott, to accept the agenda as modified. It was then moved by Mr. Boyles, and seconded by Dr. Scott, to approve the minutes of the November 29, 2021 Board of Directors meeting as submitted. Both motions carried with unanimous votes.

Business of the Board continued with an overview of S.C. Sea Grant Consortium activities by Executive Director Susan Lovelace. Dr. Lovelace reiterated the Mission of the Agency, the composition of the Consortium staff (including recent hires and separations), and summarized the Agency’s role within the National Sea Grant College program. Dr. Lovelace stated that she views S.C. Sea Grant as an intellectual leader throughout the state, as well as one who serves as a non-advocacy entity for the state. She also stated that Sea Grant is a “neutral broker” working across jurisdictional boundaries (including national projects). It was announced by Dr. Lovelace that the Agency will receive an extra $173,619.00 per year for FY 22-27, and that this is a direct result of the favorable National Site Review in 2019. Dr. Lovelace continued her briefing by summarizing activities of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium within the National Sea Grant Program. Most impressive was the fact that S.C. Sea Grant documented over 107 impacts and accomplishments for FY 21-22. Other highlights mentioned by Dr. Lovelace included:

  • The Agency’s accountability to the State of South Carolina, including the contribution of its various economic impacts to the state;
  • Coastal resilience and environmental initiatives;
  • Robust education and outreach programs;
  • The Agency’s DEI initiatives (providing funding for eight scholarships for minorities participating in the Palmetto Environmental Education Certification program, the launching of the Careers microsite through which over 40 students have been reached, and the committee’s goal of engaging more historically marginalized/underserved communities); and
  • The Agency’s Marine Debris initiatives (four solid proposals have been submitted, all of which involve surrounding communities).

Dr. Lovelace announced the upcoming biennial Request for Proposals and handed out brochures regarding the call for proposals. Dr. Sebastian van Delden asked if Sea Grant would consider hosting a webinar for all interested parties to answer any common questions that may arise regarding proposal submission. Dr. Lovelace responded that the Agency would be looking into hosting a webinar for this purpose.

Lastly, Dr. Lovelace informed the Board of the open positions at S.C. Sea Grant, and agreed to fulfill the request by the Board to provide links for these positions so the information can be disseminated.  

Chairman Jones commended Dr. Lovelace and the entire S.C. Sea Grant staff for the exceptional work they continue to do, and congratulated them on the record-breaking achievement of 107 impacts and accomplishments.

Following the Agency overview by Dr. Lovelace, Assistant Director for Development and Extension Matt Gorstein provided updates on the activities of the Extension Team since the last Board meeting. These included ongoing projects with the town of McClellanville, the Gullah Geechie Seafood Trail project, the Minorities in Aquaculture intern program, the Water Chats series, the S.C. Water Quality Monitoring portal, the Trawl 2 Trash program, Red Snapper research, the Clean Marina program, S.C. Nature-Based Tourism Association, weather and climate resilience initiatives, Working Waterfronts, the S.C. Aquaculture Toolkit, the GIS siting tool, and the upcoming emerging contaminants research program.

Mr. Gorstein also reported on the successful minority internship program during the summer of 2022, which paired S.C. Sea Grant with the Minorities in Aquaculture organization. This program employed three women of color (ranging from undergraduate to Ph.D.) who were paired with three South Carolina oyster farms for paid, hands-on learning experiences. Dr. Geoffrey Scott commended the Consortium on the Minorities in Aquaculture collaboration, and thanked them for affording the opportunity to one of his students.

Speaking on behalf of Research and Fellowships Manager Susannah Sheldon, Dr. Lovelace updated the Board on the Agency’s fellowships, scholarships, and internships programs. This included updates on Knauss fellows Maggie Carson (a student of Dr. Geoffrey Scott) and Chloe VanderMolen, as well as summaries of the Agency’s Margaret A. Davidson Resilience Scholars program, the Kathryn D. Sullivan Earth and Marine Science Fellowship (a Space Grant/Sea Grant collaboration), and the Community Engaged Internship program.

Interdisciplinary Research and Partnerships Lead Brita Jessen reported on new initiatives being undertaken by S.C. Sea Grant, including studies and activities investigating the impacts of sea-level rise in Beaufort County, as well as an upcoming symposium focused on the legal and policy needs to support blue carbon programs.                                                                              

Before providing an update regarding the business and fiscal integrity of the Agency, Dr. Lovelace informed the Board that Assistant Director for Administration Ryan Bradley had successfully completed the rigorous requirements and obligations of the CPM program and was now a Certified Public Manager. Mr. Bradley was congratulated by the members of the Board, after which he summarized the fiscal robustness of the Agency. This included an overview of the budget sources and expenditures, and a summary of the Agency’s cybersecurity package, especially as it related to information and technology.

Chairman Jones noted that the Board has seen the strategy of how S.C. Sea Grant operates, and recommended that they [the Board] vote to approve that budget strategy. This recommendation was put in the form of a motion by Vice Chairman Robert Boyles and seconded by Dr. Peter King. The motion carried unanimously.

Summarizing the Agency’s Strategic Plan, Dr. Lovelace gave key points, and indicated that the Plan would be submitted to the National Sea Grant Office the week following the Board of Directors’ meeting. Chairman Jones stated that he reviewed the Strategic Plan and was quite impressed. He commended the Sea Grant staff for working with the Program Advisory Board to get their input regarding the plan. Dr. Jones also requested that the Board reserve the right to revisit the Strategic Plan discussion at a later date after the members have had a chance to fully review and digest its contents. Dr. Scott suggested that it would be good to review the plan after the new set of proposals have been received so that we can see how it coordinates with and complements the proposals. Mr. Boyles echoed Dr. Jones accolades regarding the Strategic Plan and moved that it be endorsed by the Board. This motion was seconded by Dr. Sebastian van Delden, and was unanimously approved.

In other business, the Board discussed the Consortium’s By-Laws. Recommendations to the By-Laws included adding Francis Marion University as a Consortium member and also including a proviso that the Board’s vice chairman would move into the chairman’s role at the completion of the chair’s tenure.

Following the addition that a proxy vote must be accompanied by written permission from the Board Member being represented, it was moved by Dr. Peter King, and seconded by Dr. Alexander Alekseyenko, to approve the changes and additions to the By-Laws. The motion was unanimously carried, and Dr. Jones stated that he and Dr. Lovelace would delve into the By-Laws further to see if any additional changes need to be made.

The final act of business before the Board convened in Executive Session included Board nominations. Mr. Robert Boyles moved to have Dr. Jones serve another term as chairman. This motion was seconded by both Col. Alexander Conyers and Dr. Geoffrey Scott, and passed unanimously.

Reconvening after the Executive Session, Dr. Jones spoke on behalf of the entire Board and stated that they were impressed with the work of S.C. Sea Grant, and were even more impressed with the Agency’s vision for the future in regards to the coastal resources of South Carolina.

With there being no further business, the motion to adjourn was made by Dr. Peter King, and seconded by Dr. Geoffrey Scott. The motion passed, and the meeting was adjourned at 12:08 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Louis D. Heyward, Sr.
Executive Assistant/Office Manager
S.C. Sea Grant Consortium

Board of Directors