As we consider how we (individually and collectively through ULI SC and our offices) can do more, do better and yield higher returns, let’s keep this mission central as a driving force in planning for the possibilities.

• How can I and BOUDREAUX be a more impactful leader in the responsible use of land in South Carolina?
• How can I and BOUDREAUX contribute more purposefully to creating and sustaining thriving communities in South Carolina?

Imagine the impact if this mission truly became part of the foundation of our individual and collective work? Mind boggling, I think.

The truth is, South Carolina (and the Carolinas) needs this from us. There has never been a more critical time for us to work together to live this mission.

• Resiliency and climate change are not just coastal issues.
• Transportation infrastructure is not just an interstate and logistics challenge.
• Affordable housing is not just an urban challenge for those living at or below the poverty line.
• Reusing abandoned mills, malls and mid-century buildings is not just a suburban sprawl or brownfields challenge.
• Creating jobs and breathing life into downtowns is not just a Main Street challenge.

There is an urgent need for us, members of ULI, to band together in order to do the best that we can for the future. The Athenian Oath called its citizens to accept and live this challenge.

“We will never bring disgrace on this our City by an act of dishonesty or cowardice. We will fight for the ideals and Sacred Things of the City both alone and with many. We will revere and obey the City’s laws, and will do our best to incite a like reverence and respect in those above us who are prone to annul them or set them at naught. We will strive unceasingly to quicken the public’s sense of civic duty. Thus, in all these ways, we will transmit this City not only, not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.”

To transmit this City greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us… this is what ULI is all about: making our communities better, more beautiful, more sustainable, more prosperous.

Some of us do this by master planning neighborhoods, some by putting together the legal framework for a project, some by putting the deal together for a new development, some by investing capital or lending the money. Some of us do this by designing the buildings or the landscapes that will create memorable places. The fact is: to create and sustain thriving communities takes each of us. This is the beauty of ULI. ULI brings all of us together to learn from each other, to be inspired, to build relationships, and to encourage each of us to do our part for the good of our communities.

In 2020, we will invite ULI SC members to a state-wide gathering to discuss ways to transmit our State greater, more beautiful, more prosperous than it has been transmitted to us. Please think on this and send me your thoughts and how you want to contribute.

2020 will be an exciting time for us.

• We will hire a new full-time staff member to work with Amy, allowing us to continue to improve and expand our state-wide impact.
• We will inaugurate the ULI SC Awards Program in order to recognize those leaders and projects that are advancing the ULI mission.
• We are expanding UrbanPlan into the Midlands and to elected leaders across the state through the Municipal Association of SC.
• We are engaging and growing in Spartanburg and Myrtle Beach.
• We will start planning an amazing 2021 Carolinas meeting in South Carolina.
• We will continue to support and engage our Young Leaders and fuel their expanding membership.

We have accomplished a lot in 2019 (please see the 2019 highlights below) and will continue to excel in 2020 and beyond through your membership, your financial support and the truly dedicated service of our leaders. Please take a moment to peruse the list of our leaders and sponsors and, when you see them, give them a toast or a big thanks for all that they do.

• For those of you who invest in ULI SC, thank you. You fuel our work and our impact across the state.
• For the members of our Management Committee and Governance Committee, thank you for the time, expertise and heart that you give to ULI SC.
• For Amy Barrett, our stellar Executive Director, we are blessed to have you at the helm steering us to a solid and meaningful future. And Robin Hargett, thank you for your dedication to UrbanPlan and being Amy’s right hand.

Please join me in living our ULI mission more fully in 2020. I am truly honored to serve with you.

Irene Dumas Tyson, AICP, Associate AIA
ULI SC District Council Chair

2019 Highlights

• Financial stability
• Record-setting 2019 Carolinas Meeting in Raleigh
• Record-setting 2019 Capital Markets Conference
• Successful UrbanPlan launch – second cohort now at the College of Charleston, Wando High School
• ULI SC Member Scholarships – 7 – increasing our diversity and inclusivity
• Local Government Roundtable (Charleston)
• 700+ members—up from 650 in 2017
• Increase in YLG members (almost double since 2016)
• 20% female members—highest % in Carolinas… let’s keep going!
• 40+ events since July 2018 with over 3,000 attendees
• Great annual sponsorship campaign – raised $185,000+
• Regional Initiative Councils growing, at capacity
• Two National Advisory Services Panels (Greenville, North Charleston)

Management Committee

Jeff Baxter, Chair of Mission Advancement                      Matt Alexander, Treasurer

Todd Haynie, Midlands Regional Vice Chair                     KJ Jacobs, Upstate Regional Vice Chair

Miller Harper, Coastal Regional Vice Chair                       Alex Fraser, Urban Plan Chair

Kerby Teller, Young Leaders Chair                                  Jessica Barton, Inclusivity Chair

Allen Bridgers, Sponsorship Chair                                   Ken Grimes, Capital Markets Chair

Lauren Clever, Myrtle Beach Liaison                               Alex Powell, Upstate Vice Chair-elect

Governance Committee

Robert Morgan, Chair                 Diana Permar                Steve Dudash

Robert Clement                         Andy Gowder                 Tom Hund

Matt Norton                               Bogue Wallin                 Phil Hughes

Joe Pazdan                               Jim Chaffin                    John Knott