Caucus Leadership

Robert W. "Bobby" Harrell Jr.
Speaker of the House

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District 114
Charleston & Dorchester counties

Speaker of the House


Businessman; residing at 1625 Bull Creek Lane, Charleston; b. Mar. 7, 1956 in Orangeburg; s. Robert W., Sr. and Charlotte (Davis) Harrell; g. Univ. of S.C., B.S., 1978; July 21, 1979 m. Cathy Smith, 2 children, Trey and Charlotte; Chm., Freshman Caucus, 1993; House Majority Leader, 1997-99; Chm., Ways & Means Com., 1999-2005; prev. serv. in House 1993-08; elected Speaker June 2, 2005, assuming office June 21, 2005; re-elected Dec. 5, 2006; serving continuously since.

Harry F. Cato
Speaker Pro Tempore

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District 17
Greenville County

Speaker Pro Tempore

Committee Assignment:
Operations and Management, Ex. Officio


Businessman, Mgr., Cato Transportation Supply, Inc.; residing in Travelers Rest; b. May 22, 1958 in Greenville; s. Lloyd R., Sr. and Christine B. Cato; g. Clemson Univ., B.S., 1980, Dean's List, 1978-80; June 17, 2005 m. Kris Thompson, 4 children, James Franklin Cato, Christopher Michael Cato, Erin Elizabeth Thompson, and Robin Michelle Thompson; Outstanding Young Men in America, 1988; mem.: Travelers Rest City Council, 1986-90; Mayor Pro Tempore, 1988-90; Bd. of Dirs., Bank of Travelers Rest; Eagle Scout; Chm., Sanctuary Bldg. Com., Travelers Rest United Methodist Church; Northern Greenville Co. Food Crisis Ministry Bd., 1988-90, Chm., 1990; Appreciation Award, Slater-Marietta Health & Human Servs., 1996; Guardian of Small Bus., 1996, 1998, and 2000; Natl. Fed. of Independent Bus.; Legislator of the Year, Manufactured Housing Inst. of S.C., 1997; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Optometric Assn., 1997; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Assn. of Realtors, 1997; North Greenville Hosp. Adv. Council, 1996-02; Legis. Award, S.C. Counseling Assn., 1998; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Assn. of Automobile Ins. Agents, 1999; Amer. Legion Outstanding Serv. Award, 2000; Legislator of the Year, Natl. Assn. of Social Workers, 2001; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Mortgage Brokers Assn., 2001; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Assn. of Premium Serv. Cos., 2001; Outstanding Achievement Award, S.C. Chap. of IAPES, 2001; "Champion of Housing Award", Home Builders Assns. of Greenville and S.C., 2003, 2005; "Friend of the Little Man" Award, Assn. of S.C. Claimant Attys. for Worker's Compensation, 2003; S.C. Chamber Public Servant of the Year, 2004; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Chap. of the Appraisal Inst., 2005; Furman Univ. Adv. Council, 2005-; NAMI Mental Illness Champion Award, 2006; "Defender of Mfg.", S.C. Manufacturers Alliance, 2006; YMCA of Greenville Outstanding Voluteer, 2006; Chm., Labor, Commerce & Industry Com., 1994-; mem., North Greenville Family YMCA Bd. of Dirs., 2002-, Chm., 2004, 2007; prev. serv. in House 1991-08.

Kenneth A. "Kenny" Bingham
Majority Leader

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District 89
Lexington County

Majority Leader

Committee Assignment:
Ways and Means


Civil Engineer/Owner, Amer. Engineering Consultants, Inc.; residing at 712 Moss Creek Dr., Cayce; b. Aug. 3, 1962 in Cayce; s. William Harold, Sr. and Marylynn Bingham; g. Univ. of S.C., B.S., 1984; June 14, 1986 m. Jennie Lynn Pearce, 2 children, Kayla McKenzie and Kellie Nicole; mem.: City of Cayce Planning Comm., 1994-96; Lexington School Dist. Two Bd. of Trustees, 1996-00, Chm., 1998-00; Deacon, Trinity Baptist Church; prev. serv. in House 2001-08.

Bruce W. Bannister
Assistant Majority Leader

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District 24
Greenville County

Assistant Majority Leader

Committee Assignment:
Judiciary


Atty.; residing at 4 Montrose Dr., Greenville; b. July 21, 1972 in Greenville; s. Oscar W. and Kate Wofford Bannister; g. Davidson Coll., B.A., 1995; Univ. of S.C., J.D., 1998; June 14, 1997 m. Mary Margaret Adams, 3 children, Bruce W., Jr., Benjamin A., and Margaret Kate "Molly Kate"; managing partner, Bannister and Wyatt, LLC; Greenville Co. Bar; mem.: Greenville's Best and Brightest Under 35, 2007; Leadership Greenville Class XXVI; Order of Wig and Robe, Univ. of S.C., 1998; mem., Christ Church of Greenville; prev. serv. in House Oct. 4, 2005-08.

Tracy R. Edge
Finance Chairman

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District 104
Horry County

Finance Chairman

Committee Assignment:
Ways and Means


managing partner Edge Holdings, LLC; VP, Burroughs and Chapin Corp.; residing at 1423 Edge Dr., N. Myrtle Beach; b. Mar. 28, 1967 in Myrtle Beach; s. Robert L. and Nettie S. Edge; g. Univ. of S.C., B.A., 1989; W. Va. Univ., M.S., 1991; Dec. 17, 1994 m. Melissa Renee Pierce, 2 children, Hannah and Pierce; N. Myrtle Beach City Council, 1994-96; Past Chair of School Improvement Council for Academy of Arts, Science, and Technology; former mem.: N. Myrtle Beach Jaycees; N. Myrtle Beach Rotary Club; mem.: Adv. Bd., Natl. Bank of S.C.; S.C. Hall of Fame Bd.; Del., Rep. Natl. Convention, 2000, 2004; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Assn. of Realtors, 1999, 2003; Legislator of the Year, Manufactured Housing Inst., 2001; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Landowners Assn., 2004; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Pharmacy Assn., 2005; Legislator of the Year, Behavioral Health Servs. Assn. of S.C., 2005; Legislator of the Year, Homebuilder Assn. of S.C., 2005; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Emergency Med. Assn., 2005, 2006; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Assn. of Taxpayers, "Friend of the Taxpayer" Award, 2006; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Med. Assn., 2006; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Chiropractic Assn., 2006; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Voc. Rehab. Assn., 2006; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Disabilities and Special Needs Assn., 2006; Legislator of the Year, Affordable Housing Coalition of S.C., 2006; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Dental Assn., 2006; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Special Olympics, 2007; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Primary Health Care Assn., 2007; Ways & Means Com., 2002-; First Baptist Church of N. Myrtle Beach; prev. serv. in House 1996-08.

William G. "Bill" Herbkersman
Majority Whip

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District 118
Beaufort County

Majority Whip

Committee Assignment:
Ways and Means


Eco-Developer/ Redeveloper; residing at 151 Gascoigne Bluff, Bluffton; b. June 30, 1958 in Bedford, Ohio; s. Donald and Kate Herbkersman; attended Univ. of S.C.; g. Jefferson Inst., 1988; Nov. 29, 1986 m. Mary Margaret Kinzer, 2 children, Shelby and Cole; Chm., Syndicated Investments; Founding mem.: Bluffton YMCA; CEO, Marina Front Dev.; Bluffton Rotary; Friends of the River; Southern Beaufort Co. Com. Assn.; Bluffton Rep. Club; Knights of Columbus; Friends of the Library; Airplane Owners and Pilots Assn.; Beaufort Co. Rep. Club; Majority Whip; Majority Caucus Fin. Com.; Bd. of Advisors, S.C. Bank & Trust; Rules Com.; CEO Apex Land; Ancient Order of Hibernian; mem., Calhoun St. Properties; Chm., Caucus Communications; Gov. Council on Global Warming; mem., NRA; prev. serv. in House 2003-08.

G. Murrell Smith, Jr.
Floor Leader

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District 67
Clarendon & Sumter counties

Floor Leader

Committee Assignment:
Judiciary


Atty.; residing at 123 Conyers St., Sumter; b. May 15, 1968 in Florence; s. G. Murrell and Jody Hill Smith; g. Wofford Coll., B.A., 1990; Univ. of S.C. School of Law, J.D., 1993; Oct. 16, 2004 m. Macaulay W.; Young, Young & Reiter, 1993-98; part-time Asst. Public Defender, 1995-98; Partner, Lee, Erter, Wilson, James, Holler & Smith, LLC, 1998-; owner, Reliable Med. Equipment; owner, Wild Wing Caf�; mem.: Jud. Com., 2001-, 1st VC, 2002-04; Criminal Laws Subcom. Chm., 2005-; Comm. of Indigent Defense, 2005-; Sumter Co. Public Defender Corp. Bd., 1998-, Chm., 2005-; Wofford Alumni Exec. Com., 2003-05; S.C. Bar Assn.; Sumter Co. Bar Assn.; Sumter Gallery of Art Bd., 2003-05; Sumter Palmetto Rotary Club, 1994-; Wilson Hall Alumni of the Year, 2003; Legislator of the Year Victim's Assistance Network, 2005; mem., Trinity United Methodist Church; prev. serv. in House 2001-08.

James H. Merrill
Floor Leader

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District 99
Berkeley & Charleston counties

Floor Leader

Committee Assignment:
Ways & Means


Public Relations Consultant, Geechie Communications; residing at 2401 Daniel Island Dr., Daniel Island; b. Jan. 15, 1967 in Pensacola, Fla.; s. James H. and Annette McGregor Merrill; g. Univ. of S.C., B.A., 1989, M.P.A., 1992; Aug. 29, 1992 m. Noel Marie Gaillard, 3 children, Delaney Marie, Haley McGregor, and Darby Lee; Press Secy. for Congressman Floyd Spence, 1989-92; Political Dir., S.C. Rep. Party, 1992-98; Dist. Admin. for Congressman Mark Sanford, 1994; Owner, Geechie Communications, 1994-; mem., Univ. of S.C. Alumni Assn.; past Pres., Sigma Chi Frat.; S.C. Policy Council; Berkeley Co. Rep. Party; Whip, Majority Caucus; Fin. Com., Majority Leader, 2004; Univ. of S.C. Gamecock Club; Daniel Island Neighborhood Assn.; mem., Stella Maris Catholic Church; prev. serv. in House 2001-08.

Annette D. Young
Floor Leader

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District 99
Charleston & Dorchester counties

Floor Leader

Committee Assignment:
Ways & Means, 1st Vice Chairman
Ethics


Pres., Young Enterprises; residing at 410 Barfield Dr., Summerville; b. June 25, 1952 in Miss.; d. the late Terry W. and the late Alice R. Douglas; g. R. B. Stall High School; Apr. 12, 1975 m. the late Roger Allen Young, 2 children, Robert and Kristina; mem.: Jt. Legis. Com. on Children; VP, Area Comm., Trident Tech. Coll.; VP, PTA, Givhans Elementary School; Order of the Palmetto; Chm., Dorchester Rep. Party, 1988-90; Pres., PTO, Rollings Elementary School, 1987; Givhans School Improvement Council, 1990; Chm., Dorchester Co. Legis. Delegation, 1991-94; Archdale Women's Club Award, 1989; Summerville Breakfast Rotary Club, 1991; Del., Natl. Rep. Convention, 1988; Summerville Chamber of Commerce; Summerville Kiwanis Club, 1991; Dorchester Co. Rep. of the Year, 1986-87; mem.: YMCA Exec. Bd., 1993; Jr. Serv. League, 1992; State House Com., 1995-; 2nd VC, Labor, Commerce & Industry Com., 1995-97; House Majority Leader, 1995; Ways and Means Com., 1998-02, 1st VC, 2006; Ethics Com.; Jt. Bond Review Com., 2001, 1st VC, 2006; Jt. Transportation Review Com.; Dorchester Presbyterian Church; prev. serv. in House 1991-08.

Daniel T. Cooper
Chairman: Ways & Means

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District 10
Anderson County

Committee Assignment:
Ways and Means, Chairman


VP, Capstone Ins. Servs., LLC; residing in Piedmont; g. Clemson Univ., B.S., 1984; Sept. 19, 1992 m. Melissa Shellenbarger, 2 children, Leanne Alexandra and Daniel T. II; Palmetto Boys State, 1978; Winthrop Univ. Model United Nations, 1978-79; Pelzer Lions Club; Planner, Anderson Co. Planning & Dev. Bd., 1984; Planner, S.C. Water Resources Comm. (Strom Thurmond Inst.), 1985-87; past Comdr., SCV Jefferson Davis Camp #7; mem., Hunley Comm.; Southern Small Bus. Assn.; Bd. of Dirs., Freedom Weekend Aloft; Cub Scout Den Leader Pack 13, Blue Ridge Council BSA; Adv. Bd., First Citizens Bank, Easley; Jt. Bond Review Com.; Chm., Ways & Means Com., 2005-; Mt. Airy Baptist Church; prev. serv. in House 1991-08.

Jeffery D. "Jeff" Duncan
Chairman: Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs

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District 15
Laurens County

Committee Assignments:
Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs, Chairman


Real Estate Broker and Auctioneer; residing in Laurens; b. 1966; s. John T. and Dianne M. Duncan; g. Clemson Univ., B.A., 1988; m. Melody Ann Hodges, 3 children, Graham, John Philip, and Parker; mem.: Laurens Co. Chamber of Commerce Bd., 2002-07; Piedmont Wilderness Inst. Bd., 2001-06; Joanna Lions Club, 2004; S.C. Waterfowl Assn. Bd., 1997-02; Piedmont Tech. Bd. of Visitors, 1992; Leadership Laurens graduate, 1990; Clinton Kiwanis Club, 1989-98; Whitmire Goodfellows, 2005-; Clinton Uptown Dev. Assn. Bd., 1993-97; Clinton Zoning Appeals Bd., 1995-99; Recipient of Palmetto Leadership Award from S.C. Policy Council, 2003; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Recreation and Parks Assn.; NFIB 2006 Guardian of Small Bus. Award; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Wildlife Fed., 2007; VC, Freshman Caucus; past 2nd VC, Agric., Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Com.; Chm., Environmental 1 Subcom.; Deacon, First Baptist Church of Clinton; prev. serv. in House 2003-08.

James H. Harrison
Chairman: Judiciary

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District 75
Richland County

Committee Assignment:
Judiciary, Chairman


Atty.; residing at 198 Preserve Lane, Columbia; b. Apr. 11, 1951 in Greenwood; s. William H. and the late Mary H. Harrison; g. The Citadel, B.A., 1973; Univ. of S.C., J.D., 1976; 2 children, Catherine Salley and Molly Tarrant; July 13, 2006 m. Susan C. Harrison; Gen. Counsel, S.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Comm., 1978-89; mem.: Shandon Presbyterian Church; East Cola. Rotary Club; S.C. and Richland Co. Bar Assns.; Volunteer Guardian ad Litem for Abused and Neglected Children; mil. serv.: USAR, Col. (Ret.); activated for serv. during Operation Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia (1991); Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti (1994); Operation Jt. Endeavor, Bosnia (1996); graduate of the U.S. Army War Coll., 2000; prev. serv. in House Nov. 21, 1989-08.

Lanny F. Littlejohn
Chairman: Operations and Management

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District 33
Spartanburg and Cherokee counties

Committee Assignments:
Operations and Management, Chairman
Ways and Means, 3rd Vice Chairman


Retired Businessman; residing in Pacolet; b. Apr. 30, 1942 in Spartanburg Co.; s. the late George and Shirley Peteus Littlejohn; g. Spartanburg Methodist, 1965; Western Carolina Univ., 1967; Converse Coll., 1970; Aug. 13, 1966 m. Jean Miley, 3 children; Gov.'s At Risk Com.; mem.: State Forestry Comm.; Masonic Lodge 228; Tri-Pacolet Area Chamber of Commerce Bd.; Pacolet Lions Club; S.C. Jaycees; S.C. Barbers' Assn., 1963; Agricultural Com., 1989-90; Spartanburg Co. Recreational Bd.; Chm., Dist. Three Schools; Deacon, Morning Side Baptist Church; Teacher-Coach, Elementary School Principal, 1967-78; Chm., Spartanburg Co. Delegation, 1996-98; Educ. Com., 1994-00; Ways and Means Com., 2001-; private pilot license, 2001; mil. serv.: USA, 1961-65; prev. serv. in House 1989-08.

Phillip D. "Phil" Owens
Chairman: Education and Public Works

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District 5
Pickens County

Committee Assignments:
Education and Public Works, Chairman


Businessman; residing in Easley; b. 1951 in Pickens; s. Fred William and Lillian Parsons Owens; g. Univ. of S.C., B.A., 1973; m. Lynn Catherine Southerland, 2 children, Lori Jill and Kathryn Diana; Bd. mem., Pickens Co. YMCA, 1995-05, Pres., 1997-98, 2007-; First Union/Wachovia Bank Upstate Adv. Bd., 1998-02; Carolina First Bank Adv. Bd., 2002-2007; mem.: Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce, 1993-98, Chm., 1994, 2001-04; Pickens Co. Salvation Army Bd., 1995-98; Easley Econ. Dev. Corp., 1997-00; Pickens Co. Manufacturers Assn., 1996-97; YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, 2000-02; Palmetto Baptist Med. Center Foundation, Bd. mem., 1999-02, 2008-; Rotarian; mem., Clemson United Methodist Church; prev. serv. in House July 2, 2002-08.

William E. "Bill" Sandifer III
Chairman: Labor, Commerce and Industry

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District 2
Pickens & Oconee Counties

Committee Assignment:
Labor, Commerce and Industry, Chairman


Businessman; residing at 112 Cardinal Dr., Seneca; b. Feb. 21, 1945 in Aiken; s. William Edward, Jr. and Frances Harley Sandifer; g. Cincinnati Coll. of Mortuary Science, 1965; Nov. 6, 1981 m. Sandra Prater, 4 children, Wes, Lori, Will, and Jennifer; Pres.: S.C. Funeral Dirs. Assn., 1987; S.C. State Bd. of Funeral Serv., 1983; Seneca Chamber of Commerce, 1978; Chm., Bd. of Dirs.: Oconee Memorial Hosp., 1986-88; Fort Hill Natural Gas Authority, 1994; Hammer and Trowel Award by Home Builders Assn. of S.C., 1998; Natl. Rep. Legislator of the Year, 2000; Bd. of Dirs., Seneca Natl. Bank; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Funeral Dirs. Assn., 2000; Legislator of the Year, S.C. Cemetery Assn., 2002; Legis. Leadership Award, S.C. Tel. Assn., 2002; S.C. Guardian of Small Bus. Award, Natl. Fed. of Independent Bus., 2002; Asst. Majority Leader, 2002-04; Legis. Award by Amer. Legion, Dept. of S.C., 2003; Hall of Fame Award, Seneca Chamber of Commerce, 2004; 2003 Distinguished Serv. Award, Home Builders Assn. of Greenville; mil. serv.: SCARNG, 20 years, retired Maj.; prev. serv. in House 1995-08.

J. Roland Smith
Chairman: Ethics

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District 84
Aiken and Edgefield counties

Committee Assignments:
Ethics Chairman
Ways and Means


Retired Rural Carrier/Minister/ Businessman; residing in Langley; b. Feb. 26, 1933 in Aiken; s. Mae Bel Smith Craig; g. Universal Bible Inst., Alamo, Tenn., D.D.; Continuing Educ., Univ. of S.C.-Aiken and Oral Roberts Univ., Tulsa, Okla.; Mar. 3, 1953 m. Peggy C. Cato, 3 children, Garry R., Todd D., and Caroline M.; Comr., Beech Island Rural Comm. Water Dist., 10 years; Bd. of Educ., Aiken Co., 6 years, VC, 4 years; former mem.: House Agric. and Natural Resources Com.; Labor, Commerce & Industry Com.; Property & Casualty Ins. Subcom.; Labor & Commerce Subcom.; mem.: Ways and Means Com.; Chm., K-12 & Special Schools-ETV; Econ. Dev.; other Taxes Subcoms.; Chm., House Ethics Com.; prev. serv. in House Mar. 7, 1989-08.

W. Brian White
Chairman: Rules

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District 6
Anderson County

Committee Assignments:
Rules, Chairman
Ways and Means


Ins. Agent, Capstone Ins. Servs., LLC; residing at 2500 Edgewood Ave., Anderson; b. July 20, 1967 in Anderson; s. Earl and Sara White; Erskine Coll.; Apr. 17, 1992 m. Courtney Simmons Bell, 2 children, Amelia Grace and Isabelle Faith; Chm., Anderson Co. Legis. Delegation, 2006; Chm., Anderson Area Transportation Study Com. (ANATS), 2006; mem., House Ways & Means Com.; Chm., House Rules Com.; Deacon, Young Memorial Assoc. Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) Church; prev. serv. in House 2001-08.