Taking the Helm

PROMOTING HARMONY

ALAN PERRY TAKES THE HELM AS HEAD HEAD ISLAND MAYOR

BY MARK E. LETT | PHOTO SUPPLIED

Listen. Learn. Lead.

It doesn’t take long for three words to surface when talking with the new mayor of Hilton Head Island.

In his first month on the job, Mayor Alan Perry has been busy gathering opinions, vetting information and setting priorities for a four-year term as the town’s chief elected official.

From Day 1 as Hilton Head’s mayor, Perry has shown a preference for the management mantra that leadership is a dialogue, not a monologue.

The 57-year-old, self-described “Islander” faces a full agenda of familiar issues. A Hilton Head resident since his parents relocated the family to the island from Virginia a half-century ago, Perry is well aware of much-debated town issues, from growth and the environment to housing, infrastructure and Lowcountry culture.

To tackle those, Perry said, he promises to draw upon his history on the island, experience gained serving more than three years on the town planning committee and the shared knowledge of citizens, public employees and members of the town council.

Debate and discord are familiar in politics and public service. Perry said he intends to promote “harmony” in advancing a Hilton Head agenda.

“I see harmony as an understanding or ideal that allows us to work together with respect in the goal to achieve happiness,” Perry said at his swearing-in ceremony Dec. 6.

“Over the past couple weeks, I have met with every council person…” he added. “I found that we are pretty much aligned with our desires to protect the character and values of our community. We will not always agree on how we get there, but we will find the best avenue that fits us through constructive conversations.”

The first job, Perry said, is to secure town council approval of an online “dashboard” on the town website to enable residents to easily track the voting records of elected officials.

Beyond that, Perry and the town’s six council members will face decisions that include, among other issues: • A new bridge connecting the island and mainland on U.S. 278; • A housing shortage for critical workers such as firefighters, police and health care employees; • Balancing growth and environmental concerns with projects affecting key areas such as Mitchelville and

Jonesville, the Arts center of Coastal

Carolina and as well as mid-island commercial development.

Perry said he brings a willingness to hear all sides in each issue, adding that he also will be guided by his passion for Hilton Head’s natural beauty, his experience as vice-chair of the planning panel and his career as a mortgage broker serving Hilton Head, Bluffton and the Lowcountry.

He subscribes to much of the philosophy of Charles Fraser, the developer whose leadership helped transform Hilton Head into a world-class destination.

“I favor a Hilton Head where it is green during the day and at night you see the stars,” said Perry, who was seven years old when his family settled in Hilton Head.

A graduate of the Sea Pines Academy (now part of Hilton Head Preparatory), Perry attended Anderson College in the South Carolina Upstate and the College of Charleston.

Self-described as having an “affinity for numbers,” he followed the lead of some friends and entered the mortgage industry. (“It’s great to help people get into their dream home,” Perry said).

He remains a Hilton Head resident, Perry said, because “it’s Paradise.” Perry and his wife, two sons and two stepdaughters live in Hilton Head Plantation.

Perry ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2018, when John McCann was elected. McCann decided not to seek reelection and endorsed Perry, saying the newly elected mayor has “the business skills,” the “personal skills” and “a heart for this island.”

Perry defeated JoAnn Orischak in a Nov. 22 runoff election, held because no candidate won a required 50 percent majority in the general election. Perry received 56 percent of more than 8,600 votes cast.