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2 • Men to Watch
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Men to Watch • 3 :HOFRPH WR 7KH 6XPPHUYLOOH -RXUQDO 6FHQH¶V ¿UVW 0HQ WR :DWFK section. This very special publication grew out of the successful Women to :DWFK VHFWLRQ WKDW IRU ¿YH \HDUV KDV JURZQ LQ VL]H DQG UHFRJQLWLRQ DV a premier honor for those who are included. $QG HDFK \HDU DV ZH UHFRJQL]HG ZRPHQ LQ RXU FRPPXQLW\ ZKR JR above and beyond in their professional and personal lives, the public chorus grew louder for us to create a similar honor for men.
Ellen Priest, President & Publisher Judy Watts, Executive Editor Chris Zoeller, Regional Advertising Director Cheryl Cargill, Business Manager Staff Writers: Leslie Cantu, Rob Gantt, Roger Lee, Stefan Rogenmoser, Jim Tatum Advertising Staff: Amanda Bush, Laura Patterson, Erika Stubbs, Sarah Wiggins & Ashley Randall Administrative Assistant: Jan Holloway & Missy Groom
As with Women to Watch, the men featured in these pages were nominated by you, our readers. We were delighted with the number and quality of nominees. (Already we’re looking IRUZDUG WR QH[W \HDU¶V HGLWLRQ DQG WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR SUR¿OH VRPH ZH FRXOGQ¶W LQFOXGH WKLV time.) Our goal was to offer a cross section of men representing a diverse array of professions, lifestyles and community involvement. We accomplished that goal with the involvement of those who made the nominations. In these days of burgeoning media outlets, from TV to podcasts, community journalism is still a unique opportunity for residents to get their local news – and only their local news – from respected veteran journalists. As always, we are here to inform our readers. This time the good news is about people who make our area a better place to live. Judy Watts Executive Editor
Graphic Design: Linda Anderson
Photos by Paul Zoeller
104 E. Doty Ave. - Summerville, SC 29483 843.873.9424 - JournalScene.com
Cover by Julie Downs
Men to Watch is a special publication of the Summeville Journal Scene. Visit us online at JournalScene.com. Summerville Journal Scene publishes Wednesdays & Fridays. To subscribe or advertise, call 843-873-9424.
Congratulations 2012 Men to Watch!
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Table of Contents
4 Joe Thomas • • • • • • 5 Jim Martin • • • • • • • 6 Skip Williams • • • • • • 7 Roland Fulcher • • • • 8 Brad Mallett • • • • • • 9 Brian Mitchum • • • 10 Tony Pope • • • • • • 11 Chris Campeau • • • 12 Robby Robbins • • • 13 Scott Vaughan • • • •
Congratulations Past President Skip Williams and Assistant District Governor Tony Pope from The Summerville Evening Rotary Club
109 Holiday Dr. S’ville 261-2121
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4 • Men to Watch
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Scott Vaughan Playing for love of the game BY JIM TATUM The Journal Scene
cott Vaughan is not one to talk much about what he’s done for youth recreation in Dorchester County. Chat with him a few minutes, though, and one soon sees the man has a lifelong passion for sports – especially football – that he wants to pass on to others. “My whole family is pretty well into sports,” he said. That’s not only true; it may well be a major understatement. He and his brother both played football first in Sertoma then in school; his son, Lewis, played Sertoma football and now is on the Summerville High School Junior Varsity Squad football and baseball team. His daughter, Marie, a Clemson graduate
and now an engineer with BMW, was an All-state SHS varsity volleyball player and his wife teaches and coaches basketball at DuBose Middle School. Vaughan, owner of Vaughan’s General Store in Ridgeville, is currently president of the Summerville Sertoma Club. He has volunteered uncounted hours over the years to help provide recreational opportunities for the youth of Dorchester County, particularly in upper Dorchester County. Vaughan is quick to point out that he is but one of several volunteers, all of whom are dedicated, hardworking, and like him see an important need they want to address. Like many who grew up in Summerville, Vaughan got his start playing football in Sertoma League. In fact, See VAUGHAN Page 9
Paul Zoeller/Journal Scene
Congratulations,
Dr. Fulcher! It is our pleasure to work for such an amazing man, boss and friend. We are so thankful to be a part of your practice and family.
Carolyn, Angela, Brittany, Linda, Denise, Megan, Brittney, Darlene and Jane
Congratulations to all the Men To Watch honorees and a special congrats to the man I love to watch… Tony Pope!
843.261.7766 SJ05-706355
Now Summerville knows what we have known all along…. You're the BEST!
PJ Johnson 2138 Ashley Phosphate Rd, Suite 101 North Charleston, SC 29406 843-553-7272
We love you! SJ07-706323
GC04-706306
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Men to Watch • 5
Joe Thomas Always ready to help BY ROB GANTT The Journal Scene
Paul Zoeller/Journal Scene
o better understand 59-yearold Summerville resident Joe Thomas, a few answers about his upbringing five decades ago in Lexington Park, Md. are key to understanding his kind and generous nature. “My father and my grandfather were the type of men that helped people in the community,” said Thomas, a fervent helper of local people in need and Summerville business owner. “As a kid growing up under Joe Thomas Sr. you knew when he said ‘come on let’s go’ you always knew there was work involved. That’s the way I was brought up.” Thomas remembers days helping nearby residents in Lexington Park fill up cans of water because his father told him he had to. Not all of their elderly neighbors had run-
ning water and it was part of Thomas’ daily chores to make sure they got what they needed. “I would take the tractor, get their cans and fill them up,” said Thomas, now the owner of local business A Limo Bus. “As I got older, I realized I was just like my father. Even right now, somebody calls me and says they need some help, I’m going to help them if I can.” The retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant and family made their home in Summerville in 1986 and he’s been an integral part of changing lives in the Lowcountry ever since. Thomas and wife Bette have three grown children and eight grandchildren. The 6-2, 273 pound figure, labeled a gentle giant by most, is one of the founding members of My Brother’s Keeper of Summerville. They do a lot of their work See THOMAS Page 10
SJ07-706368
6 • Men to Watch
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Jim Martin Doctor delivers service to community BY LESLIE CANTU The Journal Scene
here’s a good chance that more than a few of you reading this were delivered by Dr. James Martin. The Summerville ob/gyn has delivered so many babies in his 30-plus years in medicine that he’s lost track, but he estimates the figure to be between 4,000 and 5,000. Yet every baby is an exciting, special moment, he said. Lots of doctors give up the obstetrics side of ob/gyn as they get older because of the hours and physical demands, said Martin, 60, but he’s not ready to give up being part of God’s miracle on a regular basis. Martin and his wife, Jan, came to the Lowcountry when he attended MUSC. Jan
taught school in Summerville and loved the town, and they knew they wanted to return after Martin completed his residency in Columbia. Martin said he was drawn to ob/gyn because it combined so many facets of medicine. There’s general medicine – because many women use their gynecologist as their primary doctor – there’s obstetrics and there’s surgery. He opened a practice in 1983 near Trident Medical Center and has since worked in nearly every conceivable configuration – a solo practice, a large group practice and even supporting the establishment of the Charleston Birth Place. He best likes working solo practice because he gets to know his patients better. “It makes it very rewarding when that big moment comes,” he said. See MARTIN Page 10
Paul Zoeller/Journal Scene
Congratulations Tony! You are very deserving.Thanks for being a terrific boss and for all of your involvement in the Summerville community. From, Your State Farm Staff
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Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Men to Watch • 7
Skip Williams Passionate civic servant BY ROGER LEE The Journal Scene he Harley Davidson in Skip Williams’ driveway and the model train in his garage don’t paint the entire picture. True, Williams has a healthy sense of adventure and youthful spirit. However, he is also a successful businessman, loving husband and father, and passionate civic servant with a soft spot for impoverished kids. Williams and his wife, Kelly, founded AllCare Living Services, Inc., which provides home health care to seniors and people with disabilities. When they first started the business, he both handled the books for the company and worked as a mechanic at Bosch. Eventually he came on full time and the couple, along with Williams’ brother-in-
law, turned AllCare into a thriving business. Despite the current economy, they have plans to open a third office this year. “I enjoy knowing the backend is taken care of so others can focus on our clients’ needs,” Williams said. “I don’t get to interact with the clients and their families as much as my wife, but I do get to network and hear stories about the impact our caregivers have and that means a lot to me.” AllCare isn’t the first business he had a hand in starting. A few years ago, he and a friend opened their own fence and deck building company. “Things like that are fun,” he said. “I love doing anything with woodwork or building. With construction, at the end of the day you can look at what you have built and that is very rewarding to me. When I was growing up, my family never hired contractors to do things, we always did it ourselves.” See WILLIAMS Page 11
Paul Zoeller/Journal Scene
The Arts Business Civic Coalition (ABCC) would like to congratulate
Brian Mitchum and Robby Robbins for being chosen as one of the inaugural Men to Watch in 2012. You are invited to our Open Meeting for the community on Wed. Feb. 29th at 5pm at Summerville Town Hall in the new Council Chambers where we will present the results of the Feasibility Study for the Civic Center.
843.225.2789 www.ABCCsummerville.org SJ04-706294 GC04-706299
8 • Men to Watch
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Roland Fulcher Smile-maker BY LESLIE CANTU The Journal Scene
oland Fulcher’s grandfather was a preacher. He used to say, “If you’re not making a difference in this world, then you’re just taking up space.” Fulcher, 51, has set about living up to his grandfather’s standards. The Summerville orthodontist supports causes and people near to home and across the globe, but he deflects the compliments he’s received for his work. “I give full credit for all our philanthropy to my wife,” he said. His staff at Lowcountry Orthodontics also deserves credit, he said, because they make it possible for him to pursue activities outside work. Fulcher has practiced orthodontics since Paul Zoeller/Journal Scene
1989 – at first in both Mt. Pleasant and Summerville, then solely in Summerville. He and wife Kristi fell in love with the town, he said. “Even though it’s growing like crazy, it still has a small-town feel,” he said. Working and living in the same town and having his own practice allows him the flexibility to participate in community events, whether it’s coaching his children’s sports teams, appearing in a Flowertown Players production or volunteering at an after-hours dental clinic. One of his favorite groups is the Summerville Rotary Club, where he serves on the board of directors and will be president in 2014. Fulcher has been a Rotarian since 1996. The club’s main focus is eradicating polio, and the disease now exists in only four See FULCHER Page 12
Thank you for your service to our country, community and family.
We all love you very much! SJ07-706288 SJ07-706324
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Men to Watch • 9
Brad Mallett Coffee with a side of compassion and charity BY STEFAN ROGENMOSER The Journal Scene
rad Mallett’s wish came true. He wanted more than a good coffee shop. He wanted a place where all walks of life from the community could gather and network. Mallett owns Coastal Coffee Roasters, where he roasts fresh coffee beans a few times a week. Mallett is constantly improving the little shop and recently added patio tables where business meetings are held or someone can stop by to sip delicious hot or cold coffee while surfing the web with free Wifi. It’s a family-oriented business, where the community is like family, according to Mallett, who has become involved with a number of civic and non-profit groups, often providing coffee.
VAUGHAN from page 4
he says, area high school football coaches can probably thank Sertoma for teaching so many youngsters the rudiments of the game as well as the equally important aspects of teamwork, discipline, camaraderie, and good sportsmanship. “Probably every kid who played high school football in this area played Sertoma football,” he said. Vaughan played JV football for Summerville High School, and he also helped his father coach his younger brother ’s Sertoma League team, he said. Vaughan graduated from Baptist College, now Charleston Southern University, in 1987 and shortly after graduation started working at the store in Ridgeville. He and his wife, Laura, a teacher at DuBose Middle School, lived in Ridgeville for several years, and during that time, they would become involved in a number
His wife Jacki and children Richard, Rachael and Ryan also take part in the business and altruism. Although he’s only lived in Summerville one year, Mallett’s impact is clearly visible. He received the Outstanding First Year Rotarian award from the Summerville Rotary Club. “That blew me away,” Mallet said. “There are so many people that give back more than I do. We’re blessed to be able to give what we can.” Mallett said he’s always given back from the time he lived in a little town in Maine to his time in the service and while living in Germany and Woodstock, N.Y., where he met his wife. “Her family got me involved in the community . . . My mother-in-law is a pillar of the community.” See MALLETT Page 13 Paul Zoeller/Journal Scene
of community activities. They helped start the Ridgeville Cultural Festival and they organized a summer youth program, the Ridgeville Summer Camp, which would benefit hundreds of children from all over rural Dorchester County. “The summer camp kind of came out of the festival committee,” Vaughan said. “We were able to put the summer camp together and get sponsors for it – in fact, the first couple of years we were able to do it for no charge.” The program was popular, at one point serving more than 130 children from the upper Dorchester County area for the summer. Unfortunately, despite community support and help through the Clemson Extension Service, bad economic times and rising expenses made it impossible to sustain, he said. “We were really hoping it would take off, but the funding just wasn’t there,” he said. Vaughan found himself back on the
football field when his son started playing Sertoma football, he said. He joined Sertoma and soon found himself deeply immersed with the football program, as a coach, as an organizer, and now, several years later, as a league commissioner. When the club decided to bring the football program to upper Dorchester County, Vaughan saw an opportunity to meet a need and volunteered. They started with four teams, all made up of players from upper Dorchester County; that program has grown, he said. The upper Dorchester teams practice in Ridgeville and play against teams in Summerville. “It’s kind of ironic – Dorchester County should have one of the best recreation programs in the state, but the county really doesn’t have the resources to support it like, say, Greenville County,” he said. “There just aren’t any organized recreational opportunities in the upper part of the county – and most of the programs
that do exist are run through churches and organizations like Sertoma.” Nonetheless, Vaughan says the Dorchester Districts’ schools, county, towns of Summerville, Lincolnville, and Ridgeville all have been as supportive as possible. All of these towns allow the teams to practice and play on their fields. Area churches and other such organizations have been generous in allowing the teams to use their fields as well, he said. Right now, the two assets most needed in Dorchester County are facilities and volunteers, Vaughan said. “Out of all the volunteers with the football program, none of us have kids playing in the leagues anymore – they’ve all aged out of it,” he said. “It can be tough to get volunteers – it is a commitment of time.” Nonetheless, as long as there are kids who want to play football, Vaughan will continue to work to see that they get that opportunity to play.
10 • Men to Watch
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Brian Mitchum Emphasis on involvement n terms of community involvement, Brian Mitchum puts the pedal to the metal. “Being in the type of business that I’m in, I meet people from all walks of life,” said Mitchum, the vice president of the Summerville Main Branch of First Citizens Bank. “I think my nature is that I’ve tried to be somebody that can help others because of the position that I’m in.” He credits the bank with support of his community endeavors. He feels driven to be a part of the town’s fabric and that explains his involvement with a number of area organizations. He moved here nearly a decade ago from James Island and fell in love with the place.
“I quickly found everybody in Summerville was hospitable and welcoming,” Mitchum said, “and so I decided to make it my home. I’m glad I did.” Mitchum’s hope is to see the downtown area flourish. He would like to see it maintain its Southern charm and the ambience that people who have lived here all their lives remember from decades gone by. “I think Summerville has been able to maintain the charming feel of a small town even though we have experienced tremendous growth over the last 10 years,” Mitchum said. “I want to see it continue to have that small-town charm and feel to it. I love to see the small shops, restaurants and businesses in town succeed. My work with D.R.E.A.M helps that happen.” See MITCHUM Page 13
case may be. If you came to the barber shop, you could always get help.” The group got organized and the benevolence continues today. Thomas said there are about a dozen active members, and they have a common goal. “If you want something to eat, you need clothes or you need a ride, you can come to Matt’s Barber Shop to get some relief,” Thomas said. “Even the Summerville
Police Department finds people around town with no place to go, they bring them to the barber shop.” A common sight on local roadways is Thomas hauling the red trailer he first purchased in 1986 when he was raising hogs. Now, it’s used to carry out the charity work done by Thomas and My Brother’s Keeper. “Matt and I were always together hauling something for somebody,” Thomas said,
“and the group got bigger and bigger. Now whenever somebody calls and says they’ve got some furniture or something else they want to donate to us, all of a sudden you’ll see this F-150 pull up with this red trailer behind it.” My Brother’s Keeper also does some work with DSS and Baum Temple A.M.E. Zion church.
ing attention, he said. As busy as Martin is with his practice, he’s stayed involved in the Summerville community. He serves on the Dorchester County Economic Development Board, helping to attract and retain business and industry in the county. He sits on the boards for the Dorchester Children’s Center and Charleston Southern University and has in the past served on boards for Pinewood Prep and Trident Health. “To me, making whatever contribution I can to help serve others is what’s been the most rewarding,” he said. His faith drives his service, he said, and he tries to follow the Bible’s prescription of “servant leadership.”
His pastor, Joe Wren of Summerville Baptist Church, sees that quality in him. Martin has been “instrumental” in putting on the Lowcountry Singing Christmas Tree each year, Wren said. “His servant’s heart is quite apparent as he takes on roles ranging from actor, singer, financial contributor, to food services director, or even a hard-working cook who serves up a mean dish of shrimp and grits!” Wren wrote. Cooking has always been a pleasure, Martin confesses. In fact, he enjoys it so much that he even went so far as to open a restaurant. Central Grill was open from 2006 to 2008 on Short Central and was an enjoyable, if incredibly time-consuming,
experience. “I have a huge respect for people who own and run a restaurant,” he said. He finally had to close the restaurant because it required so much commitment and, as much fun as it was, his calling remained medicine. Martin said that as long as he enjoys work and remains physically capable, he intends to continue practicing. At the same time, he has two young grandsons by son James, and enjoys spending time with them as they progress through toddlerhood. He has been blessed with his family and his friends, he said. “I’ve really enjoyed being part of the Summerville community,” he said.
BY ROB GANTT The Journal Scene
Paul Zoeller/Journal Scene
THOMAS from page 5
out of Matt’s Barber Shop. “When the bus station was right next door, there was always somebody there who had a problem,” Thomas said. “They either didn’t have money for a ticket or somebody mugged them, or whatever the
MARTIN from page 6
Martin certainly keeps up on the latest treatments and technologies – he was one of the first doctors at Trident Medical Center to be certified on the da Vinci robotic surgery, an advance that has drastically cut down on pain and blood loss for gynecological surgeries. But technology isn’t the be-all and end-all of medicine. “Everybody’s an individual and everybody has to be looked at on an individual level,” he said. Often the patients themselves, or a physical exam, are telling you what’s wrong, if only you’re listening and pay-
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Men to Watch • 11
Tony Pope Passion for family, work, community BY JIM TATUM The Journal Scene ony Pope will probably not volunteer the information, but if you ask him, he will tell you without hesitation that he is truly blessed. A successful businessman, Pope is the owner/agent of Tony Pope State Farm Insurance Agency in Summerville. He is seemingly tireless, running the agency, working with a number of community organizations, all the while making sure he gives his son, Anthony, his utmost attention and quality time. To some, this lifestyle may seem a little rigid – after all, Pope himself will tell you he does not have that much of a “social life.” That’s not to say he’s not a social person.
WILLIAMS from page 7
And Williams is quick to pick up a hammer simply to help others. In 2008, he traveled to Louisiana to help rebuild a house destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. He has also donated his skills for mission trips to Haiti and Honduras. Once a year he joins a group from St. Paul’s Church for a mission trip to Haiti. The group provides medical and dental care to the impoverished residence of the island of LaGonave. Volunteers with the group also work on various construction projects to improve their quality of life and provide fellowship. Among other things, Williams has built school benches, church pews and chalkboards for people on the island. Last year, he helped wire buildings in a village so its inhabitants, with the use of a generator, could have lights for nighttime activities. “It really is eye-opening to see how people there live,” Williams said. “Haiti is the poorest nation in the hemi-
Ask anyone who knows him and that person will likely describe Tony Pope as an engaging, hail-fellow-well-met individual. Indeed, Pope is very visible, very much “out and about,” and whether he knows it or not, he is very well-liked and respected in the Lowcountry. “Being a dad, work, and community service are my hobbies,” he said. “I don’t do a lot that other people do for recreation.” Pope, who has been a single dad for the last decade or so to a son who has autism, spends a lot of time not only being a loving parent but also a dedicated advocate, serving on the boards of such organizations as Children in Crisis, Carolina Autism and most recently, Tri County Autism, as well as the parent advisory board of Dorchester School District 2 for Summerville High School. He has worked with many commuSee POPE Page 12 sphere and the island isn’t as well off as other parts. The kids have really touched my heart. I spend more time playing with them than I do actually constructing anything. It is more a ministry of presence. Many of those people have been on that island all their life so we feel it’s important for them to just know that people from America care about them. We want to be down there and just hang out with them and let them know we love them and will do what we can for them.” When he is in the States and not at work, Williams can often be found lending a hand to civic organizations such as the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and Children in Crisis. Williams is a founding member of the Summerville Evening Rotary Club. In fact, he stepped up to be its first president. “The idea was to not pull Rotarians from the two existing Summerville clubs but to recruit people who weren’t Rotarians,” he said. “I found that inter-
Paul Zoeller/Journal Scene
esting and wanted to be a part of it. We were chartered in 2010 with 26 members and I believe only five of us had prior Rotary experience. It was nice to be a part of bringing some fresh eyes to Rotary and getting some younger people involved. There has been a stereotype for many years that to be in a Rotary Club you have to have grey hair, be a banker and wear a suit and that is just not the case. We have people who fit that stereotype but we also have a lot of members in their 20’s or 30’s.” As president that first year Williams helped the club earn two of Rotary’s most prestigious awards, the District Governor’s Citation and the Presidential Citation. “I guess I get credit for it because I was the president but it is really more the entire club that deserves the credit,” Williams said. “Everyone was gung-ho about joining something new and chipped in to help us reach milestones.” Williams is actively involved with his church and groups that help raise money for people with Alzheimer's. He
sits on the board of directors for the Alzheimer's Respite Kare organization and even agreed to put on his dancing shoes for the “Dancing with the Stars” ARK fundraising event last year. He is also a member of the Law Riders Motorcycle Club and a beer enthusiast. The club is for law enforcement officers, but they allow one associate member for every 10 law enforcement members. As for the beer, he has tried more than 350 brands. He takes pictures of each new one he samples and posts the pictures on his Facebook page. Williams and his wife, Kelly, recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. They have two daughters, Brooke and Megan. It was Kelly, Brooke, and Megan, along with Kelli Yountz, that nominated him for the Men to Watch section. “My dad deserves this because he has always supported me in what I do,” Megan wrote in her nomination letter. “He always makes me do my best and never lets me give up.”
12 • Men to Watch
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Chris Campeau Making Summerville a better place to live BY STEFAN ROGENMOSER The Journal Scene
Paul Zoeller/Journal Scene
FULCHER from page 8
remote areas, Fulcher said. Its next big push will be clean drinking water, he said, relaying the statistics that a person dies every eight seconds in the world because of contaminated drinking water. But Fulcher doesn’t focus solely on problems of faraway nations. He and his wife are licensed foster parents and have fostered two children who were able to return to their families. On an informal basis, the couple took in an entire family for three months to help them get
POPE from page 11
nity and civic organizations, including Bethany United Methodist Church, where he has served on the Board of Trustees twice, the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce, Dorchester County Economic Development Board, Town of Summerville Planning Commission, Charleston Regional Development Alliance and Rotary, for which he is currently Assistant District Governor. He puts in 8-10 hours a day at his office, as
ost Lowcountry residents don’t know that they’ve seen Chris Campeau’s work. The landscape architect decides how everything outside of a structure, aside from the building, will look. That’s everything from sidewalks, grass, trees, parking, gardens, sculptures, retention ponds and drains. Two of his most recognizable designs are the tree-filled outdoor malls at Summerville’s Azalea Square and Town Centre in Mt. Pleasant. Another notable project was the Family Circle Tennis Center on Daniel Island. Campeau designed the landscape for the area of Summerville’s Town Hall plaza ren-
ovations such as the American flags, sidewalks and bluestone paving material. Campeau said businesses can make money in places where people like to gather. “Town Centre’s streets were so well designed people often forgot they were streets . . . people would cut across . . . people weren’t used to that.” Campeau used a tremendous amount of brick and landscaping to make people feel comfortable. “They may not know why, but they like it.” He said his job is to make people feel positive about a place subliminally but he has to be able to put it on paper. His latest big project, which has occupied him for the last three and a half years, is Governor’s Park on Daniel Island, set to open soon. One year went to obtaining permits, See CAMPEAU Page 14
back on their feet. “We went from a family of five to a family of 12 in one day!” Fulcher said. Fulcher’s other passion is scouting. An Eagle Scout, he’s taken on duties with his son’s Cub Scouts pack. Helping his son and other boys through the program has made him more appreciative of the impact his childhood Scoutmaster had on him. “It’s amazing how much more it means to me as an adult,” he said. Fulcher wrote a note to the man’s widow recounting his appreciation after serving as pallbearer at his funeral. He wishes he’d
thought to thank him earlier, but sometimes it takes time before “it fully clicks,” he said. Of course, his job requires a great deal of time and energy. Fulcher loves being an orthodontist. In fact, he even teaches in the orthodontist clinic at MUSC. He loves to see the changes that occur in patients as they develop self-confidence as their smiles improve. Fulcher’s staff, in turn, love to see their boss in action. His staffers collectively nominated him for the Men that Make a Difference honor, calling him a “genuine, caring man and a gifted teacher” and that “we consider it an honor to work alongside him.”
Fulcher’s charitable works extend to his job. His staff said he “is forever purchasing wrapping paper or cookie dough from their local school fundraiser and looks forward to cutting out his patients’ pictures in the local newspaper.” He has also “gifted countless amounts of braces throughout the years and doesn’t want their financial status to determine their smile.” Fulcher said his future plans are to keep working, keep going to his church, Bethany United Methodist Church, and working with its missions, and to enjoy being a husband and a father to his three children, Sarah, Gracie and Hayden.
well as extra hours on weekends. His hard work has paid off– for the past ten years his agency has been named a State Farm Chairman’s Circle agency. His agency has ranked in the top one percent of the some 18,000 State Farm agencies in the country for the last several years. But at the end of the day, his family always comes first, he said. “Tony is a remarkable father to his son,” P.J. Johnson said. “There is no way to capture in words what he has done to help carve out the best life possible for Anthony. Some would call it sacrifice, but having a front row seat the last several years, it is daily acts of unselfish,
pure love between a dad and his special needs son. This alone is why I call Tony Pope a good man.” Johnson admits her bias – she and Pope were married Feb. 25. “Working with my son, to see the things he’s had to overcome to have a normal life – things we take for granted – those things are a real struggle for him,” Pope said. “He is by far who and what I’m most proud of in my life.” Pope is quick and effusive in his praise of those who have supported him along the way, from his staff at the insurance agency, to such friends and role models as Don Nye and Ronnie Givens.
“My team members are absolutely the best,” he said. “They’re the ones who allow me to get out and do community service – I know when I’m not there, everything and everyone is going to be well taken care of. We’re in the business of helping people, and my team is dedicated to that, to taking care of our customers.” Pope said he has always felt compelled to do community service work. “I do try to help out in the community,” he said. “I got involved in things like Rotary to give back to the community. Most of my life I’ve done that – my dad set a good example for that. To me, giving back to the community has always been something you were supposed to do.”
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Men to Watch • 13
Robby Robbins Leads the way at work, home, in community BY ROGER LEE The Journal Scene hether you’re looking for someone to just jam with or someone to help you get out of a jam, Robby Robbins could fit the bill. The attorney has served the people of Dorchester County for more than 20 years. As a prosecutor from 1997–2004, he put dangerous criminals behind bars. Both before and after his work with the solicitor’s office Robbins practiced general law, helping people through courtroom procedures and defending people accused of crimes. “When I was younger, I particularly enjoyed representing people I knew and getting things done for them,” Robbins said. “Now that I’m older, I really enjoy counseling with people.”
He does a lot of criminal defense work and says he enjoys being able to help people get out of a jam. “A lot of times people ask me how I can represent people who are guilty,” he said. “Well, it’s really easy because a lot of times they may be guilty of something, but not guilty of what they are charged with. Plus, there is a reason they are in my office. It often has to do with bad choices or substance abuse problems, things in their lives that lead them to make bad decisions. I get to sit down with them and talk about what got them in the boat that brought them to my office. I represent a lot of young people and being able to mentor them a little and give them some fatherly advice as opposed to just legal advice is very rewarding.” But not all his contributions to the community have been through the legal system. See ROBBINS Page 14 Paul Zoeller/Journal Scene
MALLETT from page 9
Mallett said he surrounds himself with the people he wants to emulate. When a charity asks for help he doesn’t say “no,” but says “how?” Mallett was preparing for opening day at the coffee shop with civil engineer Matt Halter when they came to a stopping point and Halter said he had to go somewhere. Mallett asked where and the answer was the Miracle League, which runs baseball games for disabled children. Mallett decided to donate coffee to parents and players every week.
MITCHUM from page 10
Mitchum is currently a board member and treasurer of the non-profit organization whose aims are to preserve the historic identity of Summerville and promote the feel of community. He is also a board member for the Arts Business Coalition of Summerville/Dorchester County. “Both of those groups work for the down-
Mallett is also involved with The ARK and various schools, including Pattison’s Academy, a Charleston school for disabled children, he said. With the help of the community Mallett raised $1,400 for the Wounded Warrior Project on Veterans Day. “There is no one worthy cause . . . Everything happens for a reason. “It’s easy to give back to your community when you’re surrounded by people who’ve done it for years . . . We’re hoping Coastal Coffee Roasters can be a meeting place where everyone knows their neighbor.” Mallett helps aspiring entrepreneurs by
selling their products in his coffee shop, located at 108 E. Third North St. He sells products from Azalea Olive Oil Company, Peggy Ferguson’s hand-painted glass cups and local barbeque sauce. Mallett is a U.S. Air Force veteran who later worked for a major telecommunications company whose motto was putting the customer first in 1990. He said 20 years later it was obvious the company cared more about shares than customers or employees. He quit and was ready to move to his next venture – roasting coffee. His family visited Summerville in the fall and fell in love. It wasn’t the first
place they looked, he said. By January 2010 the Malletts lived in Summerville. “My wife felt we should have our business in the town we lived in.” The coffee is tasty, robust and even after several cups on an empty stomach it doesn’t leave most people with the caffeine overdrive jitters. The coffee shop is a USDA organic certified factory and supports coffee from the Rain Forest Alliance, which protects rain forests and the living environments of farm workers. “We want to bring the freshest cup of coffee to you. As my wife always says, ‘Life is too short to drink a bad cup of coffee.’”
town area, and the downtown area is my clients, friends, colleagues and other people that love Summerville. That’s the common thread.” Mitchum has also served in volunteer capacities throughout his adult life as part of the church, following in the footsteps of his parents. “I take some inspiration from them,” Mitchum said. “They showed me that was important.”
He was on the finance committee at Bethany United Methodist and is also a board member for the church’s child development center. He is also on the Dorchester County Salvation Army Advisory Board. “I really enjoy meeting people,” Mitchum said. “I enjoy serving on these various boards with people that I might not have known otherwise if it hadn’t been for the opportunity to be a volunteer.” Mitchum is married to his wife of 22
years, Loretta, and they have one son, 10year-old Ellison, and a daughter, 7-year-old Emilee. “My wife Loretta puts up with me spending a lot of time at various meetings and functions on the boards I serve and I really do appreciate her allowing me the time to do that,” Mitchum said. “This is my home and this is where I want my kids to grow up. I want them to have all the great things that are here today, only better.”
14 • Men to Watch
CAMPEAU from page 12
another year to structure and yet another to design. “I try to make places that are memorable and would end up on a post card . . . or a place where you can have your picture made,” Campeau said. “Then we’ve been successful . . . If it’s a park setting it’s a place you’d want to take your kids every Saturday.” Campeau works for Seamon Whiteside and Associates, a land planning and engineering firm in Mt. Pleasant. “I’ve been doing this since 1992 all over the region,” Campeau said. That’s the year he moved to Summerville after living in Thailand, Bermuda and his native Mississippi.
ROBBINS from page 13
Since graduating from the USC School of Law in 1987, Robbins has been active with numerous non-profit organizations. Robbins is a deacon and Sunday School teacher for the Summerville Baptist Church who also plays the drums in the Praise Band and is chairman of the Personnel Committee. He is the 2011-2012 Chair of ABCC Board of Directors and the 1st Circuit Representative to the South Carolina Bar House of Delegates. Robbins is a member of the Dorchester County, South Carolina, and American Bar Associations; South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Summerville Exchange Club; TriCounty Regional Chamber of Commerce; Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber Board of Directors; Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce; Dorchester County Sales Tax Transportation Authority; and CSU Board of Visitors. “My volunteer efforts have been at the core of a larger concerted effort,” Robbins said. “I try to lend my services
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
He has a degree from Mississippi State University and a baccalaureate certificate from Penn State University in Community and Economic Development. Campeau said his preferences are based on his life experiences and keeping local flavor. Summerville is known for cottage houses with black roofs, which is why the Summerville Miracle League (of which he is a founding member) pavilion looks as such. Campeau is spearheading the fourth annual fundraiser for SML, the Southern Foods and BBQ Competition April 21 at The Ponds. Campeau wanted to create an organization to bring public sculpture art to town. He met and worked with Nancyjean Nettles, who started Sculpture in the South, of which he was
a founding member and board member. It was Campeau’s idea to have a sculpture made in the likeness of then mayor Berlin Myers. Campeau has also served on Summerville’s Design Review Board since 2000. He said since he was a child he would think about the best use for land. As a kid he spent time building cities with dirt and added Hot Wheels toy cars. “I still have the Hot Wheels.” He said many of his friends collect vintage cameras or old photos, but he collects old houses. His love of history has led him to his hobby of restoring small, overlooked Summerville houses with redeeming architectural qualities. He discovered small historic homes were being burnt down. “When they started burning houses I started buying
houses to save them.” This fascination began when he learned of Freedman’s cottage, built by a freed slave in Summerville in the 1800s. The Sasportas Lane home remained in the Freedman family until about 10 years ago, when Campeau bought it. Freedman was an African-American doctor after the Civil War, owned a grocery store and was one of the founding trustees of Claflin College, Campeau said. While working under the house Campeau found an old cake recipe that fell through the floorboards. Campeau wants to give the restored 600 – 800 square foot houses to each of his three children after they graduate from college.
to the groups that make a difference.” The quest to get a preforming arts center built in Summerville is currently high on his list of priorities. “We have to build a sense of community,” he said. “You don’t want to live in a place where everyone goes into their home after work and doesn’t come back out until it is time to return to work. What makes Small-town USA great are places where people congregate and see each other and enjoy each other.” Robbins’ wife, Mary Bryce Robbins, likes to give him a hard time about how he is the past president of everything. The attorney has formerly served as the president of the St. George Jaycees, St. George Businessmen’s Club and Summerville Exchange Club as well as the chair of the Tri-County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber Board of Directors. His volunteer work in St. George led to him earning the prestigious Outstanding Young American for Community Service Award from the South Carolina Jaycees in 1996. As a member of the Board of the St. George Development Corporation, he was instrumental in the action to enroll St. George in the S.C. downtown revitalization program. That led to the creation of the Lourie Theatre Corporation.
Robbins is also a former First Circuit Representative to SC Young Lawyers Division and past board member of St. George Development Corporation, TriCounty Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lourie Theatre Corporation, Habitat for Humanity, Children in Crisis, and Charleston Regional Development Alliance. Robbins career in law began in St. George, where he worked with established attorney Jim Bell for 10 years. He has also practiced general law for the state’s largest law firm, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough. Currently, he has his own practice in Summerville. Some of his fondest memories are from his days as a prosecutor. Robbins served as the 1st Circuit Deputy Solicitor representing Dorchester, Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties from 1997 to 2003. He served as the 1st Circuit Solicitor in 2004. “I can honestly say being a deputy solicitor for Walter Bailey was one of the best jobs I’ve ever had,” Robbins said. “Those years were really good and I really learned a lot. He is one of the finest courtroom lawyers I’ve ever seen and he gave me opportunities to try significant cases.” Robbins helped put murderers, rapists and other criminals behind bars. The
solicitor’s office never lost a murder trial he worked on. One of his most well-known accomplishments was the successful prosecution of the Crystal “Cricket” Surrell murder case. “We had a great staff and operation,” Robbins said. “I was able to prosecute some really mean people and put them away. Walter asked me to find the people on the docket who need to go to prison and send them there and that’s what we did.” His success streak began in high school. Robbins was the Valedictorian of the Dorchester Academy Class of 1980. He graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Political Science from USC in 1984 before receiving his Juris Doctor degree from the USC School of Law in 1987. As an athlete, he helped the Dorchester Academy boys’ basketball team earn the school’s first state championship in 1979. He was also a member of the school’s football and baseball teams. His love of sports carried into his adult life when he helped found the Kenny Smith Basketball Camp and Santee Amateur Golf Tournament. He has coached and refereed for the Upward youth basketball program and coaches his church’s senior boys’ basketball team.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Men to Watch • 15
We Congratulate the 2012 Men to Watch! Thank You for all YOU do in our Community.
402 North Main Street Summerville, SC 29483 843-873-2931
Visit us online at www.GreaterSummerville.org to experience our NEW interactive website for yourself!
SJ07-709257
“The Chamber protects and promotes the quality of life in the community, with a specific interest on improving vitality and providing a favorable business climate. We act as the voice of business in our region.”
16 • Men to Watch
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
First Citizens is Proud to Congratulate:
Brian A. Mitchum Vice President – Retail Sales Manager Summerville Main
For being selected as one of the 2012 Men to Watch
Call or stop by today to experience his award-winning customer service and learn about the exciting banking products and services available at First Citizens.
Brian would love an opportunity to be your Banker! 218 South Main St – Behind Town Hall | 875-8553 | brian.mitchum@firstcitizensonline.com Business Banking
Personal Banking
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SJ04-706346