R. E. “TEDDY” TURNER JR. TO SERVE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA MARITIME FOUNDATION

July 26, 2010

The South Carolina Maritime Foundation Board of Directors has elected its new Chairman, Robert Edward “Teddy” Turner Jr., a passionate member of the board since the Foundation’s inception in August of 2000. Turner will succeed John “Hank” Hofford, President of Bennett Hofford Construction Company, who has served as Chairman of the Board for the past ten years and will remain an active member of the board.

During Hofford’s time as Chairman, the South Carolina Maritime Foundation was successful in building the 140-foot tall ship, Spirit of South Carolina, due to exemplary giving by local residents, businesses and foundations and countless volunteer hours. Since the Spirit of South Carolina’s launch on March 4, 2007, the Foundation has successfully served over 6,000 students through hands-on experiential educational-based programs.

“I’m confident Teddy will flourish as Chairman of the Board and take the Foundation to new heights. His fervor for sailing and education is what has kept him incredibly involved as a board member for the past ten years,” says Hank Hofford. “As a teacher and member of multiple nonprofit boards, Teddy brings to this position the experience and leadership needed to be a success in this role.”

An avid sailor and humanitarian, Teddy Turner of Atlanta, GA is the son of American media mogul and philanthropist, Ted Turner. After graduating from the Citadel in 1985, Turner has had many accomplishments including holding a sailing world record, owning Charleston Boatworks, Inc., serving as a founder of Energy City SC, serving on the boards of the South Carolina Aquarium, Turner Foundation, Inc., Charleston Community Sailing, Inc., St. Mary's College of Maryland, the South Carolina Maritime Foundation and most recently a teacher of economics at Charleston Collegiate School.
    
Turner will lead the Foundation’s educational efforts into shore-based programming utilizing the tall ship, Spirit of South Carolina, in particular the Horizons Afterschool Program.

The South Carolina Maritime Foundation owns and operates the tall ship, Spirit of South Carolina. The Foundation's mission is to create opportunities for life-changing experiences resulting in leaders for tomorrow's communities. Since its first season of programming in 2007, nearly 6,000 students have been served. With the support of local partnerships, the South Carolina Maritime Foundation is able to generate funds to keep these exceptional programs in place. Visit www.scmaritime.org for more information, follow us on Twitter www.Twitter.com/SpiritofSC and become a Facebook fan www.Facebook.com/SpiritofSC.