The SC Chamber of Commerce announced today that Ted Pitts, the Chamber’s current President and CEO, will step down near the end of the year to take over as President and CEO of the South Carolina-based Commercial Real Estate Firm, Wilson Kibler. Pitts, who has served in his current capacity at the Chamber since January of 2015, previously worked at Wilson Kibler as a partner from 1999-2010 prior to his service in the Governor’s office, culminating in his position as Governor Haley’s Chief of Staff.   

In the last six years under Pitts’ leadership, the Chamber has made notable progress and seen many major wins for the business community including: 

• Accreditation: The organization has been accredited by the US Chamber with Distinction. The U.S. Chamber accreditation program recognizes excellence in chamber planning and performance. To achieve accreditation, a chamber must demonstrate quality programs, clear organizational procedures, and effective communications by meeting minimum operation and program standards in the areas of governance, program development, government affairs, and technology. 

• Financial: The Chamber is in the strongest financial position in its history. 

• Policy: The SC Chamber helped pass many business-friendly bills and pushed for initiatives that move South Carolina forward including: 

  • DOT reform and infrastructure funding (Roads Bill).

  • Emergency supplementation for the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund to keep tax burdens as low as possible on businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Keeping unions out of SC.

  • Broadband expansion – convened group of stakeholders and providers last summer to push for increased broadband access and adoption throughout the state. 

Pitts has committed to serving in his current role until his replacement is hired and in place, with a target date of the end of the year.  

The Chamber has engaged South Carolina-based recruiting firm, Find Great People LLC (FGP), to conduct a national search for a new president and CEO, in addition to designating a SC Chamber screening committee. All resumes, correspondence, and applications for the position will flow through FGP at chamberCEO@fgp.com 

QUOTES:

SC Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Ted Pitts: "I have loved my time at the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and our work to improve the state's business climate and connect businesses from across the state has been extremely rewarding. I want to thank the Chamber chairs and board members who have always been supportive of me and our work over the years. What has made the SC Chamber's work so great is the people I have gotten to work with, including the state's business leaders, pro-business policymakers and our dedicated staff.  

I am honored that Jeremy Wilson has the confidence in me to lead the company he and Marshall Kibler built. When I left Wilson Kibler Commercial Real Estate ten years ago to go to work for Governor Haley, I always hoped I would return – this is an opportunity of a lifetime.”

Wilson Kibler Commercial Real Estate Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board Jeremy Wilson: “We are excited that Ted Pitts will be the next President and CEO of Wilson Kibler. After 37 years, it is time to turn the company over to the next generation.  Ted was the leader we wanted – he understands the commercial real estate business and more importantly, he understands our company’s culture.”

Colonial Life President and CEO and 2020/21 SC Chamber Board Chair Tim Arnold: “Ted Pitts has been a true leader for South Carolina’s business community and the Chamber is deeply appreciative of his work. Whether leading the charge on sustainable infrastructure funding or pushing for workforce development initiatives, Ted’s commitment to growth and advancement has made a real impact on our state. We congratulate him on his next venture and look forward to continuing to work with him in the future.” 

Spinx CEO and 2019/20 SC Chamber Board Chair Steve Spinks: “Ted is a hard-charger who won’t back away from fighting for the needs of businesses of all scopes and sizes throughout the state. We are lucky to have had him at the helm of the Chamber for the last six years and he will certainly be missed.” 

Nephron Pharmaceuticals CEO and 2018/19 SC Chamber Board Chair Lou Kennedy: “One of the true measures of great leadership is leaving an organization better than you found it. By this measure, Ted Pitts has been a great leader for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. He’s been an unwavering advocate for the business community – a fighter for issues from fixing our roads to comprehensive tax reform to expanding broadband access throughout our state. We are certainly sad to see him leave but have no doubt he will do great things at Wilson Kibler.”