Santee Cooper has selected 13 participants for the 2025-2026 ENVOY class, an outreach and education program that offers a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at the public power utility's operations and responsibilities across South Carolina.
Designed to deepen the understanding of the utility’s work and its impact, ENVOY brings together a select group of community leaders, decision-makers and stakeholders to experience firsthand how Santee Cooper fulfills its mission.
“The ENVOY program is an opportunity to highlight how Santee Cooper supports the wellbeing of our communities and state beyond providing affordable, reliable power,” said Jimmy Staton, Santee Cooper President and CEO.
“As the state’s power and water utility, we have a responsibility to South Carolinians. However, outside of our service territory, few fully understand the scope of what we do every day,” noted Staton. “Through the ENVOY program, we work with local community and business leaders to expand their knowledge and appreciation of Santee Cooper’s impact on the people of South Carolina.”
Experts from across Santee Cooper’s departments contribute to the Envoy participants’ experiences through presentations and tours, offering participants a well-rounded understanding of the company’s operations.
Participants in the program were nominated by members of Santee Cooper’s Board of Directors.
The 2025-2026 ENVOY Participants are:
• Tom Anderson, Tom Anderson Construction
• Jonathan Agner, Councilman, Georgetown City Council
• JB Borden, Board Member, Berkeley County School Board
• Ryan Cooper, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Santee Electric
• Hixon Copp, Executive Director, Williamsburg County Economic Development Board
• Tray Hunter, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, Palmetto Electric
• Donna Lamb, Project Manager, Colleton County Economic Development
• Jay Law, Broker-in-Charge, The Real Estate Firm
• Steve Miller, City Administrator, City of Pendleton
• Katherine O’Neill, Chief Economic Development Officer, One Spartanburg, Inc.
• Rodney Robinson, Director of Public Works, Pickens County
• Stephen Roddey, Vice President of Business Recruitment, Central SC Alliance
• Jay Schwedler, Chief Executive Officer, Sumter County/The Link
As part of the program, participants attend a series of sessions to learn about Santee Cooper’s rich history and the critical infrastructure it maintains, such as dams and dikes, power generation stations and Camp Hall Industrial Park.
ENVOY participants will also gain an understanding of Santee Cooper’s transmission, distribution, the industrial customer base and resource planning. “Hands on” experiences include field visits to the Pinopolis Lock, the Cross Generating Station as well as the Regional Water System on Lake Moultrie.
