Two USC board members won’t run for reelection. Here’s who could take their seats

The University of South Carolina is set to have two new board of trustees members next year.

Toney Lister, an Upstate attorney who has been on the board since 1994, is not seeking reelection for the position, according to a list of candidates published Tuesday. Three candidates have applied to run for his position representing the 7th Judicial District, which includes Spartanburg and Cherokee counties.

Mack Whittle, a retired banker and former board of trustees chairman who has been on the board since 1990, will also not seek reelection. Whittle represented the 13th Judicial District, which includes Greenville and Pickens counties. Three candidates will run for his seat.

Several other currently serving trustees’ seats are up for reelection, but no other candidates are listed. Those trustees who are on track to keep their seats are: Charles Williams (1st Circuit), Dorn Smith (3rd Circuit), Alex English (5th Circuit), John von Lehe (9th Circuit), Thad Westbrook (11th Circuit) and Eddie Floyd (12th Circuit), according to the candidates list.

The majority of USC’s board of trustees members are chosen by state lawmakers. Those who want to run for a seat submit their applications, are vetted by The College and University Trustee Screening Commission — which includes both S.C. House and S.C. Senate members — and are then voted on by the General Assembly. Both of the contested seats will follow this process.

7th Judicial Circuit (term expires June 30, 2026)

• J. Patrick Anderson - Spartanburg
• D. Benjamin Graves - Spartanburg
• Henry “Hank” L. Jolly Jr. - Gaffney

Anderson is Spartanburg native, 2002 USC graduate and attorney who worked as an assistant solicitor for Trey Gowdy, according to his law firm’s web page.

Graves, who graduated from both USC’s honors college and its School of Law, works as a real estate attorney who founded Longbranch Development LLC, according to the company’s website.

Jolly, a Gaffney native who graduated from USC in 1990, works as a dentist in his hometown and previously served as the chair of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, according to his company’s website.

13th judicial circuit (term expires June 30, 2026)

• D. Hollis “Chip” Felkel II - Simpsonville
• C. Brody Glenn - Greenville
• Reid T. Sherard - Greenville

Felkel, who graduated from USC in 1986, is the CEO of the Felkel Group. He previously served as the chair of USC’s board of visitors, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Glenn, a 1998 USC business graduate, is the president of Centennial American Properties, which developed the $350 million mixed-use complex Camperdown in downtown Greenville.

Sherad, who received both his undergraduate and law degrees from USC, is a family court attorney for Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd

This story was originally published November 23, 2021 at 2:09 PM.