The Patriots Point Development Authority (PPDA) Board, in conjunction with the Patriots Point Executive Director, is responsible for the long-term planning and day-to-day management of the agency, including the museum and all of its ancillary services. This includes stewardship of over 350 acres of property on Charleston Harbor, much of which is currently under lease for a golf course, a hotel, and a collegiate athletic complex.
The PPDA Board is made up of nine members. Selection of three members of the Board, including its chairman, is at the discretion of the governor; four appointed members are legislatively mandated, appointed by a combination of the Speaker of the House, Senate Pro Tem and Senate Finance Chairman; one member is appointed by The Adjutant General; and the Mayor of the Town of Mount Pleasant serves as an ex-officio member. This Board meets regularly to approve strategic planning initiatives, revisions to development plans and contracts, long-term leases, etc.
- Ray E. Chandler, Chairman
- Wayne Adams, Vice Chairman
- Lin Bennett
- Susan Marlowe
- Lanneau Siegling
- Darwin H. Simpson
- Edwin S. Taylor
- Zeb C. Williams
- Mayor Billy Swails, Ex Officio
Mr. Chandler was born in Darlington, South Carolina in 1946. He graduated from Abbeville High School in 1964, The Citadel in 1968 with a BA in Political Science and obtained a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1971. He served on active duty in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate Generals Corp from 1972-1976. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for trial excellence in The Federal Republic of Germany. During his service years, he prosecuted and defended over 500 cases in four countries. He entered private practice in Manning, South Carolina with Ralph F. Cothran in 1976 and joined Coffey, Cooper and Chandler in 1979. He has engaged in Criminal and Civil trial practice in State and Federal Courts, United States Court of Appeals and Army, Air Force and Naval Court Marshalls. Mr. Chandler has been Peer Rated A Veritus for 18 years. He has served as Chairman of the Clarendon County Cancer Society, as well as, State Speakers Bureau for Cancer Fund Raising. He has served as President of Manning Rotary Club. He is presently Chairman of Patriots Point Development Authority. He was named to the South Carolina Firefighters’ Hall of Fame and was awarded the Order of the Palmetto in 2009. He is the owner and managing partner of Coffey, Chandler, Kent & McKenzie. He is married to Sandra Heise Chandler of Sumter.