Joel Britt leads terminal operations at SC Ports, bringing a leadership philosophy shaped by his sociology degree from Wofford College and his belief in empowering talented teams. His approach reflects Steve Jobs’ principle; “It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do.”

Britt serves on the Charleston Branch Pilots Commission and was named 2024-2025 Propeller Club of Charleston Maritime Person of the Year. He navigates an industry where uncertainty poses significant challenges to the extensive planning required for customer supply chains and port infrastructure development.

For Britt, success centers on team improvement and process-focused growth. “Whether that’s my team at work or with my own children, it’s about setting goals, focusing on the process, and enjoying the grind,” he said.

His earliest business lesson came from working at a sports apparel shop in high school, where he learned that earning money differs from keeping it. As the son of a preacher, Britt brings values-driven leadership to his role at South Carolina’s vital port operations.

Lance Brown earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management from the University of South Carolina and received his Master of Business Administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in 2016. Brown built his career in financial services, spending more than 12 years at Wells Fargo in progressively senior sales management roles across South Carolina and multiple Southeastern states. He served as a business sales consultant team lead, market sales manager and senior market sales manager.

In 2018, Brown co-founded Swype Fast, a merchant services provider headquartered in Columbia. He became CEO of Rhino Medical Supply in April 2020. The multinational health care product distribution company provides customized solutions for hospitals, health systems, ambulatory surgery centers, acute care facilities and physician offices.

The Spartanburg native serves on the boards of Dreams Imagination & Gift Development Program, Sole Empowerment and Serve & Connect.

Andrea Barnes Garrard serves as Vice President and co-owner of Henry Pak Inc., a family-owned packaging company that has been in business for more than 43 years. With over 32 years at the company, she plays a key role in guiding its continued evolution while expanding sustainable packaging solutions for customers in the personal care and pharmaceutical markets. In an industry where family-owned businesses are increasingly rare, Barnes Garrard is proud to help carry the company forward and remains committed to learning, adapting, and serving the company for many years to come. She believes that long-term success is built by investing in people and fostering an environment where employees are valued and encouraged to grow.
 
Barnes Garrard’s professional journey began at age 15, waiting tables at a local pizza restaurant, where she learned the importance of hard work, financial responsibility, and treating every customer with respect. She attended Anderson University and Furman University before entering management in the hospitality industry, an experience that sharpened her skills in leadership, budgeting, and problem-solving. Those early lessons and a willingness to learn across industries ultimately led her to join the family business.
 
At Henry Pak Inc., she works to maintain the company’s reputation for reliable, responsive service while helping clients bring products to market efficiently and responsibly. She is especially focused on expanding sustainable packaging options and staying open to new ideas that allow the company to evolve alongside customer needs. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Packaging Distributors & Manufacturers, a national trade association, where she continues to learn from peers and contribute to the advancement of the industry.
 
Beyond her professional work, Barnes Garrard is a passionate philanthropist who believes deeply in giving back. She actively supports numerous charitable initiatives and currently serves on the board of Fostering Great Ideas, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children in foster care. Her service reflects a commitment to listening, learning, and making a meaningful impact in the community.
 
As a mom of three boys, Barnes Garrard remains actively involved in her children’s schools and local organizations. She places a strong emphasis on financial literacy and life skills, believing that understanding money, responsibility, and decision-making empowers the next generation. She is intentional about passing those lessons on to her children and to younger professionals she mentors.
 
“For me, success isn’t measured in titles or things,” she says. “It’s about family, integrity, and learning something new every day.”

Charles Scales III has dedicated nearly four decades to building GOS, a distribution and logistics company he has owned and led with unwavering commitment. After graduating from the University of South Carolina in 1979, Scales began his professional journey at WSPA radio, where he learned the value of hard work — a principle that would guide his career.

For 38 years, Scales has grown GOS into a respected distribution and logistics operation serving clients throughout the region with a team of 47 employees. His leadership extends beyond daily operations; Scales is also an innovator, having developed an invention that successfully reached the market.

In an industry marked by intense competition, Scales maintains a clear philosophy that has sustained his success. Reflecting on the best advice he has received, Scales said, “Be better today than yesterday.” This commitment to continuous improvement has been the cornerstone of his enduring tenure and the foundation upon which GOS continues to thrive in South Carolina’s competitive logistics landscape.

William J. Dorminy Jr. earned a Bachelor of Arts in Agricultural Economics with a minor in finance from the University of Tennessee in 1996, where he competed as an NCAA All-American and SEC Championship swimmer. At age six, Dorminy began working in his family’s business, sweeping delivery truck bays.

Since 2005, Dorminy has served as president of Southern Crown Partners, a fourth-generation family business and full-portfolio beverage distributor. Under his leadership, the company has grown from 20 employees in Fitzgerald, Georgia, to 990 employees across Georgia and South Carolina. He brings expertise in logistics and analytics to advance the business.

Dorminy serves on the Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association and South Carolina Beer Wholesalers Association boards, along with several private company boards. In May, Southern Crown Partners acquired KW Beverage, increasing the company’s size by roughly 50 percent.

“When it comes to employees, you know what you have with the ones who already work for you,” Dorminy said.

Outside work, Dorminy enjoys growing flowers and has twice earned “Garden Spot of the Month.”

Loy Stewart Jr. graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point in 1991 with a degree in Marine Engineering. After sailing on the Sealift Atlantic, Stewart began working at Detyens Shipyards as a Ship Superintendent, coordinating work on commercial and navy contracts. In 1996, he was promoted to Profit Center Manager of the Wando facility when the shipyards were divided into separate profit centers.

Stewart became PCM of the Main Yard in North Charleston in 2002 and was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2003. He became company president in October 2004.

In 2010, Stewart and his two younger brothers purchased Detyens Shipyards from their father, becoming the third generation of family ownership. The Charleston-based company operates four drydocks and eight deep water piers, serving government, commercial, shallow draft and blue water sectors. Stewart lives the Detyens Creed: “Customer before Company, Employee before Owner, Family before Self, and Safety Above All.”

Patrick Meek brings extensive digital transformation expertise to his role as drector of business systems at Harsco Rail, an Enviri Company. He relocated from the Mid-Atlantic region to Columbia to take on this position.

At Tate Inc., Meek spearheaded a comprehensive data and digital transformation in under 12 months. He led a team of 13 full-time information systems and data employees plus over 20 contractors through the implementation of ERP upgrades, shop floor tracking systems, CRM modernization and the creation of a data lake house. His operational improvements reduced the Customer Inquiry to Ship Date Confirmation process from 40 days to 12 days. Meek also strengthened data governance principles, ensuring full compliance with local and international laws while maintaining SOX compliance status.

Previously at Allegis Group, Meek managed a team of 47 developers and data scientists, fostering a collaborative culture while driving operational excellence. He demonstrated strong financial stewardship by managing budgets exceeding $8 million annually for internal and external employees and vendors.

Pappy leads Sonfast Corporation, an eight-employee distribution and logistics company. Under his leadership, the company earned recognition as South Carolina’s 36th fastest-growing company in 2025, marking the second time Sonfast has received this distinction after previously ranking among the top 50 in 2021.

Pappy’s entrepreneurial foundation began at age 13 when he started his own landscaping and snow plowing business. “I learned that making money is essential in today’s world and that a dollar earned feels far more satisfying than a $100 gift,” he said.

He identifies talent acquisition as the fastener industry’s most significant challenge, noting that younger generations show limited interest in pursuing careers in the sector while existing expertise concentrates among professionals in their mid-40s and older.

Beyond his business responsibilities, Pappy serves as vice president of the Travelers Rest Police and Fire Foundation and maintains involvement with the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance as a fundraising partner since 2019.

Hari Sivaprakasam leads operations at Sunland Logistics Solutions, a distribution and logistics company with more than 800 employees worldwide. He holds a Master of Science in industrial engineering with concentrations in manufacturing and logistics from Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Engineering in production engineering from University of Madras.

Sivaprakasam’s career in logistics began after graduating from Georgia Tech, when he worked as an engineer for a third-party logistics provider. Early in his tenure, operations managers emphasized the importance of understanding frontline work, teaching him to operate material handling equipment including forklifts and order pickers.

Under his leadership, Sunland has expanded its South Carolina operations with a new 300,000-square-foot inbound-to-plant facility for a tier one automotive supplier and growth in foreign trade zone warehousing. The company also launched an artificial intelligence-powered supply chain control tower solution.

“Success is defined by how well I can help others grow and achieve their goals,” Sivaprakasam said.

He holds a logistics professional certificate from Georgia Tech’s Supply Chain and Logistics Institute and maintains active membership in the Warehousing Education & Research Council and Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.