Michael Bennett grew up in a small two-bedroom home with nine people, where his father owned a junkyard and truck repair shop. From age 7, he cut grass and later packed boxes at the Old Tomato Sheds on Johns Island, learning the value of punctuality and hard work.

Bennett attended the University of South Carolina but left after two years to pursue his entrepreneurial journey. At 20 years old, he started renting bicycles and mopeds on Market Street, discovering he liked being his own boss. That bicycle rental business launched what would become 50 years in the hospitality industry.

Today, Bennett leads Bennett Hospitality with 1,300 employees worldwide, making him the largest local owner of hotels, restaurants and venues in Charleston. His Hotel Bennett has been listed as one of the finest hotels in the world by Conde Nast. With several hotels under construction and more developments in the pipeline, Bennett works with a small team of employees and family members.

“I don’t dwell on challenges, only opportunities,” Bennett said, reflecting on his approach to business and life.

Hope Caldwell earned her Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Johnson and Wales University before establishing herself as a leader in the hospitality and tourism industry. As Principal of KLH Group, Caldwell leads the 10-person firm with a focus on purpose-driven business practices.

Beyond her professional role, Caldwell co-founded Doors to Dream, an organization engaging underserved youth to activate their potential and gain access to opportunities. She also co-founded The Spokes Group in Charleston, which has provided over 1,500 bicycles to underprivileged children since 2012, raising between $15,000 and $35,000 annually.

As a board member for OneWorld Health, Caldwell led medical mission trips to Uganda, overseeing teams of 40 volunteers and coordinating with onsite partners to deliver sustainable healthcare to underserved communities.

“Don’t let perfection get in the way of excellence,” Caldwell said, describing advice that has shaped her approach to leadership.

An author, speaker and marathon runner, Caldwell has impacted 246,000 people through her various initiatives, embodying servant leadership across professional and philanthropic endeavors.

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Tia Clark built her Charleston-based crabbing tour company on two decades of food and beverage industry experience, transforming local waterways into an educational adventure for residents and visitors alike. As CEO of Casual Crabbing with Tia, she leads a team of seven while serving on multiple environmental boards.

Clark’s commitment to marine conservation extends through her volunteer work with Charleston Waterkeepers, the Marine Advisory Committee for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and The Good Catch sustainability board at the South Carolina Aquarium. She also serves on Airbnb’s Experience Host Advisory board.

Her industry leadership earned recognition in The Explorer’s Club’s EC50 class of 2025, highlighting 50 individuals changing the world. “I define success by the feeling I get waking up every day,” Clark said, noting her transition from restaurant management to entrepreneurship filled a professional void.

Clark’s career began at McDonald’s, where she learned teamwork fundamentals that shaped her hospitality approach. Beyond business, she’s an avid billiards player who once competed on an eight-ball pool league.

Heath Dillard leads VisitGrenvilleSC as president and CEO, bringing extensive hospitality and tourism expertise to South Carolina’s destination marketing. Dillard earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the College of Charleston and MBA from the University of North Carolina Charlotte.

His career began with manual labor for an electrical subcontractor, followed by minor league baseball operations where he gained broad business experience. This foundation shaped his multifaceted leadership approach.

As a Certified Destination Marketing Executive, Dillard currently serves on the Greenville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Metropolitan Arts Council Board of Directors and Travel & Tourism Research Association International Board. He is a Leadership Charlotte Class 38 member and Riley Fellow at Furman University.

Under Dillard’s leadership, Greenville has secured notable achievements including hosting Top Chef Season 23, the inaugural Michelin Guide American South Ceremony and a three-year SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament contract extension through 2028. “Right is right, even if no one is doing it,” Dillard said, reflecting his guiding philosophy.

Rick Erwin began his restaurant industry career as a dishwasher at age 14, gaining firsthand experience in hospitality operations from the ground up. After dedicating 23 years to Ryan’s Family Steakhouses, he founded the Rick Erwin Dining Group in 2005, opening his first establishment, Rick Erwin’s West End Grille, in Greenville.

The upscale restaurant group has since expanded to operate seven eateries across South Carolina’s Upstate region, with locations spanning Greenville, Spartanburg and Clemson. The group’s diverse portfolio includes Rick Erwin’s West End Grille, Rick Erwin’s Greer, Rick Erwin’s Eastside, Rick Erwin’s Level 10, The Vista, Rick Erwin’s Clemson and Rick Erwin’s Nantucket Seafood.

Erwin’s establishments have earned multiple accolades, including the OpenTable Diners’ Choice designation and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, recognizing both service quality and culinary standards. The group launched its charitable initiative, Crab Cakes for a Cause, last year, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to community engagement alongside exceptional dining experiences throughout South Carolina.

Jeff Goldklang serves as owner and vice chairman of the Charleston RiverDogs, leading a sports entertainment organization with 90 employees. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Rochester before beginning his career at Integrated Sports International, which was acquired by SFX Sports Group shortly after he joined. There he worked in the marketing division of a major sports agency representing NFL, MLB and NBA clients.

Goldklang’s leadership philosophy emphasizes creating an engaging workplace culture in the baseball industry. “Our employees work their butts off. We try to always make it as much fun as possible and allow them to enjoy the fact they work in baseball,” he said. The RiverDogs organization focuses on providing affordable family entertainment while maintaining high-quality production, food and hospitality services.

In 2025, the team received Major League Baseball’s Community Award, given to one minor league team among 120 franchises, and made the largest charitable cash donation of any minor league team at over $100,000.

Helen Hill has led the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for 30 years, representing 849 member businesses and nine municipal governments in Charleston and Dorchester counties. Hill’s Charleston upbringing provided insights she applies to marketing the region as a destination. The bureau’s creative marketing programs have helped Charleston area accommodations achieve one of the highest success rates in the country.

Hill serves on the US Travel Association board and holds board positions with the Charleston County Aviation Authority and Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. She previously chaired the South Carolina Association of Tourism Regions and Southeast Tourism Society. Hill received the Fred Brinkman Award for Outstanding Tourism Leadership in South Carolina as the first woman and fourth person honored. Afar Magazine recently recognized her as a Vanguard of Travel.

Hill volunteers with Ashley Hall School and Clemson University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. She lives downtown with her family and enjoys walking, biking and boating.

Starting as a shelf stocker at a Winn-Dixie Supermarket and teaching private trumpet lessons on the side, Matt Hollander has built a career he loves. Now, he has more than 35 years of industry expertise, working in convention centers, arenas, theaters, and amphitheaters. As the general manager of the Greenville Convention Center today, Hollander is described as a servant leader, where he’s responsible for the management, promotion and operations of the facility. He’s passionate about introducing Greenville to people looking for a conference, meeting, or event location.

Some of Hollander’s other professional experiences include direct leadership of a destination marketing organization and a sports commission, the oversight of design and construction of new venues, renovation and expansion of existing venues, and helping oversee ongoing capital improvement projects.

Away from work, Hollander was recently elected as the second vice chair of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) board of directors. He also joins the board’s senior leadership team and has begun a four-year officer rotation to ultimately serve as chair of the board for the 2027–2028 term.

Tammy Johnson discovered her entrepreneurial passion at age 12 working in her aunt’s retail gift shops on the Outer Banks. By 15, she managed inventory, ordering, hiring, marketing and bookkeeping while also hosting at a fine dining restaurant. Johnson progressed through every restaurant role—waitress, bartender, line cook and manager—working across Texas, Alaska, Charleston and Hawaii before arriving in Greenville in 2009 as catering sales manager for a regional restaurant group.

In 2011, Johnson launched Liquid Catering from her garage, later expanding to create High Spirits Hospitality’s six additional businesses: The Old Cigar Warehouse event venue, Bravo1 Protection security company, High Spirits Events, Topside Pool Club and Events at Judson Mill, which opened in summer 2022.

Johnson serves on boards for euphoria food and wine festival, The University Center of Greenville and the Truist Culinary & Hospitality Innovation Center Advisory Committee at Greenville Tech. She graduated from Leadership Greenville Class 39 and mentors through the Greenville Chamber’s Minority Business Accelerator program.

Casey Lavin oversees all aspects of the Beemok Hospitality Collection, including The Charleston Place, The Cooper Hotel, Sorelle, American Gardens and The Riviera Theater. He joined Beemok in 2021 with the founding of the collection.

Lavin began his career as a teenager working in restaurant kitchens in his hometown in Virginia. After attending college in Switzerland, he joined a leadership training program with the Ritz-Carlton Company before joining the Kiawah Island leadership team to open The Sanctuary. His career has taken him to senior leadership roles with The Greenbrier in West Virginia, The Sea Island Company in Georgia and Montage International at Palmetto Bluff.

He currently serves on the board of directors for the Charleston Regional Development Association, the American Hotel and Lodging Association Resort Committee and the board of governors for Explore Charleston. Lavin is also a vestry board member at Grace Episcopal Cathedral Charleston.

Lavin earned his degree in hospitality and tourism management at Cesar Ritz Colleges in Switzerland.

Kevin Mills, who grew up in Kansas, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Kansas before building a career spanning hospitality and nonprofit leadership. After working in restaurants during his formative years and spending 10 years with the cruise company Cunard Line, Mills has dedicated two decades to the South Carolina Aquarium, where he serves as president and CEO, overseeing 175 employees.

Under Mills’ leadership, the aquarium opened the Boeing Learning Lab at the Charleston Maritime Center in January 2025. The state-of-the-art multi-classroom facility along Charleston Harbor serves schoolchildren from across the state with free, science-based curriculum while hosting public lectures, teen science cafes and collaborative workshops on climate resilience and species conservation.

Mills serves as a council member for the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and advisory board member for South Carolina SeaGrant. His extensive leadership experience includes serving on the Association of Zoos and Aquariums board and mentoring through the AZA Executive Leadership Development Program since 2012.

“Service is an honor,” Mills said, reflecting values shaped by his early restaurant work.

Steve Palmer brings more than 40 years of food and beverage industry experience to his role leading the Charleston-based Indigo Road Hospitality Group. Since founding the company in 2009 with a single restaurant, he has grown it into a portfolio of restaurants and independent hotels across the country.

A best-selling author, podcast host and mental health advocate, Steve Palmer has earned national recognition from The New York Times, NPR and Southern Living. He is a four-time James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur, most recently in 2024 for his work with colleague Kimball Brienza at O-Ku.

His 2019 book, Say Grace: How the Restaurant Business Saved My Life, became a bestseller. He also hosts the podcast Say Grace: Food for Thought in Hospitality, featuring conversations with industry leaders.

Steve Palmer considers his proudest accomplishment co-founding Ben’s Friends with Mickey Bakst, an organization offering support to hospitality professionals struggling with substance abuse. He speaks regularly at events including Welcome Conference, TEDx Charleston and Charleston Wine + Food Festival.

Duane Parrish leads the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, overseeing an organization of 800 employees. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in Management and Marketing from the University of South Carolina.

Throughout his career, Parrish has focused on hospitality, working in hotels, destination marketing organizations and state tourism. His professional journey began as a landscaper at a Holiday Inn in West Columbia, where he learned the importance of guest service and taking pride in one’s work.

Parrish has held leadership positions including chair of the National Council of State Tourism Directors in 2018. He received the Order of the Palmetto in 2016 and was named NCSTD Director of the Year in 2019.

Under his leadership, South Carolina’s tourism industry achieved a record-breaking $30 billion economic impact in 2024. He serves on multiple boards including the Heritage Classic Foundation, SC250 Commission and USC’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Advisory Board.

Rita Patel leads Hotel Trundle as owner and chief marketing officer, guiding the boutique property to national prominence. She holds a Bachelor of Family & Consumer Sciences in Furnishings and Interiors from the University of Georgia and a Master of Architecture from the University of North Carolina Charlotte.

Under Patel’s leadership, Hotel Trundle has earned recognition as the sixth-best boutique hotel in the United States by USA Today 10Best in both 2024 and 2025. The hotel has been honored eight consecutive years as Best Hotel in Free Times’ Best of Columbia. Patel also received preservation awards for the historic Flutter Wing expansion at 1544 Main St. and the broader revitalization of three downtown buildings.

Patel serves on the Board of Trustees for the Central Carolina Community Foundation and as a board member for Prisma Health Children’s Hospital Midlands. She is expanding Hotel Trundle’s portfolio with The Vonton Hotel, a 45-room historic preservation project scheduled to open in late 2027, and adding three guest houses in Cottontown by year’s end.

Beth Paul leads the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, a multi-purpose venue that hosts more than 130 events annually and welcomes over 600,000 guests each year. The arena serves as a cornerstone of entertainment, sports and community engagement in the Upstate.

Paul earned a Bachelor of Science from Presbyterian College. She recently guided the arena through unveiling a comprehensive master plan, which focuses on infrastructure improvements, technology upgrades and expanded community spaces designed to position the venue for the next generation of live events.

Under her leadership, the arena continues to attract world-class concerts, NCAA and SEC tournaments and local events that bring visitors from across the region. Paul chairs VisitGreenvilleSC and serves on the boards of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra and Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County. She leads community engagement initiatives through the arena’s partnerships focused on youth wellness and mental health awareness.

“Success requires consistent, daily effort and you have to choose to work for it every day,” Paul said.

DJ Rama leads Auro Hotels, a hospitality company with 2,475 employees worldwide. Born in Malawi, Africa, Rama began his career in banquet setup before pursuing extensive education in hospitality management. He holds an undergraduate degree from Johnson & Wales University, a Master of Management in Hospitality from Cornell University and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Owner/President Management Program.

Under Rama’s leadership, Auro Hotels established the O.N.E. Program, which follows a 1-1-1 giving principle: contributing one percent of profit, product and manpower to poverty relief and education initiatives. In 2019, Rama contributed $500,000 to support Greenville’s Unity Park, creating the Auro Bridge naming gift. Most recently, Auro Hotels committed more than $100,000 as an À la Heart GVL Legacy Supporter, which provides emergency assistance to Greenville County hospitality workers facing crisis.

Rama serves on the Owners Advisory Councils for both Marriott International and Hyatt Hotels, as well as the Dean’s Advisory Board at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration. His leadership has been recognized through honors including the 2022 Marriott Serve 360 recognition, the 2021 Visionary Leadership honor from the Community Foundation of Greenville and the 2020 Developer of the Year distinction at the CONNECT Marriott Select Brands conference.

Rob Salvatore is the visionary owner and chairman of the Charleston Battery, one of the longest-running professional soccer clubs in the United States. He acquired the team in late 2019 through his investment group, HCFC, LLC, with a clear mission: to revive the club’s legacy while deepening its ties to the Lowcountry community.

A hands-on leader, Salvatore has overseen a major relocation of the Battery to the Patriots Point Soccer Complex in Mount Pleasant, collaborating with the city and the College of Charleston on the project. Under his ownership, the club has invested in fan-friendly stadium upgrades, like new hospitality zones, party decks, and better food-vendor access.

Salvatore emphasizes transparency and community engagement and has hosted listening sessions to help strategize long-term growth. He believes in building with intention, not shortcuts, and his leadership reflects a genuine commitment to restoring the Battery’s relevance on and off the pitch.

Carl Sobocinski earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Clemson University in 1990. He founded Table 301 Hospitality in 1997, growing the organization to 550-600 employees. Since its inception, Table 301 has donated more than $2 million to the community, with employees volunteering an average of 3,200 community service hours annually.

Sobocinski led lobbying efforts to change South Carolina laws allowing Sunday alcohol sales in restaurants. He currently addresses rising downtown Greenville living costs by leading initiatives to subsidize housing for hospitality workers.

“Success isn’t only about the business metrics,” Sobocinski said. “It’s about helping the next generation of hospitality workers and restaurateurs advance.”

He serves on the VisitGreenvilleSC and Greenville Chamber of Commerce boards of directors. Previously, he chaired the United Way of Greenville and served as board president for the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Recent company developments include opening Tavola Italian in September 2024 and Lefty’s West End Tavern in July 2025. Sobocinski received South Carolina’s Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor, in 2020.

With nearly three decades of experience in the zoo and attractions industries, Thomas K. Stringfellow is only the third executive to oversee Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in its 50-year history. A native South Carolinian, he began his career at Riverbanks in 2002 as director of marketing and advanced to chief operating officer in 2011 before being named president and CEO in August 2017.

Prior to joining Riverbanks, Stringfellow directed sales and marketing for theme parks including Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags Whitewater Water Park, American Adventures Family Entertainment Center and Six Flags Great Escape and Water Park.

During his inaugural year as president, Riverbanks was named Best South Carolina Attraction by readers of USA Today while welcoming nearly 1.3 million guests. An active member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, Stringfellow has served on the Marketing Advisory Committee for AZA and boards for the Columbia Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau and Palmetto Health’s Camp Kemo.

Shane Ziegler earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Clemson University and discovered his career direction during an internship with South Carolina State Parks before his senior year. The naturalist position there aligned perfectly with his deep passion for working outdoors and teaching, particularly with young children.

Today, Ziegler owns and operates Barrier Island EcoTours in the hospitality and tourism industry, leading a team of 12 employees. He guides his business philosophy with advice he values highly: “Keep employees that treat your business like it’s their own,” Ziegler said.

Beyond his tourism business, Ziegler contributes to his community by coaching youth basketball and football programs. He identifies coastal development, offshore drilling and sea level rise as the biggest challenges facing his industry today.

Ziegler defines success as being loved by others, maintaining close friendships and family relationships, enjoying one’s work and having the flexibility to pursue hobbies and spend quality time with family. When not leading tours, he plays piano and, at 52, can still dunk a basketball.