Governor, SCOR Announce Start of Final Phase of USS Yorktown Remediation

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Gov. Henry McMaster and the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) on Feb. 18, 2025, announced the USS Yorktown (Yorktown) Environmental Assessment and Remediation project will begin its second and final phase to remove hundreds of thousands of gallons of toxic pollutants from the Yorktown on Feb. 24, 2025, following a notice to proceed on Feb. 17, 2025.

The project is a result of McMaster's 2022 Executive Order, which directed SCOR to begin the process of removing over a million gallons of toxic pollutants from the Yorktown that are at risk of leaking into Charleston Harbor. 

"Beginning the final phase of toxic waste removal from the USS Yorktown is critical to protecting the way of life in the Lowcountry," McMaster said. "Without removal, this waste seriously threatens Charleston Harbor's fragile ecosystem and the industries that define it – including commercial shipping and tourism. This undertaking ensures that our coastline remains protected."

Commissioned in 1943, the Yorktown is an Essex-class aircraft that was converted to an attack aircraft carrier in the 1950s, then to an anti-submarine aircraft carrier in 1957.

After being decommissioned in 1970, it was donated to the Patriots Point Development Authority and relocated to the Charleston Harbor in 1975.

When the Yorktown was decommissioned, the U.S. Navy didn’t have strict decommissioning procedures and made the ship available to South Carolina “as is” and “without warranty."

This included the presence of potentially hazardous materials on board when the ship was relocated.

In July 2022, McMaster directed SCOR to identify all legacy contaminants remaining aboard the Yorktown and develop a plan to remediate the hazardous materials.

SCOR awarded the Yorktown Environmental Assessment and Remediation project an American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds grant in the amount of $10.7M for Phase I and $18.9M for Phase II, for a total award of $29.9M. 

“This project highlights the power of collaboration in tackling complex challenges,” said Chief Resilience Officer Ben Duncan.

Duncan added, “Thanks to partners like Research Planning, Inc. and Patriots Point Development Authority, we were able to complete immediate repairs. This final step will ensure long-term resilience by remediating the ship, allowing the surrounding communities, economies, and ecosystems to thrive without the risk of contamination.”

Cleanup is a timely priority due to the continued corrosion of the Yorktown’s outer hull.

While no hazardous materials have yet to leak from the ship into the harbor, officials said a potential leak would significantly damage the area’s natural resources and the harbor’s ecosystem, including nearby marshes, estuaries, barrier islands, tidal creeks, and beaches.

The USS Yorktown Remediation Final Report, completed in Phase I of the project, outlined these hazards and proposed a remediation plan to eliminate the risk.

HEPACO, LLC will use these findings and recommendations to carry out the cleanup process in Phase II. 

The first phase of the project concluded in December 2023 and included an environmental assessment study to identify the location and quantity of remaining legacy contaminants, as well as the completion of immediate repairs necessary to prepare the ship for the remediation process.

This phase resulted in the extraction of 568,800 gallons of oily water, the removal of 8.88 tons of sludge and mud, the disposal of 4.5 tons of asbestos waste, and 35 external hull repairs.

Phase II remediation activities involve the removal of fuel oil and other contaminants from the carrier, including heavy fuel oil, oily water, contaminated oils and liquids, and asbestos-containing piping insulation. 

The project is expected to take 10 months.

Governor Appoints Brigadier General Robin B. Stilwell As SC’s Next Adjutant General

Gov. Henry McMaster on Feb. 18, 2025, announced his appointment of Brigadier General Robin B. Stilwell as South Carolina's next Adjutant General.

Stilwell, who is director of the Joint Staff for the South Carolina National Guard, will succeed the current Adjutant General, Major General Van McCarty, who plans to retire after serving in the position since 2019. 

"Major General Van McCarty represents the very best of South Carolina's military community. He has provided a steady hand during times of crisis and has proven to be the right man, at the right time, to lead our National Guard," McMaster said.

The governor added, "As we look to the future, Brigadier General Stilwell's extensive experience within the South Carolina National Guard and his proven leadership in domestic and overseas operations make him the right choice to serve as our next Adjutant General. We are fortunate to have a committed and highly respected leader ready to step into this critical role." 

As director of the Joint Staff, Stilwell oversees and directs the administration of all South Carolina National Guard joint staff programs, supporting the state's domestic response and homeland defense contingency operations. 

He began his military service in the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the Citadel in 1985. He was then commissioned as an Infantry Officer and assigned as an Infantry Platoon Leader in Echo Company, 1-118th Infantry Battalion, St. George, S.C.

He has served in the 218th Brigade in various capacities, including chief of staff, operations officer, and commander.

"As Adjutant General, there are responsibilities to protect critical infrastructure, maintain equipment and facilities, manage a budget, and train soldiers for missions both at home and abroad. But the most important responsibility is taking care of the Military Department’s people," Stilwell said.

He added, "If I am confirmed by the Senate, every decision that I make will be calculated in the best interest of the soldiers, airmen, state guardsmen, and employees of the South Carolina National Guard and the citizens of South Carolina."

Stilwell deployed to Afghanistan as an embedded team trainer in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2007 through 2008.

He again deployed to Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian from 2012 through 2013, where he served as chief of staff of Multinational Battle Group – East.

He deployed to Kuwait from 2020 through 2021 as Deputy Chief of Staff FWD for U.S. Army Central Command.

He has commanded the 4-118 Infantry Battalion, headquartered in Union, S.C., the 678th Air Defense Artillery Brigade located in Eastover, S.C., and the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Charleston, S.C.

He has received numerous recognitions, including the Legion of Merit with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with Two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters and One Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, among many others. 

Stilwell, 58, resides in Greenville with his wife, Charlotte Whelan Stilwell. They have three children.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from The Citadel, a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina, and is a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Army War College with a Master of Arts in strategic studies.

He is a South Carolina Circuit Court Judge and a Liberty Fellow of Wofford College and the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

The appointment is subject to Senate approval. McCarty will continue serving as Adjutant General until the confirmation process is complete. 

McGuinn Homes Restructures to Fuel Growth

West Columbia, South Carolina-based McGuinn Homes Inc. announced a corporate restructuring to solidify expansion and operation in three markets within South Carolina.

Officials said the restructuring includes the hiring of division presidents for each standalone market.

McGuinn Homes announced Rob Haney as the Columbia Division president, Kelly McGuinn as the Greenville Division president and Erik Olson and the Savannah/Hilton Head Island Division president. 

Tim Rayborn is serving as the chief operating officer to create the processes and implement support for the growth initiatives across all three divisions from the West Columbia, S.C., home office.

Wade McGuinn is the managing shareholder and Nate Gibson the chief executive officer.

McGuinn Homes Inc. saw the number of closings increase to 581 in 2024 from 337 in 2023 and expects to close over 1,000 new homes in 2025.

The increase in closings translated to a 76 percent year-over-year increase in revenue in 2024, with similar results forecast for 2025. 

Whelan Advisory is acting as the exclusive financial advisor to the McGuinn leadership team.

Bon Secours Names New Chief Medical Officer in Greenville

Bon Secours St. Francis, part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, said Dr. Michael Kelley has been named chief medical officer of the health system’s Greenville market, effective Feb. 24, 2025. 

Kelley will be responsible for growth, as well as operational and clinical oversight of the medical staff. He will serve as liaison between Bon Secours clinical staff and its executive team.

Kelley brings to the ministry more than 25 years of health care experience, including stints in private practice, medical education, and health care leadership roles. 

“I am thrilled that Dr. Mike Kelley will be joining Bon Secours St. Francis as our next CMO. After a national search, it is clear that he has the expertise and demeanor to excel in this role,” said Dr. Bruce Swords, chief clinical officer at Bon Secours St. Francis.

Swords added, “Dr. Kelley will have broad responsibilities for clinical and quality outcomes in our hospitals. He will work closely with our medical staff leadership, physicians and advance practice clinicians, as well as our medical group to continue to improve the exceptional care we provide to our patients and communities.”

Kelley spent the last six years of his career at Owensboro Health in Owensboro, Kentucky where he served in several physician leadership roles including vice president of medical affairs and chief physician officer. 

He earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine, in Burlington, Vermont, where he finished his internship, residency, and chief residency in Internal Medicine and completed his Cardiology fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he practiced and was on clinical faculty for seven years.

He has also received a Master of Science degree in clinical service operations from Harvard and completed a physician MBA program at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. 

"I’ve been diligent in finding the right opportunity for myself and my family. My interactions with Bon Secours leadership showed me a group of caring individuals whose values align with their mission, vision, and daily work,” said Kelley.

He added, “Their focus on quality care, patient experience, and teamwork really resonated with me. This CMO role also offers opportunities to grow a graduate medical education program, foster old and new physician leaders, mitigate caregiver burnout, grow clinical services, and improve care delivery through a cohesive, well thought out and forward-thinking strategy – all of which solidified my decision."

Kelley relocated to the Upstate from western Kentucky and will be joined by his wife and three girls, ages 12, 9, and 8, once the current school year ends.

Growing up in a small ski town in Vermont, Kelley spent much of his life hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and doing things outdoors.

Bon Secours St. Francis is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, one of the 20 largest health systems in the United States and the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the country.

The ministry’s quality, compassionate care is provided by more than 60,000 associates serving communities in Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia, as well as throughout Ireland.

 Bon Secours St. Francis – Greenville provides medical care to thousands of area residents through Bon Secours St. Francis Downtown and Bon Secours St. Francis Eastside, as well as a network of primary and specialty care practices, and ambulatory care sites across the Greenville region.

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