Joey R. Preston

Joey R. Preston, Anderson County, South Carolina Administrator, is 43 years old. He married Ms. Barbara Bennett of York, South Carolina on July 22, 1989. They have two sons, Will, 13 and Jack, 7. Born one of five children who worked on his family’s tobacco farm, Mr. Preston is no stranger to hard work. Although he enjoyed working with his immediate family, his grandfather’s encouragement motivated him to broaden his interest in politics. Mr. Preston began studying Political Science at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte in the early 1980’s and launched his 21-year career in the public sector upon graduating.

Education

• Graduate, Clemson University, 2005; M.P.A. Graduate Certificate
• Graduate, National Defense University, 2005; Reserve Components National Security Course
• Graduate, Furman University, 2004; The Richard W. Riley Institute of Government, Politics, and Public Leadership; Diversity Leadership Academy
• Graduate, South Carolina Budget and Control Board Executive Institute, 2002
• Graduate, Harvard University, 2001; John F. Kennedy School of Government, State, and Local Government Program
• Graduate, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, 1986; BA, Political Science and Psychology

In August of 1996, the Anderson County Council hired Mr. Preston to be the Anderson County Administrator. Under this role, Mr. Preston has been responsible for the overall operation and daily management of Anderson County Government.

In 2002, Mr. Preston became the only county administrator in the history of South Carolina to be awarded the American City and County Magazine’s, “County Leader of the Year Award.” With his progressive thinking, hard work, and giftedness in bringing people together to accomplish goals, he recognized and unleashed the wealth of potential that Anderson had for years.

Also in 2002, the South Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association named Mr. Preston the “Planning Advocate of the Year.” This recognition acknowledged his outstanding contribution to the advancement of quality planning and his exhibition of qualities that led to the successful accomplishment of numerous goals, programs, and projects in South Carolina.

Mr. Preston plays a key role in the tremendous growth, success, and stability of local government that Anderson County is still experiencing today. His passion and talent are evident in his day-to-day work and the promising changes in our community.

Since his arrival in Anderson in 1996, Mr. Preston has been instrumental in providing the necessary leadership and inspiration for the County to acquire the Government Finance Officers Association’s “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” for ten consecutive years. This respected award is the oldest governmental award in the area of Finance.

In September of 2005, Standard and Poor’s upgraded Anderson County’s bond rating from “AA”to “AA”. Anderson County currently holds the highest bond rating for a county its size in South Carolina.

In November of 2005, Anderson County earned the “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award”. This recognition reflects the governing body and staff’s commitment to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. Anderson County has an operating and capital budget of approximately $110,370,595 annually and employs over 860 full-time and part-time employees.

In 2000, Anderson County was the first County in South Carolina to ever win the National Civic League’s “All America City Award”. This prestigious annual award is only given to ten communities nation-wide whose government, private, and non-profit sectors have worked together to solve problems. Anderson County was also the first County to ever win the South Carolina Association of Counties’ “J. Mitchell Graham Award” for two consecutive years. This award is presented annually to the County that exhibits excellence in its governmental performance.

In 2002, the Association of Counties awarded Anderson County the “Barrett Lawrimore Memorial Regional Cooperation Award” for its Innovative Free 4-U Transit project. This project connects the heart of the City of Anderson with Anderson University, Clemson University, Southern Wesleyan University, and Tri-County Technical College.

In 2006, Anderson County became the only County to receive the “Barrett Lawrimore Memorial Regional Cooperation Award” for a second time since the award’s inception. The Western Piedmont Alliance, consisting of Abbeville, Anderson, and Pickens counties, won the award for joining together, identifying, and sharing resources and expertise. Having modified the principles and operating procedures in Homeland Security and Weapons of Mass Destruction Strategies to meet the needs of their region, these counties combined their efforts to form emergency response teams that guarantee timely emergency response.

Mr. Preston has served as the Anderson County Administrator longer than any other Administrator since the inception of Home Rule.

Previous Experience

1996 to present, County Administrator, Anderson County, SC
1988 to 1996, County Administrator, Cherokee County, SC
1984 to 1987, City of Charlotte, NC

Community Activities

• Chairman, Anderson County March of Dimes, 2003 and 2004 • Elder, First Presbyterian Church • Graduate, Leadership South Carolina, 2000 • Graduate, Leadership Cherokee, 1991 • Graduate, Leadership Anderson, 1998 • Honorary Member, Anderson County Fraternal Order of Police • Member, Saluda-Reedy Watershed Project Advisory Council • Member, South Carolina Educational Television (SCETV) Advisory Board • Member Ex Officio, Freedom Weekend Aloft (FWA) Board • Member, Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce Board • Member, Anderson County Development Partnership Board • Member, South Carolina Law Enforcement Officer’s Association • Member, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) • Member, American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) • Member, South Carolina Economic Development Association • Member, American Public Works Association • Member, National Arbor Day Foundation • Past Member, Electric City Rotary • Past Member, Foothills United Way “Success by Six” Board • Treasurer, Anderson County Arts Council, 2003 • Vice Chairman, Salvation Army Board of Directors, 2001-2002 • Vice Chairman, Anderson County Arts Council, 2004

Honors and Awards

• Awarded the Balloon Federation of America’s “ President’s Award”, 2006
• Appointed by the Governor to serve as the “South Carolina Governor’s Delegate” to the United States Cultural Heritage Tourism Summit, 2005
• Selected as the Anderson Independent Mail Local Leadership’s “Local Government and Political Leader” for nine consecutive years, 1997-2005
• Honored by the State of South Carolina General Assembly with a Resolution dated June 2, 2004, for displaying outstanding success as a county administrator, offering valuable assistance and advice to the Legislative Black Caucus in the area of economic development, and being one of the most innovative and effective local government officials in South Carolina.
• Awarded the South Carolina House of Representatives Commendation in September of 2003 for being selected by the Anderson City and County Magazine to be “County Leader of the Year” for the year 2002
• Honored by the Anderson County Council with a Resolution dated August 6, 2002, for being selected by the American City and County Magazine to be “County Leader of the Year” for the year 2002
• Awarded the International City/County Management Association’s (ICMA) “Program Excellence Award for Outstanding Partnerships: Intergovernmental Cooperation”, 2003
• Awarded the South Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association’s “Planning Advocate of the Year”, 2002
• Awarded the Salvation Army’s “Volunteer of the Year Award”, 2001
• Honored with the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity’s “Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Services”, 2001
• Awarded the Town of Pendleton’s “Service Award”, October 26, 2000
• Awarded the “All-American City Spirit Award”, September 23, 2000
• Presented the Key to the City of Gastonia, North Carolina, 2000
• Awarded the Anderson Independent Publishing Company’s “Pointing the Way Leadership Award”, 1999
• Awarded the Rotary International’s “Governor’s Award for Recruiting”, 1999
• Honored as the “Gubernatorial Appointment” to the South Carolina State Recycling Market Development Advisory Council, 1998-1999
• Honored by Cherokee County with a Resolution dated September 3, 1996 for his outstanding service to the citizens of Cherokee County, South Carolina
• Presented the Key to the Town of Blacksburg, South Carolina, 1996
• Named the Blacksburg Rotary’s, “Rotarian of the year”, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
• Elected to serve as the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Student Body President, 1985-1986
• Appointed to serve on the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Board of Trustees, 1985-1986
• Named by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Student Legislative Body as a son of the University, 1986
• Awarded the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s “Bill Mitchell Award” for scholarship and leadership, 1986

Military Activities and Honors

• United States Air Force Reserve Officers Training, 1983-84, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• Recognized and Honored three times as Outstanding Cadet, 1984
• Member, Arnold Air Honor Society
• South Carolina Military Department, Rank: Lieutenant Colonel in the Adjutant General’s Joint Services Detachment*
  • The Joint Services Detachment is a volunteer administrative support group appointed by the Governor of South Carolina and the Adjutant General. They provide legal, medical, financial, military, and law enforcement support to the South Carolina Military Department. Joint Services Detachment officers provide professional assistance to the South Carolina Military Department allowing it to operate more efficiently and at no additional expense to the South Carolina Military Department. The Joint Services Detachment officers support missions and special projects that promote the professional military image, historical significance, and reputation for reliability of the South Carolina Military Department.
• Detachment Adjutant, Joint Services Department
• Deputy Director, Governmental Affairs, Joint Services Detachment
• Awarded the “National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriotic Employer Award”, 2003, 2005
• Awarded the “SC State Guard Award of Excellence”, September 30, 2004
• Awarded the Army National Guard’s “Command Volunteer of the Year Award” from the 263rd AAMDC, 2005
• Member Affiliate, National Guard Association of South Carolina
• Chairman, South Carolina Military History Foundation Board
• Member, State Guard Association of the United States
• Member, Palmetto Chapter State Guard Association of the United States
• Member, South Carolina Army National Guard 263rd Regiment Scholarship and Family Care Association (RSFCA)
• Member, Proclamations and Dedications Committee, South Carolina State Guard Medal of Honor Ceremony
• Vice Chairman, Youth Program Advisory Board, South Carolina National Guard

South Carolina Military Department**

• • The South Carolina Military Department consists of three main elements: the SC Army National Guard, the SC Air National Guard, and State Operations.

• Awarded the “South Carolina Homeland Defense Achievement Medal” for outstanding service to the South Carolina Homeland Defense Force, August 2006
• Awarded the “State Achievement Ribbon” for notably superior job performance, efficiency, and devotion to duty while serving the State and/or the South Carolina Military Department, August 2005
• Awarded the “State Commendation Ribbon” for superior service to the South Carolina Military Department, to the State, and in interest of the State on a regional and national level, August 2005
• Awarded the “State Service Ribbon” for completing one full year of service to the South Carolina Military Department and Adjutant General, February 2005
• Awarded the “State Guard Commendation Medal”, December 2004
• Awarded the “State Achievement Ribbon” for notably superior job performance, efficiency, and devotion to duty while serving the State and/or the South Carolina Military Department, June 2004
• Honor Graduate, the South Carolina Military Department’s “Officer Basic Course”, 2004