Staff & Board Members
Get to know the passionate people working behind the scenes at SEWE.
SEWE Team
John Powell
President and CEO
A native of Greenville, North Carolina, and a graduate of Davidson College, John joined the SEWE staff full-time in April 2007. As President & CEO, John manages and supervises the day-to-day operations of the organization and guides the brand's long-term direction. He spends his free time in the outdoors and lives in downtown Charleston with his wife, Davy, young daughter, Caroline, border collie, Bonnie, and yellow lab, Abbott.Contact John Powell
Julia Baker
Gallery by SEWE Curator
Julia is a native of Greenwood, South Carolina. She spent her childhood on her family farm in Newberry where she grew her love of the outdoors and all that SC has to offer. Julia grew up attending SEWE. At the College of Charleston, she pursued studies in Arts Management and Studio Art. Julia manages and oversees SEWE's year-round gallery space, Gallery by SEWE. In her spare time, Julia enjoys hanging out at any local live music venue or spending time with her Boykin Spaniel, Indy.Contact Julia Baker
Gabby Herrera
Exhibits Coordinator
Gabby is a proud Texas native that graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor degree in Communications. She spent her time at Texas A&M serving as marketing director of Chi Omega and gaining a minor in event planning. After graduating she moved back home to Dallas to pursue her passion of Interior Design. Gabby's overwhelming love for the outdoors brought her out to Charleston and ultimately led her to pursue a career in the outdoor industry. She now serves as the Exhibit Coordinator and assists in the organization of all exhibitors at SEWE. Gabby lives in downtown Charleston and can be found spending her weekends watching college football or fly fishing.Contact Gabby Herrera
Mary Frances Page
Operations Coordinator
Mary Frances is a Summerville native, living in downtown Charleston. After studying at University of South Carolina she worked various retail roles including buying and logistics; concentrating her interest in fashion, art, and building strong relationships. As a low-country native she cares deeply about rural preservation and spends most of her free time volunteering at a local farm. Her creative experience combined with her love for conservation and SC wildlife led her to pursue non-profits with a supported mission; SEWE was the obvious choice. She now represents the organizations VIP communications and strives to uphold SEWE’s mission; making conservation possible and accessible while celebrating a collective love for the outdoors.Contact Mary Frances Page
Mary Roberts
Originally from Lexington, Kentucky and a graduate of the University of Kentucky, Mary joined the SEWE team in 2011. As the former Marketing Director, she now focuses on continuing to develop the brand and its Corporate Partner program. Her decade-plus experience within the SEWE family allows her to help in shaping the brand's narrative, foster meaningful connections, and nurture strategic partnerships and help manage the ins and outs of SEWE weekend programming. Mary lives in Mount Pleasant with her husband, Ellis, and their four young boys and hound dog, Birdie.Contact Mary Roberts
Hannah Shannon
Special Events Director and Artist & VIP Relations
Hannah is a South Carolina native and College of Charleston graduate with a degree in Early Childhood Education. While attending CofC Hannah served as the Panhellenic Board President; it was in this role that she realized her passion for event coordination and love for creating strong relationships in the Lowcountry community. After graduation, she worked as a corporate & wedding coordinator in Charleston for several years. Hannah directs all Special Events and coordinates Artists, VIP and Educational Relations for SEWE. Hannah, her husband Ryan, and their dog, Jango, live on Johns Island with a baby girl on the way.Contact Hannah Shannon
Meagan Trotta
Marketing and Sales Director
Meagan spent her childhood between Vicenza, Italy, and various states in the U.S. before moving to Wilmington, North Carolina in 2008. Meagan graduated from The College of Charleston Honors College with a B.S. degree in Marketing. She joined the SEWE team in 2020 to assist with special projects and events and now serves as the Marketing and Sales Director. Meagan develops and implements the marketing, advertising, design and public relations strategies. She manages and executes all promotional efforts and marketing materials while helping guide the overall SEWE brand. Meagan resides in Downtown Charleston.Contact Meagan Trotta
Parker Walters
Logistics Coordinator and Special Projects
A native to Charleston, Parker has grown up attending SEWE, with her dad as a board member and her mother previously in a marketing position. A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Parker puts her entrepreneurship major to use helping with day to day operations, merchandise and special events. Parker enjoys spending her time on the boat with friends and family.Contact Parker Walters
George J. Bullwinkel, III, Chairman
Shareholder, Board of Directors, Maynard Nexsen
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
Thomas A. Hall, Vice Chairman
President, Halls Management Group
Charleston, South Carolina
Tommy Baker
Owner and President, Baker Motor Company
Charleston, South Carolina
George J. Bullwinkel, Jr.
SCANA Energy, Retired President and COO
Columbia, South Carolina
Senator Paul Campbell
Goose Creek, South Carolina
Stephen L. Davis
Davis & Floyd, CEO and Chairman
Greenwood, South Carolina
Mark C. Fava
The Boeing Company
Charleston, South Carolina
Ronnie M. Givens
Summerville, South Carolina
Helen T. Hill
Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chief Executive Officer
Charleston, South Carolina
Leonard L. Hutchison, III
SVP and SC Region President at First National Bank
Charleston, South Carolina
Richard Jackson
C.R. Jackson Co., CEO
Columbia, South Carolina
Neil C. Robinson, Jr. (Immediate Past Chairman)
Maynard Nexsen, Senior Counsel
Charleston, South Carolina
Kenneth T. Seeger
Charleston, South Carolina
O.L. Thompson
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
John F. Walters
M.D., FACEP
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
Claudius E. Watts, IV
Charleston, South Carolina
Members Emeriti
Bill Hall*
Hall Management Group
Charleston, South Carolina
Jack Hanna
Retired, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, conservationist, author, and television personality
Columbus, Ohio
James A. Huggins
Retired, Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, President and CEO
Summerville, South Carolina
Dr. S. Lloyd Newberry
Retired, Dean of Faculty with the University System of Georgia, land developer, author and conservationist
Townsend, Georgia
* deceased
