Staff & Board Members
Get to know the passionate people working behind the scenes at SEWE.
SEWE Team
Jimmy Huggins
President and CEO
Jimmy has lived his entire life in South Carolina. His association with Southeastern Wildlife Exposition began in 1983, when he served as a volunteer art and staff coordinator. In 1987, his role changed drastically when he and a group of businessmen saved the financially struggling event for the City of Charleston. Serving as Executive Director from 1987 until 1998, Jimmy became President and CEO of the organization in 1998. He currently lives in Summerville, SC with his wife, Beth.Contact Jimmy Huggins
John Powell
Executive Director
A native of Greenville, North Carolina, and a graduate of Davidson College, John lives in downtown Charleston and joined the SEWE staff full-time in April 2007. As Executive Director, John oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization. He works with SEWE corporate partners, and oversees the coordination of all SEWE exhibitors and layouts for all SEWE venues. John lives downtown with his wife, Davy, and their dog.Contact John Powell
Beth Huggins
VIP Coordinator
A native of the Charleston area, Beth is a graduate of Winthrop University with a degree in Interior Design. Beth initially became involved with SEWE as the Director of the SEWE gallery. Her passion for design and art continues with corporate art sales and placement. She also works on the coordination of the VIP program. Away from work, Beth can be found working in her garden with her dog, Harriett Rose.Contact Beth Huggins
Shelby Risher
Special Projects Director
A Charleston native, Shelby grew up attending SEWE from a very young age. She has a deep appreciation of the traditions of the Exposition along with celebrating and preserving the wildlife and nature we all treasure. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, she assists with the day to day operations of the organization along with the special projects and events.Contact Shelby Risher
Mary Roberts
Marketing Director
Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, Mary moved to Charleston after graduating from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Integrated Strategic Marketing and Public Relations. Mary joined the SEWE team in 2010 and became the Director of Marketing in 2012. She lives in Mt Pleasant with her husband, four little boys and dog, Birdie.Contact Mary Roberts
Meagan Trotta
Interim Art Curator
The daughter of an Army Colonel, 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 Interim Artist Coordinator and brings a wealth of design and technological support to the team.Contact Meagan Trotta
Neil C. Robinson, Jr., Chairman
Nexsen Pruet, LLC, Attorney
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
Harry J. Butler, Jr.
Butler Properties, Chairman
Atlanta, Georgia
Senator Paul Campbell
Goose Creek, 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
David L. Morgan
Litton Entertainment
Mt. Pleasant, 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
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
Dr. Lloyd S. Newberry
Retired, Dean of Faculty with the University System of Georgia, land developer, author and conservationist
Townsend, Georgia
* deceased
