~ boards ~

Al Hitchcock, Chairman

A founding member of Save the Light, current Board Chairman and head of the Technical Committee. Lives on James Island, in Sea Side Plantation, where he has a view of the Morris Island Lighthouse, as well as the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse and all of Clark Sound. Married to Nancy Laye Hitchcock, has four grown children and three grandchildren. President and co owner of CR Hipp Construction, Inc, 4981 Dorchester Road, North Charleston. Has lived in Charleston for 29 years, born and raised in Abbeville, SC, attended Clemson University, graduated with a Mechanical Engineering Degree. Loves to fish, sail, boat and spend time on Morris Island.

Richard Beck

Richard has been a practicing dentist on James Island for more than 30 years. He is a long time resident of Folly Beach who has always participated in his community, having served as mayor of Folly Beach, past Chairman of Save The Light, as well as "boat-access" person for the lighthouse.

John Davy

Carl Hitchcock

Troy Leboeuf

Originally from Louisiana, living in the Charleston area since March 2002. Present board member and volunteer for different events supporting the lighthouse. I have studied lighthouse history and preservation efforts for nearly 14 years now and visited numerous lighthouses along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Presently self employed as a carpenter working on renovation projects all over the Charleston area. Graduated from Thibodaux High School in 1984 and completed the Construction Course at Lafourche Technical Institute in 1986. My hobbies include fishing, lighthouse history and photography.

Barry McLaurin

Barry has been with Save The Light since we incorporated. As a CPA with 46 years experience, Barry is Treasurer of Save The Light and his expertise has been extremely important managing our budget and finances.

Robert New

Rob is a Founding Member of Save The Light. His businesses center around the maritime community, so he has a keen interest in preserving maritime history. He has served as chairman of the Charleston County School Board and is an educational consultant for a local TV station. Rob and his family are long time residents of Folly Beach and he is our representative working with the county park in arranging for a viewing and educational center for the lighthouse.

Betty O'Brien

Betty Johnson O'Brien is a native of Greer, SC. She is married to John O'Brien and has three children and two grandchildren. Her interest in lighthouses was kindled while living quite a distance from the coast. While residing in Greer, she established an organization that "adopted" the Old Charleston Light and raised a substantial amount to donate to our cause, much to the surprise and delight of the entire Save the Light board. Moving to Charleston in 2006 enabled her to be more active with Save the Light. She now serves
as chairwoman of Capital Campaign for Phase II.
Betty is an avid genealogist. She has published one book and is working on a second, 'Journey of the Johnsons.' Among her many involvements, she is a member of the DAR, Colonial Dames XVII Century, and the Henderson County, NC Genealogical & Historical Society. She is a trustee for the Johnson Family's Church and Cemetery.

Lisa Weitz

Fred Wichmann

Fred's interest in lighthouses began in 1930 with his birth at Cape Romain Lighthouse where his father had been Keeper for 21 years. This naturally led to a lifelong love of lighthouses, boats, and the water. Fred is a Founding Member of Save the Light and has been an advocate for maritime and historic preservation in and around the Lowcountry. For several years, he generously donated space at his real estate company for the Save the Light office, until it was moved to Folly Beach. His favorite leisure activity is, of course, "simply messing about in boats."

Jim Booth, Chairman
Congressman Henry Brown
George Campsen
James L. Ferguson
Harry Huge
Glenn F. Keyes, AIA
SC Rep. Wallace Scarborough
Jim Sullivan