Mark H. McCain is a member of Sea Island Rotary Club in Beaufort, a Paul Harris Rotarian Major Contributor, and services as a District 7770 ShelterBox Ambassador.
As civil engineer possessing a Professional Engineers license Mark worked in the field of critical infrastructure civil engineering.
After 40 years of service, Mark retired in 2016 as a senior advisor & subject matter expert to the Department of Homeland Security within the Critical Infrastructure Security & Protective Directorate. His responsibilities included deployments which took him to many of the world’s locations in which ShelterBox has been involved in the response to manmade and natural disasters.
Having a passion for Rotary service, our guest today believes that through the Rotary Club of North Charleston’s involvement in helping serve others during the worst of times we offer the opportunity as
reflected the words of the Bible to provide, “HOPE”.
The mission of ShelterBox it so build awareness of global displacement and to facilitate providing families with life-saving shelter and essential tools and supplies that will enable them to rebuild their homes and transform their lives after disaster.
Mark Holyfield has served in the Marine Corps for over 18 years, over half of that on active duty as an Infantry Officer and District Injured Support Coordinator (DISC). He is currently serving in the Marine Corps Reserves. He deployed twice to the Middle East including service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as a platoon commander, company executive officer, company commander, and battalion operations officer with various units.
Mark was assigned to the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment’s DISC program from 2014 to to 2016. While serving in that role he supported wounded, injured, and ill Marines and Navy Corpsman across South Carolina, Western North Carolina, and Northeast Georgia as they reintegrated into civilian life.
He currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserves with Marine Corps University’s Field Historian Detachment. An avid fly fisherman he can be found in the coastal waters of Charleston guiding the occasional fly fishing charter.
He is a founding member of Vantage Point Foundation. He has also served as a Co-Chair of the Lowcountry Veteran Engagement Team (LVET), A MyVA Community Board comprised of veteran-serving organizations within the Lowcountry of South Carolina. This board collaborates with the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, SC.
Jason Kreutner, raised in Mount Pleasant and a current resident, is the founder and Head of University School of the Lowcountry.
As a leader who is also a faculty member, Kreutner teaches all students in Leadership and Life Skills, organizes and leads the weekly experiential learning activities, and coaches the Quiz Bowl teams.
Prior to establishing University School of the Lowcountry, he was Dean of Students and then Director of Studies at Charleston Collegiate School, served as Upper School Dean and History Department Chair at Porter-Gaud School, and was Dean of Students and Humanities Instructor at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia, SC. He consults and has guided several existing and new independent and public schools and presented at South Carolina, Southeast region, and national education forums.
He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the South Carolina Honors College (Baccalaureus Artium et Scientiae) and received his master’s degree from Emory University in History.
Mr. Kreutner is married to Ashleigh (Tasha) Eady, a member of the corporate management team for Curated Events. They have one daughter, Kessler (’23) at the University of Virginia, and a son, John Ross (’31). In addition to his work in school settings, he is a longtime coach, builder of a strong and positive organizational culture, and developer of successful young people through swimming. He is a member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in West Ashley, where he is a lay leader and Sunday School teacher.
Reginald L. “Reggie” Burgess, a native of North Charleston’s historical neighborhoods Union Heights and Liberty Hill, is a man of dedication and diverse achievements. His early love for sports led him to excel in track & field, baseball, football, and basketball during his youth, with football emerging as his true passion. Reggie’s prowess on the field earned him a full scholarship to Morgan State University, where he shone as a wide receiver for the Bears. His college career was marked by numerous accolades, including Sporting News Division 1-AA All-American honors, a spot on the Historical Black College Sports All-American 1st Team, and multiple All-MEAC selections. Despite his aspirations for the NFL, life had other plans, and Reggie returned to South Carolina, embarking on a distinguished law enforcement career.
Joining the North Charleston Police Department in 1989, Reggie’s commitment to justice and community service propelled him through the ranks. His roles ranged from Patrol Officer, DARE and GREAT Officer, to various investigative and supervisory positions, reflecting his versatility and leadership skills. By 2018, he reached the pinnacle of his police career as the Chief of Police for North Charleston, a testament to his dedication and expertise. His journey didn’t stop there, as on January 2, 2024, he was inaugurated as the Mayor of North Charleston, marking a new chapter in his service to the community.
Reggie’s educational pursuits complement his professional journey, holding a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Claflin University and completing advanced training at the Southern Police Institute, the Senior Management Institute for Police, and the US Secret Service Academy. These experiences reflect his commitment to continuous learning and excellence.
Guided by his mother’s wisdom, “to thine own self be true,” Reggie balances his professional endeavors with a rich personal life. He cherishes his family, including his wife Tracy Riggins Burgess, his high school sweetheart, and their two children, Reggie II and Kristen. A lifelong member of Royal Missionary Baptist Church and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Reggie embodies a deep commitment to his faith and community. His story is one of resilience, leadership, and unwavering dedication to public service.
Solicitor Scarlett A. Wilson was confirmed by the South Carolina State Senate on August 3, 2007, to become the first woman to hold the office of Solicitor for the Ninth Judicial Circuit. The citizens of Berkeley and Charleston Counties elected Solicitor Wilson to hold the position in 2008, and re-elected her in 2012 and 2016. Governors Sanford, Haley and McMaster each have appointed Solicitor Wilson to serve as a Commissioner on the South Carolina Commission for Prosecution Coordination. In addition, Governors Haley and McMaster appointed Solicitor Wilson to serve as a member of the State Child Fatality Advisory Committee. Solicitor Wilson is known as a tough but compassionate prosecutor, having won the Law Enforcement Victim’s Advocate Solicitor of the Year Award and the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network’s Criminal Justice Award for Outstanding Service to Victims. Solicitor Wilson has played an integral role in the implementation of Charleston County’s Safety & Justice Challenge grant awarded by the John D. and Catherine MacArthur Foundation. The goal of the grant was to keep dangerous people behind bars and to provide law enforcement and the court more options when dealing with lower-risk, non-violent offenders. Work begun by the grant is on going and shepherded by Solicitor Wilson and other members of the Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
Solicitor Wilson has been a career prosecutor. After graduating from Clemson University in 1989 and the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1992, she was a law clerk for the Honorable Don S. Rushing. Solicitor Wilson began her career in prosecution working as a Fifth Circuit Assistant Solicitor. She next joined the United States Attorney’s Office and its Violent Crimes Task Force as an Assistant United States Attorney where she was a joint winner of the Department of Justice Director’s Award for Superior Performance, the highest award given by the Department of Justice to an AUSA. In January 2001, Scarlett left the United States Attorney’s Office to serve as Chief Deputy Solicitor for then Solicitor Ralph E. Hoisington. She served as Chief Deputy until her appointment to Solicitor after Solicitor Hoisington’s death.
Solicitor Wilson is a native of Hemingway, South Carolina.