Introducing ENVOYA New Program Connecting Leaders to Our Mission

Santee Cooper’s roots run deep in South Carolina. However, the details of how South Carolina’s Public Service Authority, Santee Cooper’s official name, have impacted the state and is continuing its mission “to be the leading resource for improving the quality of life for all South Carolinians” remain a mystery to many who live here. 

So, how do you tell an in-depth story that spans more than 90 years?

Santee Cooper launched ENVOY, a new outreach and education program that offers a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at the organization’s operations, responsibilities, and achievements across South Carolina. Designed to deepen the understanding of the utility’s work and its impact, ENVOY brings together a select group of community leaders, decision makers and stakeholders to experience firsthand how Santee Cooper fulfills its mission. 

Envoy welcomed 14 members to its inaugural class. Participants were nominated by members of Santee Cooper’s Board of Directors, with one additional external participant selected by President and CEO Jimmy Staton and members of the utility’s C-staff.

The program is led by Santee Cooper’s Economic Development and Local Government team, and its success reflects a companywide effort. Team members from across departments contributed through presentations, panel discussions and facility tours. This collaboration ensured participants received a well-rounded and immersive view of our operations – from power generation and water systems to customer service, safety and innovation.

“Outside of our service territory, a lot of people have heard about Santee Cooper, but few fully understand the scope of what we do every day,” said Manager of Economic Development and Local Government Mike Cool. “Over time, the program will cultivate a group of envoys, who are both knowledgeable about and appreciative of Santee Cooper’s impact on the people of South Carolina.”

Modeled after the S.C. Ports Authority’s Port Ambassador Program, ENVOY offers a series of sessions hosted at various Santee Cooper sites, combining classroom-style presentations with on-site experiences. The idea for the program began with a vision, but turning it into reality took commitment, coordination and creativity.

“Bill McCall was given the framework and really ran with it,” said Cool “He poured his energy into shaping this program, and while he’d be the first to say it was a team effort, his role was critical in making it all come together.”

McCall works as an Economic Development and Local Government Specialist, and he was charged with handling the details of the program. Participants say the program offered both insights and inspiration.

“I think seeing the actual inner workings of how Santee Cooper operates and provides services has been eye opening, and it helps me tell the story of what people are doing to my constituents and business associates,” said Debbie Connor, City of Myrtle Beach County Council. “It has really opened my eyes to what Santee Cooper does as far as water, electricity and environment, but it has also given me more insight into the great people that make up Santee Cooper.”

Another participant, John Lummus, President and CEO of Upstate SC Alliance, echoed that statement. “I think the whole story behind Santee Cooper is something more people need to know about and anyone who is in any type of leadership role, both in private business or the public sector, would benefit greatly from going through this program,” he said.

Let’s take a look at how the inaugural program year played out.

Session 1
The first of four sessions took place in September 2024 at Wampee Conference Center, where participants were introduced to the rich history of Santee Cooper, tracing back to the creation of lakes Marion and Moultrie. 

The afternoon agenda included an in-depth presentation on environmental and aquatic management. Santee Cooper’s biological services team led a live demonstration on aquatic vegetation control, showcasing the innovative use of weevils to manage invasive plant species in the lakes. Attendees also enjoyed a boat tour of the Pinopolis Lock and a visit to Old Santee Canal Park. 

“We had a great afternoon on the water and in the classroom with the ENVOY group discussing aquatic vegetation management on the lakes and migratory fish passage at the dams,” said Manager of Biological Services Chad Holbrook. “The public often doesn’t realize the extent of Santee Cooper’s work in these areas, so it was a great opportunity to offer a behind-the-scenes look at our environmental stewardship.”

The second day of the session focused on the Regional Water System, featuring a detailed presentation followed by a tour of the Lake Moultrie Regional Water System.  

Session 2
The group returned for the second session in November and continued learning about the history of Santee Cooper with a presentation focused on the dams and dikes. The presentation highlighted how these structures were the foundation of Santee Cooper’s foundation, making the creation of Jefferies Hydroelectric Station possible and serving as vital assets for power generation and community protection. 

Following the presentation, the group visited the North Dam and Santee Spillway for an on-site tour.  

“It was a privilege to speak with the ENVOY group about the critical role our dams and dikes play in protecting both our lakes and the surrounding communities,” said Superintendent of General Construction Services Shea McMakin. “These often-overlooked structures are the foundation of Santee Cooper – they made the creation of Jefferies Hydro Station possible and marked the beginning of our legacy. Today, they remain essential for managing water levels, providing safe drinking water, and preserving the long-term health of our environment. The group was highly engaged, asking thoughtful questions and showing genuine appreciation for the complexity and care involved in maintaining this vital infrastructure.”

The day continued with a visit to the Cross Generating Station, where the group learned about the power generation process and toured the facility, with particular emphasis on the plant’s environmental controls. 

The following day, the group met with the Economic Development and Local Government team before touring the Camp Hall Industrial Park to learn more about regional growth and business development opportunities. 

Session 3
During this session, the group visited Santee Cooper’s headquarters to get a better understanding of how the energy grid operates. The group first learned about our transmission system before taking a tour of our Energy Control Center (ECC) to get an understanding of how we balance generation with electric load, how we work with neighboring utilities, and how we work with our customers.

“The ENVOY group took a tour of ECC to learn more about how our operations integrate with the broader regional grid,” said Director of System Operations Adam Taylor. “They were highly engaged throughout the visit, asking detailed questions that reflected a strong interest in understanding the complexity and coordination involved in running a reliable, integrated energy network.”

After closing out the first day with an oyster roast at Wampee Conference Center, the group spent the next morning taking a tour of Nucor Steel Berkeley, Santee Cooper’s largest industrial customer. 

Session 4
The program concluded in late April with the fourth and final session held at Santee Cooper’s Horry-Georgetown office. The day began with an overview of retail operations and storm preparation procedures, followed by tours of the Storm Center, Customer Care Center and Distribution Control Center (DCC). 

“It’s always a pleasure to share the story of Santee Cooper and highlight how our work benefits not just our direct-serve customers, but the entire state,” said Director of Distribution Engineering and Operations Neil James. “This year’s ENVOY participants asked thoughtful, insightful questions and left with a deeper understanding of what it takes to provide safe, reliable power to our communities.”

In the afternoon, the group moved outside for the Power Line Hazards Awareness Demonstration (PHAD), as well as a line technician skills demonstration.

That evening, participants attended the Horry County Appreciation event at the Dunes Golf Beach Club. 

The final day featured a presentation on Santee Cooper’s industrial customers and community involvement efforts. The session wrapped up with a participant roundtable to share feedback, followed by service recognition during the Santee Cooper Board of Directors Meeting.

As ENVOY’s first year concluded, Santee Cooper was already planning for the future of the program, with a goal of continuing to grow awareness and engagement throughout South Carolina.

“This is just the beginning,” said Cool. “ENVOY is another way we’re opening our doors and building lasting partnerships across the state.”