Gov. Henry McMaster has appointed three new members to the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Area Commission.
Harold Gillens, Dr. James Sulton Jr. and Heath Wilson are replacing longtime area commissioners Dr. Margaret Felder-Wilson, David Rickenbaker and Jacqueline Shaw, who retired in June.
“OCtech has been fortunate to benefit from the dedication of exceptional area commissioners who have helped guide our institution through years of growth and opportunity,” President Dr. Walt Tobin said. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Margaret, David and Jackie for their unwavering commitment, thoughtful leadership and steadfast belief in our mission. Their contributions have strengthened our college, expanded opportunities for our students and left a lasting legacy that will continue to shape OCtech for years to come.”
“As we honor their service, we are equally excited to welcome three new commissioners to OCtech’s governing body. Their diverse experiences, fresh perspectives, and shared commitment to student success and workforce development will help position us to meet the evolving needs of our region. We look forward to working together as we continue building on our strong foundation, fostering innovation, and creating new opportunities for the students and communities we proudly serve.”
Harold GIllens
Gillens is president and CEO of Quintech Solutions Inc., a security consulting and construction management firm. He has led security engineering, construction and infrastructure projects for the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, General Services Administration, educational institutions and commercial clients. He is a certified physical security professional, certified forensic consultant and Department of Homeland Security Level III professional, and holds degrees from Clemson University and George Washington University. Gillens is an advocate for education, serving on Clemson University’s Dean of Engineering Leadership Circle and establishing the Gillens Family Endowment Fund for Diversity in Engineering. He and his wife, Ophelia, have two sons.
Dr. James Sulton Jr.
Sulton is president of The Sulton Center LLC, a public policy institute that focuses on expanding educational opportunities and student success. He has held executive leadership positions at Brookdale Community College in New Jersey, the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board, the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. Earlier in his career, he served as special assistant to the president for minority affairs at the University of Wisconsin System and taught political science at Howard University. Sulton earned his bachelor’s degree from Howard University and master’s and doctorate degrees from Johns Hopkins University. He and his wife, Anne, have three children.
Heath Wilson
Wilson is a crop insurance agent with AgSouth Farm Credit. A native of Mayesville, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Clemson University in 2013. Since moving to St. Matthews in 2017, Wilson has become an active community leader, serving as a past president of the St. Matthews Rotary Club, a member of the Calhoun County Farm Bureau Board, and former chairman of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Committee. He has also served as a deacon at Mayesville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Heath and his wife, Lauren, are expecting their third child this fall.