New Airport Commissioners named
January 3, 2019
Hank J. Jibaja and Mr. Pat G. Smith
Mr. Hank J. Jibaja and Mr. Pat G. Smith have been appointed to the Richland-Lexington Airport Commission representing Lexington County. Both appointments are to replace expired terms on the Commission.
Hank J. Jibaja is the Chief Information Officer at Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation where he has served for the past 19 years. Mr. Jibaja’s role at Nephron includes overseeing the integration of all automated production equipment, ERP systems and data analytics. Preceding his hire at Nephron, he served as the Chief Information Officer of a Quantitative Hedge Fund, as well as a Partner in a renowned technology company. Mr. Jibaja holds a position on the board of the Columbia Film Society as Vice Chair. He is also involved with EngenuitySC and the Lexington Chamber of Commerce and recently received the South Carolina CIO Award from AcumenIT. Mr. Jibaja, his wife and three sons reside in Lexington.
Pat G. Smith is the Agency Director for the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School and has served in that role for the past 21 years. He is responsible for advancing the board’s directives and policies for the Opportunity School. He oversees the agency’s mission, programs, and services as well as capital initiatives and improvements. Mr. Smith has served as a Gubernatorial Appointment with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW) and also served as Mayor of the Town of Springdale from 1985-2014. He served on the Board of Directors for the Lexington County Joint Water and Sewer Commission and the Central Midlands Council of Governments. Mr. Smith is a recipient of the Order of the Palmetto and has also been awarded the Richard M. Kuffel Award for Excellence in Education. He is a member of the Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce and the Airport High School Improvement Council. Mr. Smith and his wife reside in Springdale.
The Richland-Lexington Airport Commission consists of twelve members. Five members represent Richland County, five members represent Lexington County and two members represent the City of Columbia.
