William B. Dukes reappointed to South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission

William B. Dukes, of Chapin, has been appointed to another term on the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) Commission representing the 2nd Congressional District.

Dukes, owner of Blue Marlin Restaurant and Signature Catering, was first named to the SCDOT Commission in August 2021, filling an unexpired term. A graduate from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Dukes received an ROTC commission in the US Air Force. A Vietnam veteran, Dukes served in the US Air Force for four years and attained the rank of Captain.

In 1981, Dukes cofounded and developed the Longhorn Steakhouse chain in the Carolinas.

Dukes is founder and Chairman of Honor Flight of SC, with more than 2,000 World War II and Korean War veterans honored. He was appointed by the Secretary of the Army to be the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army representing South Carolina and served in this capacity from 2014-2018.

Dukes is a past member of the Lexington-Richland Airport Commission, where he first began serving in 2002; served as member of the Newberry College Board of Trustees; is a former Director of the Columbia and Charlotte Chambers of Commerce; a former advisor to the SC Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging; past member of the USC Educational Foundation; past chairman of the Columbia Convention Center Authority; and chairman of the SC Synod-ELCA Tanzania Safe Water Task Force.

Dukes received The Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor, from the Governor of South Carolina. He and his wife, JoAnn, have two sons.