Belle W. Baruch Foundation elects David Dukes as Board Chair and welcomes four new Trustees
July 16, 2026
Effective July 1, 2026, the Belle W. Baruch Foundation elected David Dukes as Chair of its Board of Trustees and welcomed four distinguished leaders to the Board. Together, these appointments bring exceptional experience in law, business, healthcare, marketing, media, conservation, and nonprofit leadership to the Foundation as it continues its mission of preserving Hobcaw Barony’s natural, cultural, and historical resources while advancing scientific research and education.
Dukes succeeds Claudius E. “Bud” Watts IV, who concludes ten years of dedicated service on the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, including his tenure as Board Chair. During his leadership, the Foundation continued to strengthen its stewardship of Hobcaw Barony while expanding its impact through research, education, and preservation initiatives.
A nationally respected attorney, Dukes serves as Chair of the Executive Committee of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, one of the nation’s largest law firms with more than 450 attorneys and 1,000 employees across 13 offices. Throughout his distinguished career, he has held numerous leadership positions, including serving on the boards of First Citizens Bank, Clemson University, the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics Foundation, the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts Foundation, the University of South Carolina Moore School of Business Partnership Foundation, and the National Foundation for Judicial Excellence. He is also a past president of both Lawyers for Civil Justice and DRI, a national organization representing more than 22,000 civil defense attorneys. Dukes earned his bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
“We are deeply grateful to Bud Watts for his ten years of thoughtful leadership and unwavering commitment to Belle Baruch’s vision,” said George Chastain, Executive Director of the Belle W. Baruch Foundation. “Bud has provided exceptional leadership during an important period in the Foundation’s history, and we are excited to partner with David as we continue building upon that momentum. As we welcome David as Board Chair and four accomplished new trustees, we are building on a legacy of stewardship and vision. Their collective expertise and passion for conservation, education, and responsible stewardship will help guide the Foundation through an exciting chapter of growth and opportunity.”
“I am honored to serve as Chair of the Belle W. Baruch Foundation and to work alongside such an accomplished Board of Trustees,” said David Dukes. “Belle Baruch entrusted this remarkable place to future generations, and that responsibility continues to inspire our work today. As a Board, we are committed to providing thoughtful governance and strategic leadership that will strengthen the Foundation’s long-term sustainability, support its ambitious vision for the future, and ensure that Hobcaw Barony remains a nationally significant center for conservation, research, education, and historic preservation.”
New Trustees:
Robyn Rieser Barkin brings extensive experience in strategic marketing, nonprofit governance, and arts leadership. A graduate of Middlebury College and Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, she held leadership positions with Coca-Cola USA and consulting firm Coxe, Curry & Associates, where she advised numerous nonprofit organizations. Barkin has served on the boards of The Westminster Schools, the High Museum of Art, the Atlanta Speech School, and the Fox Theatre, where she recently completed her term as Board Chair.
Billy Campbell is an accomplished television executive and producer whose career has shaped some of television’s most successful nonfiction programming. As President of Discovery Networks U.S., he oversaw Discovery Channel, TLC, and Animal Planet, helping launch acclaimed series including Deadliest Catch, Dirty Jobs, MythBusters, and Planet Earth. Campbell continues to advise media organizations and serves on the board of the Galápagos Conservancy, reflecting his longstanding commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship.
Gary Cooper is Executive Chairman and co-founder of Palmetto Infusion Services and founder of The Carolus Company. A nationally recognized healthcare entrepreneur and the 2020 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® Southeast Award recipient, Cooper has dedicated more than 25 years to building organizations that improve healthcare delivery while emphasizing servant leadership. He serves on the executive committee of the MUSC Heart & Vascular Center Advisory Board, supports several nonprofit organizations, and is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Success Paradox: How to Win in Business and in Life. He and his family reside in Pawleys Island.
Leslie Dunne Ketner enjoyed a distinguished 33-year career as a marketing, publishing, and editorial executive with leading national media organizations, including Southern Progress, Time Inc., Meredith Corporation, and Pace Communications. She has served on numerous regional and national nonprofit boards, including the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and Hollins University, and is a passionate advocate for land conservation, responsible stewardship, and environmental education. She and her husband spend much of their time at their home in DeBordieu Colony adjacent to Hobcaw Barony.
About the Belle W. Baruch Foundation
Founded by Belle W. Baruch, the Belle W. Baruch Foundation is a 501©3 charity organization thatpreserves and manages the 16,000-acre Hobcaw Barony as a living laboratory for scientific research and education while protecting one of the nation’s most significant collections of coastal ecosystems and historic resources. The Foundation’s Board of Trustees provides strategic leadership to ensure Belle Baruch’s vision continues to inspire discovery, conservation, and stewardship for generations to come.
