Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Honored with Chamber Joseph P. Riley Leadership Award
June 28, 2011
CHARLESTON, SC – June 28, 2011 – The Charleston Metro Chamber presented City of Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. with the Joseph P. Riley Leadership Award at the Chamber’s 238th Annual Meeting & Gala on June 24. This prestigious award is given each year to an individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities and uses their skills to make this region a better place.
The Joseph P. Riley Award was created in 1992 by the Chamber’s Board of Directors in honor of one of our finest citizens and leaders. This prestigious award is given to an individual, who like “Big Joe,” demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities and uses their skills to make this region a better place.
Above Photo: pictured L-R Bobby Pearce, Chamber Chairman, MayorJoseph P. Riley, Jr. and Bryan Derreberry, Chamber president and CEO.Photo Credit: Robbie Silver Photography.
“Mayor Riley is a true partner with the Chamber and leader in doing everything he can to make sure not just the City of Charleston, but the entire greater Charleston area is the America’s best place to live, learn, work and play. He shares the Chamber’s priorities – job creation, economic growth, ensuring we have the infrastructure for our community and improvement of education – understanding these are all key areas of focus for him just like they are for all of us,” said Bryan Derreberry, Chamber president and CEO.
In his 36 years in office, Mayor Riley has been a visionary leader, transforming Charleston into one of the world’s leading communities. Charleston was the first community in the country to develop a tourism management plan to ensure the character of the community is balanced with this vital economic sector.
Mayor Riley has partnered with the Chamber on many issues including leading the effort to establish CARTA to move our employees from one part of the community to another. He worked tirelessly with the entire community in 1993 in the effort to save the Charleston Naval Base and Shipyard. Since that time, he continues to be very involved and engaged in our military policy efforts, even traveling to Washington, D.C with the Chamber to meet with leaders in the Pentagon.
Mayor Riley was also one of the strongest supporters and worked with the Chamber every step of the way in 2002 and again in 2004 as the Chamber led the campaign to promote the passage of the ½ cent sales tax. He helped secure the needed financial resources, met with neighborhood, community, religious and business leaders, conducted media interviews, even stood out in the rain and handed out pennies on Hwy 17 one morning. He was there again this past Fall with the one cent sales tax for schools.
With more than 2,000 members, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce serves as the catalyst for advancing our region’s economy, improving our quality of life and enhancing our members’ success.
