New Airport Commission Chair and Vice Chair named
February 28, 2018
James Whitmire and Richard McIntyre
James Leslie Whitmire has been elected the Chairman of the Richland-Lexington Airport Commission. He represents Richland County on the Commission having been appointed in 2003 by then Governor Jim Hodges. In this role, he has become and remains a strong, vocal advocate for the Columbia Metropolitan Airport’s efforts to improve its diversity initiatives and business inclusiveness practices.
Mr. Whitmire is a local entrepreneur and an active community leader. He is a partner with Integrity Tax and Bookkeeping, LLC, a Columbia firm that has been in operation for more than 14 years. His community work has included the Pine Valley/Kingswood Neighborhood Association, past president.
A native of Laurens, S.C., Mr. Whitmire is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a primary focus in accounting and taxation. After graduating in 1982, he began his professional career in taxation with the South Carolina Department of Revenue where he worked for nearly 18 years.
Mr. Whitmire is an active member of St. John Baptist Church on Farrow Road where he is chairman of the Board of Trustees and a member of the Senior Musical Choir. He is married to Waltene Vaughn Whitmire. His daughter, Leslie, is a Doctoral student at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Richard N. McIntyre has been elected Vice Chairman of the Airport Commission having been appointed in 2014 to represent Lexington County. He is the Senior Vice President of First Reliance Bank in Lexington and has over 35 years in the banking profession, primarily serving Lexington County residents and businesses.
Mr. McIntyre has served with several community organizations to include Indian Waters Council, Boy Scouts of America Executive Board; Riverbanks Zoo Society Board, past President; Lexington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; and the Lexington Rotary Club.
Originally from Landrum, S.C., Mr. McIntyre graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1980 and has lived in Lexington County since 1983. He is married to Jean Burke, of West Columbia. They have two children, Ashley and Zachary, of Cayce and West Columbia respectively.
