Sam Clawson named Chairman of the Board for Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired SC
August 10, 2026
As the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina (ABVI) celebrates its 90th year of service, the organization announced that Samuel (Sam) R. Clawson, Jr. has been named Chairman of the Board of Directors for fiscal year 2027, effective July 1.
Throughout his six years on the ABVI Board of Directors, Clawson has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ABVI’s mission of empowering individuals who are blind or low vision to live fulfilling, purpose-driven lives.
During his tenure as a Board Member, Clawson’s leadership and counsel helped guide ABVI through its statewide expansion, including a successful merger and the creation of the ABVI Foundation. Under his leadership as Board Chair, ABVI looks forward to continuing to expand access to vision rehabilitation services across South Carolina. Clawson is Partner and Co-Founder of Clawson, Fargnoli & Utsey, LLC.
“I am grateful for Sam’s leadership and commitment,” said Courtney P. Plotner, President and CEO of ABVI. “I am excited to partner with him as we continue expanding opportunities for individuals with vision loss throughout South Carolina.”
“ABVI is changing lives every day, and I am honored to serve as Board Chair during this exciting time,” said Clawson. “I look forward to working with the Board and leadership team to strengthen our impact and advance our mission across South Carolina.”
Clawson succeeds Kristen Gayeski Tinkler, OD, of the MUSC Storm Eye Institute, who served as Chair for two years. ABVI extends its sincere appreciation to Tinkler for her outstanding leadership, dedication, and service to the organization.
For more information about Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired SC, visit www.abvisc.org.
About Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired SC
Founded in 1936, the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina (ABVI) is celebrating 90 years of empowering individuals who are blind or low vision to live fulfilling, purpose driven lives. ABVI’s Adult Services support adults across South Carolina as they adjust to vision loss, learn new approaches to daily living, develop technology skills, build community, and gain safe travel skills. ABVI’s Children’s Services support children and young adults (ages 0–21) through three core programs focused on accessibility training: Early Intervention, School Age Services, and Transition Services. Across all programs, ABVI’s certified instructors provide essential independence training for individuals experiencing blindness or low vision.
