James Stephens awarded the Order of the Palmetto at the SCAA Conference

SPARTANBURG, SC – On behalf of Governor Henry McMaster, the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission (SCAC) Chairman, Delphin A. Gantt, Jr. presented James D. Stephens, the Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU) Director, the Order of the Palmetto at the South Carolina Aviation Association Annual Conference on February 16, 2023. Stephens received the award for his efforts promoting aviation for the state as the Executive Director of the SCAC.

The Order of the Palmetto is the state’s highest civilian honor awarded to South Carolinians for a lifetime of service and achievements of national or statewide significance. Governor John C. West gave the first award in the summer of 1971 to recognize outstanding achievements in service to the state. The award is reviewed by a non-partisan panel using an established criteria and a nomination process.

“It really is an honor to present James this prestigious award on behalf of the honorable Governor Henry McMaster for his motivation and innovative ideas to promote aviation for the state of South Carolina,” said Gantt. “His efforts in the eight years as the Executive Director were monumental from providing key educational grants and managing the division implementation of an Unmanned Aircraft System and statewide Land Use program; both of which resulted in the Most Innovative State Award from the National Association of State Aviation Officials.”

Stephens graduated from Bob Jones University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Management in 2002 and an Associate Degree in Aircraft Maintenance in 2001. He worked his way up through various positions from maintenance coordinator to airport director and gained a gestalt perspective of aviation at every level. This understanding helped Stephens assist with legislative and interagency efforts to increase the State Aviation Fund and how it is funded.

Stephens recently stepped down as the Executive Director of the SCAC to take over as the Greenville Downtown Airport Director on October 1, 2022. This move brought James and his family back home to Greenville County.

?“A lot of things were mentioned today but those successes were not this guy. Those successes were accomplished by all of you. Success is built on a foundation. I didn’t start the efforts here to promote and grow aviation. I was hired to do that. It was the faith and support from the staff and others to make that happen. All work done before me set the stage for any success,” said Stephens. “My beautiful wife and daughters are always supportive and really allow me to have fun in aviation. I look forward to continuing the work in South Carolina aviation through the Greenville Downtown Airport and the aviation association.”????

South Carolina Aviation Association and the Greenville Downtown Airport.

The South Carolina Aviation Association actively promotes and encourages aviation and airport development to meet air transportation needs and assists the state in achieving economic development goals. Its membership is comprised of airports and aviators across South Carolina, as well as aviation industry partners. For more information, please visit www.scaaonline.com.

?The Greenville Downtown Airport is the busiest general aviation airport in South Carolina. The airport is home to over 40 aviation related businesses and tenants creating 547 jobs and contributing over $68.8 million to the Upstate economy. GMU has served our community since 1928 and continues that connection today. More at www.greenvilledowntownairport.com.