The Pee Dee Land Trust recently bid a fond farewell to two retiring board members, including Earl Dutton from Dillon County.
Dutton, who represented Dillon County on the land trust board for two four-year terms (the maximum permitted under the organization’s bylaws), witnessed the growth of the land trust from an all-volunteer organization into the fully-staffed, professional outfit it has become today.
“It has been a privilege to serve an organization that has done so much in such a short period of time,” reflected Dutton. “We have accomplished the bulk of what we set out to do when we first developed a strategic plan back in 2005, even during these difficult economic times. While I will miss serving on this board, I will always be involved with the Pee Dee Land Trust,” Dutton concluded.
Dutton began his service on the PDLT board in 2004 and served two, four-year terms representing Dillon County. His service on the board was critical during the formative years of the land trust, with Mr. Dutton serving on the Finance Committee. Dutton’s role with the Little Pee Dee River Scenic Advisory Committee was also invaluable to the land trust as he helped organize paddling trips to bring awareness to the river.
Filling the seat vacated by Dutton is Dickie Sherman of the Minturn community in Dillon County.
Sherman, a native of Dillon County, owns Minturn Spraying, an aerial application business, and Silva Tech services, a forestry ground application business. He is an active member of the Dillon community, serving in several leadership positions at Carolina Presbyterian Church and also helping to organize the Dillon County Forest Landowners Association.
Sherman is married to Janet and has two grown sons. A long time supporter of the land trust, he looks forward to “making contributions to the betterment of the natural resources that I have grown to love so much.” Sherman’s first term of office began January 1, 2012, and will run through December 31, 2015. At that time, he will be eligible to serve a second term. Charlie Vance of Dillon also represents Dillon County on the Pee Dee Land Trust board.
Also retiring from the board effective December 31, 2011 was Heath Ruffner of Chesterfield County. Like Mr. Dutton, Mr. Ruffner had served two full terms beginning in 2004. Mr. Ruffner, an attorney in Cheraw, served as Treasurer of the land trust from 2008-10.
The mission of the Pee Dee Land Trust is to conserve, and to promote an appreciation of, the natural, agricultural, and historical resources in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina. The land trust works in the Pee Dee counties of Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro, and Williamsburg. For more information, visit www.peedeelandtrust.org or call (843) 661-1135.