Camden City Councilman William Wilkes has been named Board Member of the Year by the Transportation Association of South Carolina (TASC), recognizing his leadership, regional advocacy, and work to expand access to public transportation in Camden and throughout Kershaw County.
Wilkes received the award Wednesday during the Transportation Association of South Carolina’s 2026 Annual Conference and Expo in Greenville.
Wilkes serves as the City of Camden’s representative on the Santee Wateree Regional Transportation Authority (SWRTA) Board of Directors and currently serves as chairman of the board.
During his tenure, Wilkes has worked to strengthen transportation options not only within Camden, but throughout rural Kershaw County. Among those efforts, he helped garner approximately $60,000 in funding support for transit services in Kershaw County, a significant increase from the approximately $1,000 previously provided annually.
He has also been actively involved in advancing the King Haigler Express, Camden’s fixed-route public transportation service, helping promote the route, build community awareness and identify opportunities for continued growth and improvement.
“I’m incredibly honored to receive this recognition, but the progress we’ve made at SWRTA has truly been a team effort,” Wilkes said. “I’m fortunate to serve alongside board members with an unwavering commitment to our region, and I’m grateful to my colleagues on Camden City Council for allowing me to go to Sumter and advocate for stronger public transportation.
“I’m especially thankful to Kershaw County Council. Their investment in rural transportation has allowed us to expand service across Kershaw County and reach more people who need it most. Transportation needs don’t stop at city or county lines, and neither should our efforts to meet them.”
“Councilman William Wilkes is truly deserving of TASC’s Board Member of the Year Award,” said Tanisha Gibbons, Executive Director of the Santee Wateree Regional Transportation Authority. “His leadership, commitment and advocacy have strengthened public transportation in Kershaw County and made a lasting impact on the communities we serve.”
Wilkes has also pursued community partnerships to strengthen SWRTA’s financial sustainability, helping secure advertising and bus-wrap commitments from organizations including the Alpha Center and MUSC.
His work has included support for modernizing the rider experience through cashless fare-payment options and continued advocacy for transportation as a critical link to healthcare, employment, groceries, government services and other everyday needs.
The Board Member of the Year recognition highlights Wilkes’ hands-on approach to board service and his commitment to collaboration among municipalities, counties, community organizations, and regional transportation leaders.
The Transportation Association of South Carolina brings together public transportation providers, human service organizations, government officials, and transportation professionals from across the state to support training, collaboration, and advancement of public transit in South Carolina.