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Mayor & City Council

Dear City Council Envelope (1) - Copy


To contact Council and city leadership directly, send an email to dearcitycouncil@cityofmyrtlebeach.comWant to watch City Council meetings online?  Click here.   For a complete list of past Council members, see our Who Served When:  Myrtle Beach City Council History webpage. 


Brenda Bethune Revize 2023 - CopyBrenda Bethune, Mayor
bbethune@cityofmyrtlebeach.com

Mayor Brenda Bethune is a native of Myrtle Beach who has always had a sincere passion to serve her community.  She owns BJ Investments, a property investment, development and rental company, as well as Magnolia Row Shopping Centre.  She was also the majority owner of Better Brands, Incorporated, where she gained more than 39 years of business development, sales and management experience.  She is a graduate of the Riley Mayors’ Design Fellowship through Clemson University and she serves on the Board of Directors of the Municipal Association of South Carolina.  Even though she has served on many local and state boards, her pride is in giving back to her community to make it a better place for generations to come.  Mayor Bethune loves her job as a public servant and when introduced to people, her common request is, “Please call me Brenda.”  Brenda Bethune was first elected in 2017 and was the first female Mayor of Myrtle Beach.

Mike Lowder Revize 2023 - Copy
Clyde "Mike" H. Lowder, Mayor Pro Tem
mlowder@cityofmyrtlebeach.com

Councilman Mike Lowder was elected to City Council in 2009.  He was re-elected in 2013, 2017 and 2021 for a term of office that will expire in January 2026.  Prior to his election, he served on the City of Myrtle Beach’s Board of Zoning Appeals.  Mr. Lowder is a graduate of Horry-Georgetown Technical College with a degree in Criminal Justice.  Councilman Mike Lowder served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and then worked for more than 26 years in the Myrtle Beach Police Department and Horry County Sheriff’s Office, completing his public law enforcement career as Chief Deputy of the Sheriff’s Office.  After his time in law enforcement, Mr. Mike Lowder became a private investigator, from which he retired in April 2022.  He is currently the operations manager for Oceanside Village in Surfside Beach.

Mike Chestnut Revize 2023 - CopyMichael "Mike" Chestnut, Councilmember
mchestnut@cityofmyrtlebeach.com

Councilman Mike Chestnut, a real estate agent and restaurateur, took office in November 2000 following his election to Myrtle Beach City Council.  He was re-elected in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023.  A long-time resident and businessperson in the Myrtle Beach community, Mr. Mike Chestnut owns and operates a restaurant in Myrtle Beach's downtown area.  He served on the Myrtle Beach Housing Authority prior to his election to City Council in 2000.  Councilman Michael Chestnut's current term continues until January 2028.  

Debbie Conner for Revize 2024Deborah “Debbie” K. Conner, Ph.D., Councilmember
dconner@cityofmyrtlebeach.com

Myrtle Beach Councilwoman Deborah “Debbie” K. Conner is a passionate, lifelong educator.  A proud South Carolinian, Debbie earned a bachelor’s degree from Converse College in Spartanburg, her master’s from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, and her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Clemson University.  Since 1994, Dr. Conner has worked at Coastal Carolina University, holding key administrative and faculty positions.  Locally, Councilwoman Conner has served on numerous boards, including CCU’s Jackson Family Center for Ethics and Values, Santee Cooper’s Customer Advisory Board, and the United Way of Horry County.  Debbie is an active member of First Methodist Church of Myrtle Beach.  For her commitment to her profession and community, Dr. Debbie Conner has been recognized with various honors.  She is a past recipient of the University of South Carolina Higher Education Graduate Program’s “Alumnus of the Year” Award.  Conner also won Leadership Grand Strand’s Ann DeBock Award in appreciation of her outstanding leadership and service to the greater Grand Strand community.  Elected in November 2023, Councilmember Debbie Conner’s four-year term continues until January 2028.


Jackie Vereen Revize 2023 - CopyJackie Hatley, Councilmember
jhatley@cityofmyrtlebeach.com

Councilwoman Jackie Vereen Hatley is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.  Mrs. Hatley offers more than 25 years of experience in the tourism industry as a hotel owner.  Jackie previously served on the City of Myrtle Beach's Community Appearance Board as well as the Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority Committee.  Councilwoman Hatley is an active member of the Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club and attends First Presbyterian Church of Myrtle Beach.  Jackie Vereen Hatley’s current term ends in January 2026.

Bill McClureBill McClure, Councilmember
bmcclure@cityofmyrtlebeach.com


A Washington, D.C. native, Councilman Bill McClure grew up in Virginia.  Now a Myrtle Beach resident, Bill has strong ties to the Palmetto State; his mother, Ruth Bridges McClure, was born, raised, and graduated from high school in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  Councilman McClure’s extensive background encompasses more than 40 years of experience in both business and government service, equipping him with a profound understanding of a community’s needs.  As a U.S. Army Veteran, McClure utilized the G.I. Bill to pursue his higher education.  He attended George Mason University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Economics and Business.  Bill’s dedication to serving Myrtle Beach spans nearly a decade, advocating for neighborhoods, small businesses, and first responders.  He is a proud 2023 graduate of the Myrtle Beach Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy, an experience that provided him with insight into the city’s public safety efforts.  Mr. McClure was elected to Myrtle Beach City Council in November 2023 and his four-year term continues through January 2028.  Motivated by his passion for serving citizens, businesses and visitors, Councilman Bill McClure vows to demonstrate his continued commitment to our city through active involvement.


Gregg Smith Revize 2023 - CopyGregg Smith, Councilmember
gsmith@cityofmyrtlebeach.com

City Councilman Gregg Smith is a graduate of Myrtle Beach High School and the University of South Carolina.  Currently, he is a Realtor with Century 21 Broadhurst.  In addition to his role as a councilmember, Mr. Smith represents the City of Myrtle Beach as a member of the Board of Directors for the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation and the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments.  Prior to serving on City Council, he served on the Board of Directors for the Grand Strand Miracle Leagues and Habitat for Humanity of Horry County organizations.  Smith’s current term continues through January 2026.