Pamela L. Christopher, of Anderson, has been sworn in as the new South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) Commissioner representing the 3 rd Congressional District. She replaces Ben Davis, who served as Commissioner before retiring in September 2020.
Christopher is President & CEO of the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce and oversees the day-to-day operations of the 800-plus business member organization.
Before taking the position of President & CEO of the Anderson Chamber in 2014, Christopher worked as a Chamber and economic development executive supporting local, regional, and state economic development efforts in South Carolina, Georgia and Wisconsin. During her career, Christopher has managed 825 successful economic development projects totaling nearly $3.7 billion in capital investment and more than 17,000 new jobs.
Prior positions held by Christopher include Executive Director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Economic Developer for the City of Monroe, WI; Executive Director of the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority of Jones County in Gray, GA; President & CEO of the Forsyth-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority of Monroe County in Forsyth, GA; Senior Director of Community Development & Government Affairs – Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce in Alpharetta, GA; Director of Economic Development for the Cobb Chamber of Commerce in Marietta, GA; and Economic Development Researcher for the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
She is a 2004 graduate of Economic Development Institute, University of Oklahoma, a 2005 graduate of the Institute for Organizational Management, University of Georgia, and holds a certificate from UNC-Charlotte in both Industry Location Factors and Strategic Planning. Christopher earned her CCE (Certified Chamber Executive) credentials in 2016, becoming one of fewer than 300 executives in the nation to have received this designation as a Chamber of Commerce professional. In 2015, she was named to the top 100 Most Influential Leaders in the Upstate by GSA Business, and she was recognized earlier this year as one of 25 Women of Influence for the Upstate by GSA Business.
Christopher and her husband, Larry, live in Anderson. Their oldest son, Larry, and his wife Adrianna currently reside in Wauwatosa, WI. Their youngest son, Jordan, and his wife Ashley, and their granddaughter Adalyn Grace, reside in Anderson.