The Order of the Palmetto is considered the highest civilian honor in South Carolina. Recently, former Isle of Palms City Administrator Linda Tucker was awarded the state’s lifetime achievement for exceeding the expectations of her public service that spanned nearly four decades.
The prestigious award dates back to 1971, first awarded by then Gov. John C. West, recognizing those who have made significant contributions to the life and well-being to the state and her citizens. In the eyes of peers and fellow constituents, particularly Gov. Henry McMaster, along with a lengthy list of nominations from city officials and state representatives affirm that Tucker is more than deserving for the honor.
Over the past 50 years, more than 3,500 citizens have received the Order of the Palmetto. Tucker’s name is now forever etched on that list along with other notable individuals such as singer James Brown, author Pat Conroy, tap dancer Clayton “Peg Leg” Bates, General William Westmoreland, Civil Rights activist Septima Clark and the “Unknown Confederate Soldier.”
Tucker, a more than 40-year Isle of Palms resident, spent 35 of those years dedicating herself to local government. “I am honored to receive this recognition from Gov. McMaster and grateful to Rep. Mike Sottile for nominating me and championing my nomination through the process,” Tucker said. “I am humbled by all those who wrote letters of support and recommendation and will do my best going forward to live up to the faith they have put in me.”
After completing her studies at the University of Georgia, her career in public service began in the mid ‘70s as a public information specialist at Trident Technical College working in the President’s office. She then would go on to be a Technical Assistance Manager serving the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) where she secured numerous grants and loans from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency and Farmers Home Administration.
In 1991, she became the town administrator for the Town of Sullivan’s Island where she served for nine years. During that time the S.C. Municipal Association acknowledged her achievements for improving the town’s water quality and modernizing its water and sewer service. In 2000, Tucker was appointed to city administrator of the City of Isle of Palms, making her the first female city administrator and the longest serving to date.
“Linda Lovvorn Tucker views no task too great or too small for her attention,” said Sullivan’s Island mayor Pat O’Neil in a letter of nomination. “She can assemble a team to get a job done or can accomplish a task singularly. Her service to the State of South Carolina has been admirable.” O’Neil noted that during Tucker’s transition between island administrations, she would return to work evenings and weekends until the Town of Sullivan’s Island filled her position. “For a period of time, she successfully managed both islands.”
During her 18-year administration for the City of Isle of Palms, she shepherded the city through numerous public improvements to include drainage advancements, Front Beach enhancements, Isle of Palms Marina bulkhead/dock constructions, Recreation Center expansion, two multi-million dollar beach restorations and multiple disaster recoveries.
Sen. Chip Campsen noted in a letter of nomination that Tucker’s “hallmark” is her ability to assemble multi-funding packages from public/private partnership funding that permitted $25 million worth of beach restoration. Over time Tucker has helped complete an additional $28 million more in capital improvements on the island.
Throughout Tucker’s tenure, the city has won many local, federal and state grants and brought recognition to the city’s achievements through multiple municipal achievement awards. Isle of Palms received a local acknowledgement for being the Best Family Beach and a national award as Best Restored Beach in 2011. Tucker is a founding member and board member of the South Carolina Beach Advocates.
While at the BCD Council of Governments, she received an Innovation Award from the National Associate of Development Organizations for the hurricane Hugo Disaster Response. She was honored and, among others, given the title “Hero of Hugo” by the City of Isle of Palms.
“Elected officials can set direction but it is left to professional managers like Linda to make things happen,” said former Isle of Palms mayor Dick Cronin in a letter of nomination. “Linda welcomes and responds to everyone with a smile and a ‘can I help you attitude.’”
In her personal life, Tucker has served on the finance committee of the First United Methodist Church and for many years taught Sunday school classes. She has volunteered her services one a board of the new fund of the Coastal Community Foundation as well as served on the board of a ballet company in Charleston.
“My journey in public service has been extremely rewarding. I am especially thankful for all of the elected officials, colleagues, and friends who have helped me along the way,” Tucker said. “As Theodore Roosevelt said in his speech often referred to as ‘The Man in the Arena,’ I hope that my mark is that I have been the person “in the arena and daring greatly.”
“I also wish to give a loving ‘shout out’ to my family. When one chooses a career in public service, the whole family is in public service, and it requires decorum, commitment and sacrifice. My family has always managed to meet the challenges and support me with grace and good humor,” she added.
