Barbara Melvin, former president and CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority, has stepped down from her role, ending a 27-year career with the agency. Her sudden resignation, announced last week, comes with a generous severance package valued at nearly $1 million, raising eyebrows across the state.
Resignation Follows Closed-Door Board Meeting
Melvin’s departure came just two days after an unexpected closed-door session held by the port authority’s board of directors. No public mention was made of her role during the meeting, and her resignation on August 21 was both abrupt and unexplained.
In her resignation letter, Melvin said she was stepping away to pursue “personal and professional opportunities” but did not share further details. The authority released a brief statement echoing the same reason.
Phil Padgett, who previously served as the authority’s CFO and VP of Administration, has taken over as interim president and CEO.
Breakdown of Her $1 Million Severance Package
Documents obtained by the SC Gazette show that Melvin’s severance includes:
$822,780 in pre-tax salary continuation through December 2025
A $100,000 contribution to her state retirement account
Hourly consulting work through year-end at a rate of $350/hour
The right to keep her work-issued iPad, laptop, and phone (after wiping authority data)
Payment for any unused leave time
Despite stepping down, Melvin may still support the authority’s leadership transition in a limited consulting capacity.
Challenges During Her Time as CEO
Melvin’s three-year tenure as CEO was far from smooth. She took the helm in July 2022, succeeding long-time CEO Jim Newsome, and immediately faced several major challenges:
1. Union Labor Dispute:
The authority lost a major legal battle with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) over crane operations. This led to the shutdown of the $1 billion Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston for nearly two years.
2. Union Pier Redevelopment Plan:
Melvin backed a controversial plan to turn the authority’s 70-acre Union Pier property into a mix of shops, housing, and public spaces. The plan was heavily criticised by preservationists and environmentalists, and eventually dropped. A new community planning process was also abandoned when the authority agreed to sell the land to Charleston billionaire Ben Navarro. That sale has yet to be finalised.
3. Delays in Rail Yard Project:
The taxpayer-funded rail yard project, crucial for moving cargo more efficiently, fell behind schedule and saw its budget jump from $550 million to $690 million. It was originally set to open in July 2025 but is now delayed until March 2027. Legislators complained about a lack of transparency during the project’s progress.
Notable Achievements and Economic Impact
Despite the controversies, Melvin also led several key infrastructure projects and left behind a legacy of economic growth:
Completed the Charleston Harbor deepening project, giving the port the deepest shipping channel on the East Coast.
Oversaw the purchase of a former WestRock paper mill near the North Charleston Terminal—paving the way for future cargo capacity expansion.
Helped the port maintain an estimated $87 billion in statewide economic impact.
Board chairman Bill Stern praised her leadership, stating:
“She has been instrumental in moving the Ports Authority in a positive direction as CEO these last three years… We wish her the best as she embarks on new challenges and opportunities.”
Barbara Melvin’s sudden exit from the South Carolina Ports Authority marks the end of a long, impactful, and at times controversial career. Her nearly $1 million severance deal, combined with a series of high-stakes challenges and accomplishments, leaves a mixed legacy at one of the state’s most important economic engines. As the authority transitions to new leadership, many will be watching closely to see how the next chapter unfolds at the Port of Charleston.
