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Columbia, S.C.– The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is under new leadership as of October 1.

Otis B. Rawl Jr. succeeded S. Hunter Howard Jr. as the new president and CEO of the Chamber. Rawl joined the Chamber in 2001 as vice president of public policy. In 2004, he was named chief operating officer, overseeing all of the Chamber’s operations, including public policy, legislative affairs, workforce development, administration, membership and communications.

Prior to joining the Chamber, Rawl worked with the South Carolina Department of Revenue for 23 years. He retired on November 30, 2001 as the deputy director for revenue and regulatory operations. In addition to his work at the Department of Revenue, Rawl served a six-month term with the South Carolina State Treasurer performing legislative work on several major tax bills and local reporting of debt limits. Also, the governor of South Carolina appointed Rawl as chief of staff of the Department of Public Safety in 1995.

A native of Lexington, Rawl graduated from the University of South Carolina and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the School of Government and International Studies with a major in Public Administration and minors in English and History.