The College of Charleston School of Business announces the appointment of Charles Pinckney “Buddy” Darby, III, CEO, Kiawah Development Partners, as Chair of its Board of Governors.  The invitation to Chair the Board came from Alan T. Shao, Dean of the School of Business, with the support of the Board’s executive committee.

Anita Zucker, chairperson and CEO of the Intertech Group, stepped down after four years of leading the board, and will remain a member of the board’s executive committee.  “We are extremely grateful to Anita for her service to the School of Business.  She is a friend and remains a champion of education on so many levels,” says Dean Shao.

Darby has the primary responsibility for Kiawah Island’s development activities and oversees all operations involved in developing the Island as one of the world’s top-rated golf and vacation destinations.

“The School of Business’ long-term strategy is to expand our academic programs and establish innovative, global partnerships.  The timing is ideal for Buddy Darby to assume the Chair of our Board,” says Dean Shao.  “His proven strategic planning and leadership experience is evident in his successful business achievements.  He is a well-established and respected community business leader and I look forward to working with him to build our reputation as a widely recognized business school.”
“This appointment is a tremendous opportunity to lead the Board in supporting the faculty and administration as they continue their important work of cultivating our next generation of business leaders,” says Darby.  “I’m honored to serve as the Chair of the Board of Governors and believe this will be an exciting way to continue working closely with the College, which I thoroughly enjoy.”

About Darby
Charles Pinckney “Buddy” Darby, III is CEO of Kiawah Development Partners.  Since leading the effort to acquire Kiawah Island from the Kuwaitis in 1988, Darby has held primary responsibility for Kiawah’s development activities, overseeing all operations involved in the development of the Island. He is particularly gratified by the fact that under his guidance, “Kiawah has evolved from a languishing regional attraction into one of the world’s most renowned golfing destinations,” garnering the 1996 ULI Award for Excellence, among other accolades.

Darby also expanded the appeal of Kiawah Island by leading the creation of neighborhood shopping at Freshfields Village.  In addition to Kiawah Island, Darby developed the Doonbeg Golf Club, located in County Clare, Ireland.  The Club features residential cottages, exceptional accommodations (The Lodge at Doonbeg Golf Club), and a Greg Norman-designed links course, which has been internationally recognized as a top-25 golfing destination by industry publications and travel writers.

Darby now has his sights set on 2,500 acres on the island of St. Kitts. The project, known as Christophe Harbour, will include a Tom Fazio-designed golf course, a five-star hotel and a 300 acre marina which will accommodate super yachts in a naturally protected harbor unlike any in the world.

Currently, Darby is President of the Kiawah Island Club and is a stockholder of The Beach Company.  He also serves on the Board of the MUSC Children’s Hospital, the Kiawah Island Community Association, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and The First Tee of Greater Charleston.