Bob Staton named Executive VP for External Relations

November 21, 2006

Presbyterian College President John Griffith has announced that alumnus Robert E. Staton, Sr. of Lexington, S.C. will join the college's administration as executive vice president for external relations beginning January 1.

Staton, a seasoned business and civic leader, will coordinate major strategic initiatives and the work of offices responsible for resource generation - fundraising, communications, constituent relations, marketing, and enrollment management.

"Bob brings to his alma mater a wealth of experience with management, campaigns, marketing, and public relations, as well as an intimate knowledge of Presbyterian College and its programs," Griffith said. "He joins a very strong team in development, constituent relations, communications, and enrollment management that is focused on completing the initiatives set forth in the college's strategic plan. The experience Bob has gained in both business and non-profit volunteer efforts, as well as his exceptional leadership experience, will be invaluable."

Staton is a 1968 graduate of Presbyterian College and a 1971 graduate of the USC School of Law. He has served as a partner in the law firm Quinn, Brown, Staton, and Boyle, as chairman of Carolina National Bank, and as chairman, president, and CEO of Colonial Life Insurance.

After retiring from a 17-year career with Colonial Life in 2001, Staton served for three years as president of the United Way of South Carolina and, during a transition year, served the University of South Carolina as interim vice president for development. The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce honored him in 1998 as its Business Leader of the Year, the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce named him as its Ambassador of the Year in 2000; and he was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the highest honor given to a civilian in the state of South Carolina, in 2001. Staton also accepted the Order of the Silver Crescent from Gov. Mark Sanford for his service and leadership to South Carolina's education system.

Staton has chaired the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee, the United Way of the Midlands, the Palmetto Business Forum, the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties, The River Alliance, and the Columbia Urban League. He also has served on the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Education Council.

A member of the Presbyterian College Board of Trustees since 1997, Staton has chaired the college's human resource committee and served as a member of the student life, insurance, external relations and resource development, and executive committees. He also has served since 2002 as chair of the college's Promise and Challenge capital campaign, an initiative that has raised $95 million in cash and pledges.

"I'm looking forward to working with everyone at PC to advance our strategic plan," Staton said. "This is a great time to be at PC. I believe we are well positioned as a college and I look forward to taking us to the next level. This job represents a unique opportunity for me, personally, to work with my alma mater in a different role. I hope my experiences as a student, as an alumnus who sent his children to PC, as chairman of the Promise and Challenge campaign, and as a member of the board will be of benefit to the school"