Neil Robinson elected to lead EOC as chairman

Columbia – Neil C. Robinson, Jr., a Charleston attorney, has been elected as the new Chairman of the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC), a term which will begin immediately. 

Robinson stated “I look forward to again leading this group of dedicated servants who are all passionate about serving students in SC,” stated Robinson. “It is a challenging time to be in education, but we are all dedicated to seeing that decisions are made that benefit all students.” 

Robinson was elected after the resignation of Ellen Weaver, who served as chair from 2019 to 2021 and resigned as Chair as she pursues a campaign for State Superintendent of Education. 

Robinson was appointed to the EOC in February 2005, to serve as the business representative of the President Pro Tempore of the South Carolina Senate. He has previously served two terms as Chair of the Committee. 

Founder and Past President of the Charleston Education Network, a private, non-profit advocacy organization, Robinson is Senior Counsel of the Nexsen Pruet law firm, specializing in real estate and economic development.. He is Chairman of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Vice Chairman of the Congressional Medal of Honor Leadership and Education Center, and has served as President of the Clemson University Advancement Foundation, the Clemson Real Estate Foundation, the South Carolina Tourism Council and the Governor’s Quality of Life Task Force. 

Robinson received his Bachelor of Science degree from Clemson University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina. He served as Assistant Dean of the USC Law School in 1973. In 1984, Robinson started Robinson Wall & Hastie, P.A., a firm that merged in 1991 with Nexsen Pruet, LLC. He has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, South Carolina Super Lawyers and Who’s Who in America. He was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Governor David Beasley and has received the Clemson University Distinguished Service Award and the University of South Carolina School of Law Platinum Compleat Lawyer Award. In 2015, he was selected the Real Estate Person of the Year by the March of Dimes. 

Robinson and his wife Vicki have three children: son Neil, III (Trey); and daughters Hunter (Forstchen); and Taylor Elizabeth. 

The SC Education Oversight Committee is an independent, non-partisan group made up of 18 educators, business persons, and elected leaders. Created in 1998, the committee is dedicated to reporting facts, measuring change, and promoting progress within South Carolina’s education system. 

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