Bio Details

Mr. Wilkins has extensive legal, regulatory and governance experience, having served senior position in a national law firm and as a U.S. Ambassador and Member of a State House of Representatives. Mr. Wilkins’ legal and governance experience provides a valuable perspective to United Community’s Board of Directors.

Career Highlights

Ambassador Wilkins is a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP in Greenville, South Carolina and chairs the Public Policy and International Law practice group with a special focus on U.S. — Canada interests. He proudly served as U.S. Ambassador to Canada from June 2005 to January 2009, appointed by President George W. Bush.

Since returning to South Carolina from Canada, Ambassador Wilkins spent six years chairing the Clemson University Board of Trustees and now serves as a Trustee Emeritus to that board. Additionally, he served as a director on several corporate boards over the past ten years. He is a member of both the South Carolina Bar Association and the American Bar Association. In 2010, South Carolina’s then Governor-elect Nikki Haley tapped Mr. Wilkins to chair her government transition team. First elected in 1980, Ambassador Wilkins served 25 years in the South Carolina House of Representatives. He was elected speaker in 1994, a position he held for 11 years until he resigned for his ambassadorship post. He is the recipient of numerous awards including South Carolina’s highest honor, the Order of the Palmetto.

Education

Mr. Wilkins received his bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and his J.D. degree from University of South Carolina School of Law.