Bio Details

Ambassador David 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 US - Canada interests. He proudly served as US 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 remains an active member of that board. He is on the board of directors of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and is a member of both the South Carolina Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Additionally, he sits on the boards of Porter Airlines and Mattamy Homes. In 2010, then South Carolina Governor-elect Nikki Haley tapped 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 the state’s highest honor, the Order of the Palmetto. Wilkins received his bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and his J.D. degree from University of South Carolina School of Law.

Wilkins has extensive legal, regulatory and governance experience, having served in a senior position in a law firm, as a US Ambassador and in the State House of Representatives. Wilkins’ legal and governance experience provides a valuable perspective to United’s Board making him well suited to serve.