Principals

Steve Benjamin is an accomplished attorney and businessman in Columbia, South Carolina. Mr. Benjamin’s law practice emphasizes governmental strategic planning, government affairs municipal finance general business matters. He has served as co-bond counsel on over $150 million in public debt issues. Licensed to practice before all state courts in South Carolina, the U.S. District Court, Federal District of South Carolina and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit he has been recognized by his peers as the SC Young Lawyer of the Year and the National Bar Association Young Lawyer of the Year.

Formerly, Mr. Benjamin served in former SC Governor Jim Hodges’ Cabinet, as Regional Manager of Public Affairs for International Paper Company, as Manager of Corporate Affairs at Carolina Power & Light Company.

Mr. Benjamin who serves as a member of the Boards of Directors of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce is also a Liberty Fellow. He received his Bachelors Degree in Political Science from the University of South Carolina in 1991, and his J.D. Degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1994.

Jonathan N. Pinson, is the Managing Partner for Pindrum Staffing Services, Inc. (www.pindrum.com), the largest minority-owned and operated staffing company in the State of South Carolina.  From its inception, Mr. Pinson has managed to develop and guide his company from 3 employees in 1993 to a company that in 2003 employed in excess of 900 employees and generated over $30 million in revenues.  His company provides personnel to some of largest companies in the state and the nation, such as, the BMW Manufacturing Plant, FedEx, Michelin Tire Corporation, General Electric Corp, Lockheed-Martin, Advantica Foods Group, and Ahold USA.  Mr. Pinson is also President of Cascades Food Group, Inc., a minority-owned food processing company, located in Greer, SC with plant facilities located in Warden, Washington. 

He is a Member of Greenville’s Peace Center Board, a Member of the Greenville Hospital Eastside Advisory Board and recently participated as Member of the South Carolina Cuban Delegation.  He is a past Executive Board Member of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, a past Executive Board of the Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council, and Greenville Urban League.  

Mr. Pinson who is also a Liberty Fellow received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from South Carolina State University in 1992.