2012-2013 Commissioners
Thomas J. O'Rourke, Executive Director
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Benjamin W. Cooke
Chair
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Mattese Lecque
Vice-Chair
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Andrew Thomas
Secretary/Treasurer
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Benjamin W. Cooke, Chair
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Benjy Cooke is a native South Carolinian, raised in Greenville. After graduating from The University of South Carolina in 1995 with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, he lived seasonally in Nantucket, MA; Steamboat Springs, CO; Clyde Park, MT; and Wickenburg, AZ. He returned to the state and settled in Charleston, his permanent home since 1998. He co-founded and is a partner in the commercial real estate firm Oswald Cooke & Associates. Having been originally appointed to CCPRC in 2009, he was re-appointed to a second term in 2011. He has been active in the Mount Pleasant Recreation Department for many years and works to promote and participate in local charities, including Habitat for Humanity, Share Our Suzy, and Hands of Charleston. Mr. Cooke and his wife Brandi live in Mount Pleasant with their daughter Anna Clark and son Benjamin. He enjoys playing golf and writing, and has been published in both The Charleston Review and Oblique Magazine.
Mattese Lecque, Vice-Chair
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Mattese Lecque is a native Charlestonian and a graduate of Burke High School. Throughout Mattese’s life she has been a lifelong student. She received her Physicians Assistant Degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1978 as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Arts and Health Care Administration, and a Masters Degree in Health Services Administration from Saint Josephs College in Windham, Maine. Mattese joined the US Army Reserves in January 1975 and in 2001 retired as a Major, (0-4) in the Medical Services Corps. She also retired from 24 years of service with the Federal Department of Justice. Currently an active member of Saint Peter’s AME Church in North Charleston, she holds the position of Trustee Board Officer and Financial Secretary of the St. Peter’s Foundation. She is the Chairperson of the Burke Foundation for Student Enrichment and Mentoring, the Treasurer of the North Charleston High School PTSA, a member of the Charleston Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and serves as the Political and Social Action Chairperson. Mattese has served as Vice-President of the Charleston Democratic Women, the YWCA Board of Trustees, the First Vice President of the Charleston County Democratic Party, as well as worked with the Liberty Hill Improvement Council. Matese is married to James E. Lecque. She has four stepsons, six grandchildren. She is the mother of a deceased son who passed away in 2003 at the age of 37.
Andrew Thomas, Secretary-Treasurer
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Andy Thomas graduated from James Island High School in 1987 and attended Clemson University, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Financial Management in 1991. As a college student, he was employed as a beach lifeguard for Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission’s Folly Beach County Park. Andy became a bank branch manager in 1992 and currently serves as a Senior Commercial Client Manager with First Federal. A 20-year tenure of volunteering in the Charleston community includes organizations such as the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Charleston County Public Schools Mentor Program, Trident United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Ducks Unlimited, SC Waterfowl Association, Junior Achievement, Mason Preparatory School, Saint Andrews Parks and Playground, and the SCORE Small Business Program. Andy supports youth sports on James Island and the James Island Charter High School athletics. He has served as a volunteer coach and/or a booster club officer for James Island Charter High School, Fort Johnson Middle School, City of Charleston Recreation Department on James Island, and the James Island Youth Soccer Club. Mr. Thomas resides on James Island with his wife, Costa, and his daughter, Hampden. Andy’s son, Robert Moody, attends The Citadel and is on the Bulldog’s baseball team. Andy loves the outdoors and enjoys hunting and fishing. Still trying to hold onto a fading dream of being able to call himself an athlete, Andy completed a full marathon in 2009 and his first sprint triathlon in 2011.
Lisa S. King
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Lisa S. King is the daughter of Mrs. Richardine Alston and Mr. Charles and Thelma Shine. Upon graduating from Wando High School, Lisa pursued higher education at the University of South Carolina. She furthered her studies with a Masters Degree in Computer Resources and Information Management. Lisa is currently employed a Senior Systems Analyst for Charleston Water Systems. Lisa was first appointed to the Commission in 2004, served as Vice Chair from 2005 to 2006, and served as Chair from 2008-2010. During her time, she also chaired the Finance Committee and the Planning and Development Committee. Lisa has seen unprecedented growth during her time on the Commission. She is actively involved with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., chairing a Regional position, and serves on a national committee of this 200,000 plus international membership organization. Lisa also sits on the Board of Ladies Enriching the Community, (LETC, INC.) a non-profit foundation. Lisa and her husband, John, have two children. Daughter Ashley is pursuing a Business Degree at Charleston Southern University and son Ryan is currently at Furman University where he is also a member of the Paladin football team.
Jeff Gladwell
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Jeff Gladwell was born in South Charleston, WV and raised in Nitro, WV. While in high school and college at Concord College in Athens, WV he played basketball and served as a camp counselor at the WV Baptist Camp and Camp Thomas E. Lightfoot, a summer camp for children of Eastern Gas & Fuel in Hinton, WV. Jeff is a US Air Force Veteran and a retired Material Handling Salesman of Indoff Inc. out of St. Louis, MO. He has lived in Charleston for the past 45 years, where he served 21 years as a Commissioner for the St. Andrews Parks and Playground Commission, 17 of those years as it's Chairman. Jeff and his wife Judy have been married 47 years, are members of Pinecrest Baptist Church, and have one son, Matt, and 3 grandchildren, Maddie, Gray, and Benjamin.
Ravi Sanyal
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Ravi Sanyal was born in New York City and grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY. His mother’s family is originally from Charleston, so the Lowcountry became Ravi’s second home. Growing up, Ravi spent most summers in Charleston visiting James Island and Palmetto Islands county parks. Ravi’s family’s favorite beach destination was Kiawah Beachwalker Park, where crabbing was a favorite family activity. Eventually, Ravi’s family moved back to the Charleston area, and Ravi settled here permanently. Ravi began his legal career as an Assistant Solicitor for the Ninth Judicial Circuit and is currently the owner and operator of the Sanyal Law Firm. Ravi joined the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission in 2007 and was elected Chair in 2011 and again in 2012. Ravi remains active in the Charleston County Bar Association and was on the Executive Committee for The Charleston County Bar in 2005. Ravi lives in Charleston with his wife Kathryn and their two children.
Wes Lybrand
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Wesley Lybrand is a Charleston native who grew up on James Island. Mr. Lybrand graduated from James Island Christian School, and says he has always enjoyed the outdoors and being active in the community. As a former state surfing champion, Mr. Lybrand has an affinity for the water and the area’s beaches. He also enjoys being actively involved with local park and recreation programs and facilities. |
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