JAMES ALBERT LANDER

South Carolina Comptroller General
Post Office Box 11228
Columbia, South Carolina 29211

Telephone Number: (803) 734-2121
Fax Number: (803) 734-2064
Email Address: cgoffice@cg.state.sc.us

James Albert Lander is the 40th Comptroller General of South Carolina.

Jim, as he prefers to be called, has a lengthy record of serving his community, state, and nation. He served in the State Senate until his election to the office of Comptroller General. While in the Senate, he was named Legislator of the Year by the South Carolina Association of Counties, by the South Carolina Association of the Deaf, and by the Advocates for the Rights of Citizens with Disabilities. During his tenure in the Senate, Lander served on the following committees: Agriculture and Natural Resources; Corrections and Penology; Education; Judiciary; Labor, Commerce, and Industry; and the Joint Legislative Committee for People with Disabilities, on which he served as chairman.

During his first term as Comptroller General, General Lander was elected by the National Association of State Comptrollers to serve on the Resolutions Committee and appointed by the Council on State Governments to the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. General Lander was also selected to be included in the most recent edition of the America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals.

General Lander’s active military service included tours in both Korea and Vietnam. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the U.S. Meritorious Service Medal, the Cross of Gallantry and the Armed Forces Honor Medal of the Republic of Vietnam, the S.C. Palmetto Cross, and the S.C. Distinguished Service Medal. Following his service in Korea and Vietnam, he served as Chief of Staff for the S.C. Army National Guard. General Lander’s military leadership credentials led to his selection as Commander and Major General of the South Carolina State Guard.

General Lander followed up his military career by remaining active in many veterans’ organizations, including the American Legion, the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Military Order of the World Wars, the Fort Jackson-Palmetto Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, and the Reserve Officers’ Association. He is a former national president of the State Guard Association of the United States.

Citing his extensive military knowledge and diplomacy, the Governor appointed General Lander to chair the newly established South Carolina Military Base Task Force. The Task Force is charged with coordinating efforts to maintain the current level of military presence in South Carolina. General Lander was also appointed by the Governor as Co-Chairman of the Palmetto Greatest Generation Project Council. This new program for high schools is designed to help teach the lessons of World War II and South Carolina’s role in it.

General Lander’s extensive civic dedication includes service as chairman of the Newberry County Literacy Association and as president of the Newberry Exchange Club. He received the Silver Beaver Award for his work as chairman of the Newberry Boy Scout District. He currently serves as chairman of the Newberry County Retired Seniors Volunteer Program and is a member of the Newberry Rotary Club and the Exchange Club of Newberry. The Exchange Club recently presented General Lander with the 2002 Book of Golden Deeds Award. He is a Master Mason and Shriner.

Governor Richard W. Riley acknowledged General Lander’s distinguished service to his state and nation by bestowing upon him the Order of the Palmetto, the State of South Carolina’s highest recognition. 

Jim Lander has both a Bachelor’s Degree and an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Lander University, which was founded by his great-grandfather.

Born in Abbeville, South Carolina, General Lander is the son of William Jones and Annie Cheatham Lander. He married Jolene Patricia Smith of Greenwood, South Carolina. The Landers are active members of the Newberry First Baptist Church, where he teaches Sunday school and has served as Chairman of Deacons. In June of this year, Jim and Jolene celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They are parents of seven children (two daughters deceased), sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandson.