Bobby Clair Jr., the man largely responsible for
guiding in the construction of the new Cooper River bridge on budget and a year
ahead of schedule, has been awarded the Order of the Palmetto for his
achievements.
Clair was nominated for the award, the state's highest civilian honor
bestowed by the governor, by several lawmakers, including state senators Glenn
McConnell and Chip Campsen. Campsen presented Clair with the award at a recent,
rather rowdy celebration in his honor: a roast at the Omar Shrine Temple in
Mount Pleasant attended by more than 150 people.
Since Gov. Mark Sanford took office in 2003, 171 citizens have been given the
award.
Clair, as engineer and director of special projects, was the state's top
watchdog throughout the bridge construction project. The eight-lane bridge,
which cost more than $632 million, was built in four years, one year ahead of
schedule. It opened to traffic July 16.
"I never imaged I would have the opportunity to be involved with a project
like the bridge, never mind being in charge of it," Clair said. "The award was a
surprise ... an honor."
Campsen, who presented Clair the award in the governor's absence, said Clair
seemed a logical nominee for the prestigious award. "In my mind, if anyone
deserved it, it was Bobby," Campsen said. "The bridge was the largest
infrastructure project in the state's history. And it went smoothly, largely
because of him."
Ellie Thomas, a Mount Pleasant accountant who only recently met Clair while
serving on a bridge- opening celebration committee, said that Clair has a way of
making you feel like you've known him for years.
"He commands a lot of respect when you meet him," Thomas said. "Everybody
knows he's in charge. You can tell he's spent a lot of time building those
skills."
In his letter to Clair, Gov. Sanford wrote, "you succeeded in winning the
respect and confidence of the many partners involved in bringing the largest
single infrastructure project in the history of the state Department of
Transportation to fruition."
He went on to write that Clair is known for his good humor, talent,
thoroughness and sound judgment, qualities that served him well during the
bridge's construction and during his tenure with the state transportation
department. Clair left his job with the state transportation department in
August after working for the state for 37 years.
Almost two weeks ago, Clair started his new job as vice president and South
Carolina program manager for HDR Inc., a architecture firm, in the company's
Charleston office.
Clair also is involved with a number of nonprofit organizations. He is a
member of the Exchange Club of St. Paul's Parish and the Blessed Sacrament
Church Building Committee, a board member for Habitat for Humanity, the Ronald
McDonald House and Trident Technical College Foundation, and an adviser to the
Trident's civil engineering program.
