At its meeting on March 2, the PEBA Board of Directors elected Joe W. “Rocky” Pearce, Jr. to complete the chairman’s term through June 30, 2022. Calvin H. Elam was elected the Board’s vice chairman.

Pearce, a Board member since 2012, has served as vice chairman since the Board’s first elections in December 2012. He also chaired the Board’s Health Care Policy Committee, and in that position has provided guidance in managing the health and prescription benefits PEBA administers.

Elam has been a Board member since 2019 and serves on the Board’s Health Care Policy Committee.

Peggy G. Boykin, executive director of PEBA, said, “Rocky has been a great asset to the Health Care Policy Committee and Board during his tenure. I look forward to his continued leadership and to working with Calvin as we all work together to serve those who serve South Carolina.”

Pearce, now retired, was Head of Student Health for American International Group (AIG). He has more than 42 years of experience in the insurance industry having begun his career in 1970 with Pearce & Pearce, Inc., the business established by his parents in 1948. His experience encompasses every aspect of claims administration including premium administration, waiver administration and underwriting implementation.

Pearce served two terms as Mayor of Florence from 1983-1991. During his tenure, Florence experienced unprecedented economic growth with many new industries locating in Florence County. After serving as Mayor, Pearce became Chairman of the Florence County Economic Development Partnership. In 2002, Pearce was awarded The Order of the Palmetto by the Governor of South Carolina and was named the 2002 South Carolina Ambassador for Economic Development. He has also served on various local and statewide Board of Directors.

Elam is a financial advisor with LPL and the CEO of EFinancial Advisors, a wealth management and insurance planning firm which he founded in July 1992. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree and the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA with a Master of Science in Financial Services degree. He holds the distinction of being the first African-American Brigadier General in the history of the S.C. Air National Guard and retired honorably with more than 33 years of military service.

In 2000, he was selected by The State newspaper in Columbia, SC, as one of 10 future business leaders of tomorrow. In 2013, he was named Distinguished Hospital Trustee of the Year by the South Carolina Hospital Association. In 2014, Elam was selected to be included in the prestigious AT&T African American History Calendar. Elam currently serves on various Boards of Trustees.