Ronald Bessant, a member of the Horry County Board of Education, was elected president-elect of the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) during the association’s annual business meeting December 1 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Hilton Head Island.

Bessant was first elected to the Horry County Board of Education in 1990 representing District Nine, which includes Loris, North Myrtle Beach and a portion of Green Sea Floyds. He was elected vice chairman in November 2004 and has served on several board committees including curriculum, operations and finance, building and school naming.

Since his election to the SCSBA Board of Directors in 2000, he has served as secretary, treasurer, vice president, and as the Region 4 Director serving school boards in Dillon, Horry and Marion counties. He also has served on several board committees, including awards, nominating, and policy and constitution.

As a member of the SC Caucus of Black School Board Members and the national association’s caucus, Bessant has attended numerous state and national school board events. He is a member and deacon at Chesterfield Missionary Baptist Church. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, Silver Star Lodge 333 where he serves as past master.

An Horry County native, Bessant graduated from Conway High School and attended Coastal Carolina University. He is certified in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Stratford Career Institute. He and his wife, Katie, have three children and nine grandchildren.