Meet the Board

Chairman

Areas:

Horry County

Biography:

As chairman of the board, David Cox represents all of Horry County. He was first elected to the Horry County Board of Education in November 2008 as the representative for District 4, which includes parts of St. James and Socastee within the Burgess community. This is his first term of office as the chairman. He and his wife, Karen, live in the Market Common area on the south end of Myrtle Beach. Together they have eight children and 16 grandchildren. Mr. Cox graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in journalism and is presently employed by Elliott Realty as a realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Elliot Coastal Living.

Contact:

701 McKinley Way
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843.458.7345
Email: davidcox@horrycountyschools.net

Term Expires:  2026

Vice-Chair - District 8

Areas:

Carolina Forest, Conway, and Forestbrook

Biography:

Melanie Wellons was appointed to the Horry County Board of Education in April 2021. Ms. Wellons is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University and is the Vice President of Arnold’s Pools. Ms. Wellons served five years on the Carolina Forest High School Improvement Council and five years on the Carolina Forest Advisory Board. She and her husband, David T. Wellons, Jr, have two children, Madalyn Wellons and David T. Wellons, III.

Contact:

8262 Timber Ridge Road
Conway, SC 29526
843.455.1377
Email: melaniewellons@horrycountyschools.net

Term Expires: 2028

District 1

Areas:

Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach

Biography:

Mr. Koch (pronounced “cook”) was elected in November 2022. He is the director of operations at Christian Recovery Centers, providing the spiritual and educational tools necessary for recovery to those suffering from the illness of addiction. Previously, Mr. Koch has worked with Sea Haven as director of young adult services and with Shoreline Behavioral Health as a substance abuse specialist. He earned his bachelor's in human services with a concentration in family/youth services and administration from Purdue University. He is also a certified S.C. peer support specialist and completed his internship at Teen Challenge of Georgetown County. Mr. Koch is very active in Waterbrook Community Church and local Celebrate Recovery programs.

Contact:

478 Shellbank Drive
Longs, SC 29568
843.251.7373
Email: DavidKoch@horrycountyschools.net

Term Expires: 2026

District 2

Areas:

Carolina Forest and Myrtle Beach

Biography:

Debbie Edmonds was elected in November 2022. Formerly an educator and school administrator, she is currently the owner of Integra Fabrics, located in Loris, SC. She received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in K-8 education from the University of Georgia and a specialist degree in education administration from Clemson University. She and her husband, Ron, have one child and three grandchildren.

Contact:

9334 Lake Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
843.424.8406
Email: DebbieEdmonds@horrycountyschools.net

Term Expires: 2026

District 3

Areas:

Carolina Forest and Myrtle Beach

Biography:

Tracy Winters was appointed by the Horry County Board of Education in November 2021 to fulfill the unexpired term of her late husband, Ray Winters. Mrs. Winters was the office manager for The Law Offices of Ray H. Winters, P.C. in Myrtle Beach and received her Associate's Degree from Faulkner University in Bay Minette, Alabama. She has one daughter, Alyssa.

Tracy Winters served on the School Improvement Council at Ocean Bay Elementary School, was an active member of the PTO, and supported the Booster Club at Carolina Forest High School.  

Contact:

9067 Abingdon Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
Phone: (843) 457-0878
Email: TracyWinters@horrycountyschools.net

Term Expires:  2026

District 4

Areas:

Myrtle Beach, Socastee, and St. James

Biography:

Wendy Hodges was appointed to the Horry County Board of Education in March 2023. Formerly an English teacher and a Curriculum Specialist in Horry County Schools, she is currently a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage in Myrtle Beach, SC. She received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education - English and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of South Carolina.

Contact:

750 Murray Ave.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843.997.6664
Email: wendyhodges@horrycountyschools.net

Term Expires: 2028

District 5

Areas:

Surfside and St. James

Biography:

Howard Barnard was elected to represent District 5 in November of 2020. He is a retired fighter pilot and colonel in the United States Airforce. He has a BBA in Economics from the University of Georgia and an MBA from the University of Oklahoma. He and his wife, Marga, have a son and daughter and five grandchildren.

Contact:

119 N. Ocean Blvd
Surfside Beach, SC 29575
843.213.8770
Email: hbarnard@horrycountyschools.net

Term Expires:  2028

District 6

Areas:

Carolina Forest, St. James, and Socastee

Biography:

Pam Dawson was elected in November 2022. She is a retired professional telecommunications program manager with a focus on the defense industry with companies in the aerospace sector. She has previously served on the Horry County Planning Commission, the Horry County Parks and Open Space Board, the Greater Burgess Community Association, and the Prince Creek West Road and Parks Association. She received a bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration from the University of Alabama.

Contact:

113 Dreamland Drive
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
843.471.3748
Email: PamDawson@horrycountyschools.net

Term Expires: 2026

District 7

Areas:

Carolina Forest and Conway

Biography:

Janet Graham was appointed to the Horry County Board of Education in September 2012 and was elected in November 2014. Ms. Graham is an area manager for the Myrtle Beach Area Small Business Development Center at Coastal Carolina University. She received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Coastal Carolina University in 2000 and a Master of Business Administration degree from Winthrop University in 2004. She and her husband, Gregory, have three children and nine grandchildren.

Contact:

2207 Hare Street
Conway, SC 29526
843.349.5070
Email: janetgraham@horrycountyschools.net

Term Expires: 2026

District 9

Areas:

Green Sea Floyds, Loris, & North Myrtle Beach

Biography: 

James Edwards was elected to represent District 9, which serves Green Sea Floyds, Loris, and North Myrtle Beach. He is the President/Owner of Inland Associates, INC. where he provides real estate services as a NC & SC General Certified Real Estate Appraiser, a Realtor, and a Real Estate Property Manager.  Mr. Edwards is a former instructor of licensing & continuing education classes at Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, NC as well as at Horry Georgetown Technical College in Conway, SC.  He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina as well as studying Industrial Engineering at North Carolina State University.  Mr. Edwards is the past President of the Loris Chamber of Commerce and is currently President of the Loris Historical Society.  He is also an active member and treasurer of Dogwood Hill Baptist Church.  He and his wife Amy have two daughters and three grandchildren. 

Contact:

1930 W. Dogwood Rd
Loris, SC 29569
843.340.6541
Email: jamesedwards@horrycountyschools.net

Term Expires: 2028

District 10

Areas: 

Carolina Forest, Conway, Green Sea Floyds, and Loris

Biography:

Neil James was appointed to the Horry County Board of Education in November 2009 and elected to office in 2010, 2014, and 2018. He served as Interim Chair from May 2018 through January 2019. Mr. James is a professional engineer and holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in Agricultural Engineering and Electrical Engineering from Clemson University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Webster University. He is employed by Santee Cooper. He and his wife, Felicia, have two daughters and one grandchild.

Contact:

2950 Loop Road
Loris, SC 29569
843.756.2500
Email: neiljames@horrycountyschools.net

Term Expires:  2026

District 11

Areas:

Aynor, Conway, and Green Sea Floyds

Biography:

Darrell Ricketts was elected in November 2024. He received a bachelor’s in agricultural education from Clemson University in 1985 and a master’s in educational administration from the University of South Carolina in 1990. Mr. Ricketts is a retired educator who has worked with Horry County Schools for over 38 years as a teacher and administrator. During his career, he was named Teacher of the Year at Green Sea Floyds High School and Socastee High School, and he was 2nd Runner-Up for Horry County Teacher of the Year. He received the William B. Harley Administrator of the Year Award for SC in 2003.  He and his wife, Lisa, have two sons and five grandchildren.

Contact:

PO Box 634
Aynor SC 29511
843-333-4832
Email:  dricketts@horrycountyschools.net

Term Expires:  2028