The South Carolina Board of Paroles and Pardons is composed of seven members, one from each of the state's six congressional districts and the seventh in an at-large capacity. All are appointed by the Governor, subject to approval by the Senate. They serve six-year staggered terms and can be reappointed. If vacancies occur, the Governor selects a replacement before the term expires.
The Board is vested with the following statutory powers:
- Granting or denying paroles and pardons
- Revoking, modifying, or rehearing paroles
- Making recommendations on petitions for reprieves and commutations referred by the Governor
The positions of chairman, vice chairman and secretary are elected by majority vote of the Board.
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C. David Baxter – Chair
David Baxter was appointed in 2007. He is a Project Manager with AT&T and attended Virginia State College, Petersburg, Virginia. Mr. Baxter previously served on the Parole Board from 1995 to 2001, and served as board chair. He is a past member of the Leadership Greer Board of Directors, past Miracle Hill Board member and is a past board member of the YMCA. He is a Sunday School teacher and Deacon at Hampton Park Baptist Church and is a Christian School basketball coach.
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Orton Bellamy – Vice Chair
Orton Bellamy is a native of the Brooksville Community of North Myrtle Beach. He is a graduate of McKendree University, Lebanon, Illinois and holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the American Military University, Charles Town, West Virginia. He is a retired US Army Logistics Officer (CW3). Mr. Bellamy is a member of the Foster Military Masonic Lodge #67, Aahmes #33 Shrine Temple, Waccamaw Youth Council, Conway Lions Clubs, Conway Branch of the NAACP, Conway Area Beautification Committee, Horry County Clemson Extension Agency and Mt. Calvary #2 Missionary Baptist Church.
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Karen Walto – Secretary
Karen Walto of Tega Cay is a licensed registered nurse in South and North Carolina and active volunteer in the York County area and currently works for Hospice Care South Carolina as a registered nurse. She has worked as a volunteer for the York County Health Department. Until recently, she was a member of the SC Juvenile Parole Board and is presently the 16th Circuit representative on the Foster Care Review Board. Among her volunteer activities, Walton has served on the Governor’s Task Force on Juvenile Justice for the 16th Circuit since 2000; the Board of Zoning Administrators for Tega Cay since 2004; the Fort Mill Red Ribbon Chair since 1996; and as confirmation director for St. Philip Neri since 1990. She also has been an auxiliary probation officer for the Department of Juvenile Justice since 1996. Walto is a graduate of St. Anthony Hospital School of Nursing, Terre Haute, Indiana.
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Marvin Stevenson – Member
Marvin Stevenson of Marion was a long-time social studies teacher at Terrell's Bay High School and Attendance Supervisor of the Marion county schools. He is a former member and chairman of Marion County Council. He recently completed a term as Highway Commissioner for the Sixth Congressional District. The Allen University graduate has received many honors for distinguished service in his community, including the 1976 Citizen of the Year Award by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Outstanding Service Award by the Community Action Agency, Appreciation Award for Outstanding Service to the Clemson Extension Service, and numerous others. He is married to the former Doris J. Legette of Rains and they have one daughter, Marvaretta, an oncologist at Duke University Hospital.
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Alan D. Gardner – Member
Alan Gardner of Newberry was appointed to the Board in 2009. Mr. Gardner has owned and operated Gardner Insurance, a family business, since 1984. He formerly served as a Board Member and Vice President of the South Carolina Association of Auto Insurance Agents and was awarded thier Bruce Brown Legislative Award in 1997. Mr. Gardner has held numerous positions and appointments such as Governmental Affairs Director and Chief of Staff to the Lt. Governor of South Carolina from 2003-2004. In 2003, he was a member of the Consumer Credit Advisory Council, serving until his appointment to the Board of Trustees at John De La Howe School in 2004. He was elected Chairman of the Board in 2004 and served until 2009. In April of 2009, Mr. Gardner was awarded The Order of the Palmetto by Governor Sanford.
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Norris Ashford – Member
Norris Ashford is an automotive broker, realtor, and a personal fitness trainer. He served as a member and chair on the South Carolina Juvenile Justice Parole Board in 2007-2008. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina and has completed Leadership South Carolina (2000) and 100 Black Men of America's National Leadership Development Institute's Inaugural Class. He served as a volunteer for the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice, Lewis Greenview Elementary School and Eau Claire High School. He is actively involved with the Omicron Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.; 100 Black Men of Greater Columbia; Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce; and Columbia's Fatherhood Engagement Initiative.
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Dr. Beverly Rice McAdams – Member
Dr. McAdams currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Student Development at Anderson University. She has served in this capacity for approximately five years. Prior to this role, she served as Anderson's Associate Dean and Director of Freshman Programs. Dr. McAdams received her BA from Erskine College and her MA and Ph.D. from Clemson University. She currently serves on the boards of the Anderson County United Way, the Anderson Chamber of Commerce, the Anderson Women's Leadership Council, African American Leadership Council, and Anderson University Trojan Club. She is an active member of the Anderson Rotary Club, the South Carolina College Personnel Association (SCCPA) and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). She has been a member of Zion Church of God-Holiness for more than 40 years.
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