Staff & Board Members

Get to know the passionate people working behind the scenes at SEWE.

SEWE Team

John Powell

John Powell

President and CEO

A native of Greenville, North Carolina, and a graduate of Davidson College, John joined the SEWE staff full-time in April 2007. As President & CEO, John manages and supervises the day-to-day operations of the organization and guides the brand's long-term direction. He spends his free time in the outdoors and lives in downtown Charleston with his wife, Davy, young daughter, Caroline, border collie, Bonnie, and yellow lab, Abbott.

Contact John Powell
Meagan Trotta

Meagan Trotta

Marketing and Sales Director

Meagan spent her childhood between Vicenza, Italy, and various states in the U.S. before moving to Wilmington, North Carolina in 2008. Meagan graduated from The College of Charleston Honors College with a B.S. degree in Marketing. She joined the SEWE team in 2020 to assist with special projects and events and now serves as the Marketing and Sales Director. Meagan develops and implements the marketing, advertising, design and public relations strategies. She manages and executes all promotional efforts and marketing materials while helping guide the overall SEWE brand. Meagan resides in Downtown Charleston.

Contact Meagan Trotta
Mary Roberts

Mary Roberts

Originally from Lexington, Kentucky and a graduate of the University of Kentucky, Mary joined the SEWE team in 2011. As the former Marketing Director, she now focuses on continuing to develop the brand and its Corporate Partner program. Her decade-plus experience within the SEWE family allows her to help in shaping the brand's narrative, foster meaningful connections, and nurture strategic partnerships and help manage the ins and outs of SEWE weekend programming. Mary lives in Mount Pleasant with her husband, Ellis, and their four young boys and hound dog, Birdie.

Contact Mary Roberts
Hannah Shannon

Hannah Shannon

Special Events Director and Artist & VIP Relations

Hannah is a South Carolina native and College of Charleston graduate with a degree in Early Childhood Education. While attending CofC Hannah served as the Panhellenic Board President; it was in this role that she realized her passion for event coordination and love for creating strong relationships in the Lowcountry community. After graduation, she worked as a corporate & wedding coordinator in Charleston for several years. Hannah directs all Special Events and coordinates Artists, VIP and Educational Relations for SEWE. Hannah, her husband Ryan, and their dog, Jango, live on Johns Island with a baby girl on the way.

Contact Hannah Shannon
Julia Baker

Julia Baker

Gallery by SEWE Curator

Julia is a native of Greenwood, South Carolina. She spent her childhood on her family farm in Newberry where she grew her love of the outdoors and all that SC has to offer. Julia grew up attending SEWE. At the College of Charleston, she pursued studies in Arts Management and Studio Art. Julia manages and oversees SEWE's year-round gallery space, Gallery by SEWE. In her spare time, Julia enjoys hanging out at any local live music venue or spending time with her Boykin Spaniel, Indy.

Contact Julia Baker
Parker Walters

Parker Walters

Logistics Coordinator and Special Projects

A native to Charleston, Parker has grown up attending SEWE, with her dad as a board member and her mother previously in a marketing position. A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Parker puts her entrepreneurship major to use helping with day to day operations, merchandise and special events. Parker enjoys spending her time on the boat with friends and family.

Contact Parker Walters
Gabby Herrera

Gabby Herrera

Exhibits Coordinator

Gabby is a proud Texas native that graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor degree in Communications. She spent her time at Texas A&M serving as marketing director of Chi Omega and gaining a minor in event planning. After graduating she moved back home to Dallas to pursue her passion of Interior Design. Gabby's overwhelming love for the outdoors brought her out to Charleston and ultimately led her to pursue a career in the outdoor industry. She now serves as the Exhibit Coordinator and assists in the organization of all exhibitors at SEWE. Gabby lives in downtown Charleston and can be found spending her weekends watching college football or fly fishing.

Contact Gabby Herrera
Mary Frances Page

Mary Frances Page

Special Projects Coordinator

Mary Frances is a Summerville native, living in downtown Charleston. After studying Fashion Merchandising at University of South Carolina she worked various retail roles including buying and logistics; concentrating her interest in fashion, art, and building strong relationships. As a Lowcountry native she cares deeply about rural preservation and finds most of her free time spent volunteering at a local organic farm; practicing horticulture and her horsemanship skills. Her creative experience combined with her love for conservation and SC wildlife led her to pursue non-profits with a supported mission; SEWE was the obvious choice. She now represents the organizations VIP communications and strives to uphold SEWE’s mission; making conservation possible and accessible while celebrating a collective love for the outdoors.

Contact Mary Frances Page
Delaney Faile

Delaney Faile

Merchandise and Ticketing Coordinator

Delaney, a Charleston native, developed a deep connection with SEWE from attending at a young age. Currently a senior majoring in Arts Management at the College of Charleston, she embarked on her SEWE journey as an intern. Over time, Delaney has assumed responsibility for SEWE ticketing and merchandise fulfillment. Beyond her role with SEWE, you can catch Delaney showcasing her talents on the stage at the College of Charleston and Footlight Players.

Contact Delaney Faile

SEWE Board Members

Neil C. Robinson, Jr., Chairman

Maynard Nexsen, Senior Counsel

Charleston, South Carolina

Tommy Baker

Owner and President, Baker Motor Company

Charleston, South Carolina

George J. Bullwinkel, Jr.

SCANA Energy, Retired President and COO

Columbia, South Carolina

George J. Bullwinkel, III

Shareholder, Board of Directors, Maynard Nexsen

Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

Harry J. Butler, Jr.

Butler Properties, Chairman

Atlanta, Georgia

Senator Paul Campbell

Goose Creek, South Carolina

Mark C. Fava

The Boeing Company

Charleston, South Carolina

Ronnie M. Givens

Summerville, South Carolina

Thomas A. Hall

President, Halls Management Group

Charleston, South Carolina

Helen T. Hill

Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chief Executive Officer

Charleston, South Carolina

Leonard L. Hutchison, III

SVP and SC Region President at First National Bank

Charleston, South Carolina

Richard Jackson

C.R. Jackson Co., CEO

Columbia, South Carolina

Kenneth T. Seeger

Charleston, South Carolina

O.L. Thompson

Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

John F. Walters

M.D., FACEP

Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

Claudius E. Watts, IV

Charleston, South Carolina

Members Emeriti

Bill Hall*

Hall Management Group

Charleston, South Carolina

Jack Hanna

Retired, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, conservationist, author, and television personality

Columbus, Ohio

James A. Huggins

Retired, Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, President and CEO

Summerville, South Carolina

Dr. S. Lloyd Newberry

Retired, Dean of Faculty with the University System of Georgia, land developer, author and conservationist

Townsend, Georgia

* deceased

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