Meet our Lobbyists

The lobbying team of RISE SC are members of AR Consultants, a newly formed affiliate of Austin & Rogers, PA, created to expand representation of clients on governmental relations matters at federal, state and local levels.

BERNICE GREEN SCOTT
Bernice G. Scott was born in Eastover, South Carolina on November 16, 1944. She has over twenty years of experience working for our state and federal government, she has excelled as a legal assistant and is regarded as an effective lobbyist and on outstanding public relations professional, a skilled analyst and an astute problem solver.

Ms. Scott's successful lobbying efforts have included having a positive impact on the embitterment of the public utility and management (inclusive of obtaining $3 million dollar Federal sewer grant), law enforcement, public safety, fire protection and health care services for Richland County citizens. Ms. Scott has also served in the Office of the Governor, South Carolina as the Director of Community Relations. During which time she identified and evaluated issues of public concern arising from political legislative, regulatory and legal activity within the state and the nation. While in the Governor’s Office, she developed and built relationships with community leaders, state legislators, members of Congress and the business community. She was also responsible for providing assistance with and education about legislative issues for communities throughout South Carolina and coordinated various community development projects.

Since 1988, Bernice has been a Council Member of the Richland County Council Government, Columbia, South Carolina.

DAMON C. JETER
Damon C. Jeter is a native of Columbia, South Carolina. He was educated at Howard University and received his BS degree at the University of South Carolina.

Damon served as an Executive Assistant for South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. He was the Legislative Liaison for the South Carolina State Treasurer's Office representing the agency and the Board of Financial Institutions before the South Carolina General Assembly. In 2002, Damon became Public Relations Manager for Governmental Consultants, Inc.

Since November 2004, Damon has served on the Richland County Council, where he currently represents Council District Three. Damon has also served as an at-large member of the Richland County School District One Board of Commissioners.

JEFFERSON D. GRIFFITH, III
Jefferson D. Griffith, III is a native of Saluda, South Carolina. He is a member of the Columbia law firm of Austin, Lewis & Rogers, PA, where he has practiced since 2002 as a contract lobbyist for Duke Energy in South Carolina and has a General Practice focusing on Regulatory Matters.

In 1979, Jeff became a partner at Griffith, Coleman, Sawyer & Griffith. From 1984 until 2000, Jeff served as Associate General Counsel for Duke Power Energy. In 2000, Jeff became the Regional Director of State Governmental Affairs until 2002. He served as a liaison to the South Carolina General Assembly on legislation of import to Duke Energy and as a liaison to Public Service Commission of South Carolina on regulatory matters.

Jeff is Of Counsel for the Law Offices of C. C. Harness, III and He is also a member of the South Carolina Bar, North Carolina Bar and a Certified South Carolina Court Mediator.