Harry M. Lightsey III

Harry M. Lightsey III was appointed by Governor Henry McMaster to serve as Secretary of Commerce in June 2021. Since his confirmation, Lightsey has led the agency’s globally competitive recruitment strategy – leveraged through the “Launch to Legacy” brand – for South Carolina’s evolving target industries, resulting in multiple years of historic economic development performance.

Under Lightsey’s leadership, the state has secured some of the largest and most transformative projects in South Carolina history. Among the landmark announcements are Redwood Materials’ $3.5 billion investment in Berkeley County to establish a closed-loop battery materials supply chain; Scout Motors’ $2 billion investment in Richland County to revive a classic American automotive brand as an electric vehicle; and BMW Manufacturing’s $1.7 billion expansion to support electric vehicle production at Plant Spartanburg.

Lightsey leads the agency with an open and collaborative approach, working alongside the state’s executive and legislative leaders to align South Carolina’s economy for sustained, long-term growth. As part of this effort, he championed the establishment and federal designation for the Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy (SC NEXUS), elevating South Carolina’s position in advanced energy and mobility innovation. This effort also ensures businesses remain nimble, innovative and successful by expanding the agency’s breadth of complimentary services.

A fixture in South Carolina’s business community for decades, Lightsey served in top executive leadership roles for major corporations in South Carolina and across the nation. Notably, he served as the president of BellSouth Telecommunications for South Carolina prior to the company’s merger with AT&T, afterward becoming president for AT&T’s Southeast region.

Following his 26 years in the telecommunications industry, Lightsey joined the General Motors Corporation where he directed the legacy automaker’s federal government affairs operation, as well as the emerging technologies, OnStar and infotainment divisions. Lightsey most recently served as a principal with Hawksbill Advisors – a subsidiary of Hawksbill Group. He has also served as a member of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond, Virginia.

Lightsey is a 1978 graduate of Princeton University, and a 1981 graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law.

A native of Columbia, S.C., Lightsey is married with two adult children.