TEAM / DeWitt Zemp
DeWitt Zemp joined The Southern Group’s South Carolina office in 2007. His career spans more than 30 years, including working for three presidents. Specifically, he served as President George H. W. Bush’s South Carolina regional political representative and as President George W. Bush’s director of financial management and planning before being named the deputy director of global advance operations, where he played a pivotal role in coordinating the president’s U.S. and global agenda, communications, and messaging. Under President Trump, DeWitt has worked closely with the U.S. Department of State to plan major global policy initiatives.
As a Presidential Appointee, DeWitt led multiple presidents’ international initiatives throughout the world where he managed the operations, logistics, cybersecurity, and security in coordination with the White House Communications Agency, the Air Force, the Marine Detachments, the State Department, and the U.S. Secret Service.
During his career in and out of government service, DeWitt has worked with the governments of over 100 countries worldwide. DeWitt and Andy Patrick lead our Cybersecurity Team at The Southern Group.
Early in his career, DeWitt served as director of legislative affairs for South Carolina’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, where he oversaw all legislation pertaining to personnel, international and domestic tourism marketing, 46 state parks, and the agency’s $50 million budget. DeWitt has also served as Global Business Development project manager for South Carolina’s Department of Commerce, where he managed over $200 million in investment projects. In addition, DeWitt worked in the Executive Office for Policy and Programs for two respected South Carolina governors, Carroll A. Campbell, Jr., and David M. Beasley. DeWitt served as the state director of the Federal Appalachian Regional Economic Development Program under Governor Campbell, and as deputy communications director for Governor Beasley. In this role, DeWitt liaised between municipal and county governments, managing and coordinating press events, working closely with the State Emergency Preparedness Division, and serving as personal assistant to the governor.
In December of 1999, the governor of South Carolina presented DeWitt with the Order of the Palmetto—South Carolina’s highest civilian honor—for excellence and dedication to the citizens of South Carolina and his continued services to the state.
In 2010, DeWitt was appointed to the Charleston Air Force base advisory council, where he continues to serve the men and women of Joint Base Charleston.
In 2022, DeWitt was appointed to the Medical University of South Carolina Childrens hospital board where he works with a group of doctors and business professionals in fundraising efforts benefiting children and families utilizing this nationally recognized institution.
DeWitt attended the College of Charleston, where he studied political science. He resides in Charleston, South Carolina.
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