Board of Commissioners

The Richland County Recreation Commission has a seven member board who serve a term of five years and are appointed to staggered terms. Officers are elected annually. The Richland County Recreation Commission Board of Commissioners holds regular meetings each month on the third Monday at 6:00 pm. Special Call Meetings are held when necessary. The public is invited to attend these meetings which are held at the Adult Activity Center, 7494 Parklane Road, Columbia. For more information or to contact board members contact the main office, (803) 741-7272 or email to board@rcrc.state.sc.us

The general duties of the Board of Commissioners are:

To enact resolutions and ordinances for the general health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Richland County.
To plan for future public needs.
To provide necessary services to safeguard the well-being and safety of the citizens.

RCRC continued its excellence as set forth by CAPRA and was reaccredited in November 2011.

Robert Lapin, Chair

Robert Lapin was born September 9, 1964 in Kansas City, Missouri. He is married to Lori Belson Lapin and they have three children: Harrison, Max and Jack.

Robert graduated from Shawnee Mission South high School in 1983, then went on to earn a B.A. in Business from Michigan State University majoring in Hotel Restaurant and Institutional Management (HRIM). While attending Michigan State, he earned a varsity letter on the MSU Varsity Soccer Team; he graduated in 1987. He has coached all levels of soccer from recreational up to academy level over the past 18 years. While holding a USSF National “C” coaching license, he is currently on staff as a coach with South Carolina United Football Club and Cardinal Newman Varsity Soccer.

Robert was owner operator of Chiller Distributors and Delight Wholesale (Wholesale Ice Cream Distribution) in Atlanta, Georgia from 1990-1997 and Director of Marketing for the Ben Arnold Sunbelt Beverage (now known as Break-Through Beverage) from 1997-2001. Robert is currently a Commercial Real Estate Agent for NAI Avant (formerly Edens and Avant).

Robert’s community involvement and affiliations are as follows: past President of Habitat for Humanity of the Midlands and served on the board for 8 years; Director of Compliance and Treasurer of the SC Battery Development Academy; past board member of the Columbia Jewish Community Center and past board member of the City of Columbia Cultural Council.

Term Expiration: February 27, 2019

Donzetta Lindsay, Vice Chair

Donzetta Lindsay retired from the Federal Government in 2012 with 40 years of service. The last 21 years she served in the capacity of supervisor with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

She was the supervisor for the Public Contact Team and Fiduciary Team. The Public Contact Team consist of Veterans Service Representatives who assisted veterans, spouses and family members with filing claims for disabilities and other veteran benefits. The Fiduciary Team provided for the welfare and financial affairs of incompetent veterans.

Donzetta conducted career and college jobs fairs and also headed the Homeless Veterans Program, The Women Veterans Program and other outreach projects including the annual welcome home event for returning combat veterans in Charleston, South Carolina.

Term Expiration: February 27, 2022

Hamilton Jacobs, Secretary

Hamilton Jacobs, Sr., a native of Columbia, South Carolina is an accomplished motivational speaker, mentor, and musician. He is the youngest son of three children to Pastor Micheal L. Jacobs, Sr., and Sybrena Jacobs. Hamilton attended public schools in Richland County School District One and is a proud graduate of Eau Claire High School. Hamilton attended Benedict College in Columbia, SC, and currently is a licensed real estate agent with Remax/Summit Real Estate. He resides in Southeast Columbia with his beautiful wife Faith L. Jacobs and their four sons Zion, Jordan, Prince JohnMicheal, and Hamilton Jr.

Hamilton’s love for the community and children has driven his passion as a community and civic leader. He is a mentor to countless youth and teens and is the founder and CEO of Bridge Over Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization, that is focused on being a bridge of success to all individuals in every aspect of life. Hamilton coaches with nationally acclaimed AAU basketball program Team Unleashed South Carolina (TUSC), and his love for youth and sports also has led him to serve as former Hopkins Packers Pop Warner Football team president and coach. The father of 2 State Recreation Basketball Champions from Caughman Road Park (ECYBL), Hamilton is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc and currently he serves as the vice chairman of The Board of Assessment appeals for Richland County, on the Community Engagement Board for Westinghouse, and as the Executive Director for Project Jasmine a nonprofit organization geared towards the fight against domestic violence. Hamilton has embraced the title Servant Leader as he is committed and dedicated to serving the needs of the community and its constituents.

Hamilton is an ordained Elder at Glory Temple Worship Center in Hopkins, SC under the leadership of Pastor Sallie Lakin; where he supervises many ministries and committees, He was licensed and ordained under his father-in-law the late honorable Bishop John Lakin, Jr.

In his spare time, Hamilton loves spending time with his family and friends, and loves to cook and grill for his loved ones. Hamilton’s motto can be found in Proverbs 1:5 which states, “a wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.

Term Expiration:

Alphonzo Anderson, Commissioner

Mr. Alphonzo Gerry Chris Anderson is from Hopkins, South Carolina. He graduated from Lower Richland High School in 1984. Mr. Anderson attended Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina where he graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He entered the United States Army on January 17, 1993, and completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Eustis, Virginia. Mr. Anderson spent 9 ½ years in Logistical Operations as a Cargo Specialist where he was deployed to Somalia as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and he also participated in several Over the Shore Operations (JLOCS) in Virginia Beach, and Operation Bright Star in Kyro, Egypt. Mr. Anderson served as the Non-Commission Officer in Charge (NCOIC) for various high profile Presidential Missions that ranged from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey to Rwanda Africa. Mr. Anderson spent 13 years as part of the United States Army Recruiting Command as an On-Production Station Manager, Limited Production Station Manager, and a Recruiter Trainer, recruiting in Georgia, Louisiana, and Virginia. Mr. Anderson was tasked with implementing programs for developing mid-level managers with a focus on company target markets while maximizing personnel performance by focusing on the area of product knowledge, marketing, and time management to achieve the overall company goals. Mr. Anderson retired on October 31, 2015. He also has 3 daughters.

Term Expiration: February 27, 2026

Timothy Christensen, Commissioner

Term Expiration:

James Mobley, Commissioner

Commissioner James Mobley was born in Columbia, SC on June 29, 1953. He attended public schools in Richland School District One. He worked for CEN-TEX Detective Agency and Security Company Inc. from June 1974 until November 1981. In November 1981 he joined the NCR Corporation Computer Company until 1991. He then attended Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and Kenneth Shuler School of Men’s Hairstyling and graduated in 1984. He opened my own beauty salon in 1992 and in 1999 became a Nationally Certified Cosmetology Examiner for the state of SC for 15 years. Mobley was President of Affiliate #9 of the National Cosmetology Association from 1998 through 1999. He also worked in the transportation department at Richland District Two for 15 years.

Commissioner Mobley has been a volunteer baseball coach for children 10 and under in the city of Columbia parks. He has taught line dancing to all age groups at Richland County Parks and Recreation facilities for the past 20 years. Commissioner Mobley has 2 sons and 3 grandchildren.

Term Expiration: February 27, 2026

Richland County Council Members

Jason Branham, District 1
Derrek Pugh, District 2, Vice Chair
Yvonne McBride, District 3
Paul Livingston, District 4
Allison Terracio, District 5
Don Weaver, District 6
Gretchen Barron, District 7
Overture Walker, District 8
Jesica Mackey, District 9, Chair
Cheryl English, District 10
Chakisse Newton, District 11

South Carolina Senate Delegation

J. Thomas McElveen, III, District 35
Tameika Isaac Devine, District 19
Mia S. McLeod, District 22
Darrell Jackson, District 21
Richard A. “Dick” Harpootlian, District 20

South Carolina House Delegation

Kathy Landing, District 80
Annie E. McDaniel, District 41
Seth Rose, District 72
J. Todd Rutherford, District 74
Kambrell H. Garvin, District 77
Leon Howard, District 76
Jermaine L. Johnson, Sr., District 70
Christopher R. Hart, District 73
Heather Bauer, District 75
Ivory Torrey Thigpen, District 79
Beth E. Bernstein, District 78
Nathan Ballentine, District 71