Local farmer and county commissioner aims to strengthen SCC’s role in workforce development as new trustee
Brent Watts, a Bethel community native, is Southeastern Community College’s newest Board of Trustee member. Sworn in at the board’s July 21 meeting held at Whiteville City Hall, Watts hopes his contributions as a trustee will benefit every student at SCC. As a farmer by trade and as the chair of the Columbus County Board of Commissioners, Watts brings hard work values and a civic duty approach to the SCC Board of Trustees.
“I consider this an honor because the commissioners trust me to represent them well on the SCC Board of Trustees,” Watts said. “I’m looking forward to continue seeing this college grow under the leadership of Dr. Chris English.”
Watts considers SCC one of Columbus County’s greatest assets, and he wants his involvement with the trustees and commissioners to continue its “good working relationship.” He said that SCC can benefit every person in Columbus County, especially people seeking careers in technical trades, healthcare or public safety.
“I mean, I’m a technical man,” Watts said. “I always said that students can go off to a four-year school, but we’ve got these technical trades right here. If you teach them heating and air, electrical or welding, they can make a really good living.”
As a county commissioner, Watts will work with the commission to vote on funding opportunities for SCC programming and capital projects. He said that SCC’s friendly, family atmosphere combined with its growing technical programs was SCC’s greatest strengths. Working in agriculture, Watts was happy to see the construction of the greenhouse and agribusiness complex that houses chickens and sheep. As a father of two sons, Watts values SCC’s tuition-free Career and College Promise program.
“I’ve got a son in 10th grade, and he will absolutely be taking some college classes starting his junior year,” Watts said. “With times being tough for a lot of people and getting that jumpstart, it’s a way better option economically over going to four-year schools. Having the chance to graduate college before graduating high school, if you want it, it’s there.”
Career and background
Watts is one of four tobacco farmers left in Columbus County. He also grows soybeans, corn and peanuts. He is a hog farmer and contractor with Smithfield Foods. He grows his crops under the name Watts Farms, while his hogs are raised at Watts Piggyback Farm and Triple B Watts Farm in Clarendon.
Watts attended elementary and middle school at Williams Township School, and he graduated from South Columbus High School in 2001. He attended SCC to pursue electrical engineering and forestry, but life circumstances pointed him in another direction. He came back home to work on his family’s farm. Watts took ownership of his granddaddy’s farm and his wife’s family’s farm in 2008.
Watts and his wife, Jennifer Watts, have two sons, Briggs and Banks. Jennifer is a 2005 SCC graduate of the Associates Degree Nursing program. His family attends Dulah Baptist Church. In his free time, Watts is an avid duck hunter. He is two species away from hunting all 41 North American species, and he is planning an Alaska and Greenland trip in November to complete his goal in the Ultimate Waterfowl Challenge.
