Aug 2, 2021

Leadership is a rare trait. Many think they have it, but truly great leaders are often only seen in hindsight.
 
One of the world’s great leaders wisely noted: “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.” 
 
Tom Peeples was Hilton Head Island’s only mayor to ever be re-elected, and recently retired after 40 years of building homes in the Lowcountry. He is an outstanding visionary who left an indelible mark on Hilton Head Island. Great leaders do that. They leave behind something greater than themselves. 
 
The natural environment of the island was fiercely protected by Tom Peeples, often without mincing words. He was never one to beat around the bush, and in many ways, that was his charm. He had a vision for the island and he’d fight long and hard, and without pretense, with anyone who tried to make the island a lesser place.
 
In his recent article about Tom, David Lauderdale reminds us that we were having the same conversations about island development in the late 80s that we are today. Tom was a master of balance. Some residents disdain our visitors vs. seeing them as the individuals who provide us with great parks, island festivals, and the many things we love about Lowcountry life. He understood that all development isn’t bad, but that it needed to be the right kind of development, and we couldn’t agree more.
 
When it comes to town leadership, we have a new generation of town managers at the helm for both Hilton Head Island and Bluffton. I’m fortunate to be able to have a conversation with both of them this week for our popular Chamber Channel 5 Questions podcast. We’ll be talking to Marc Orlando and Stephen Steese about their vision and goals for the Lowcountry and we’d be wise to pay attention. They have the ability to shape our community and set the tone for our future.
 
Tom Peeples set the bar for leadership in the Lowcountry and he set it high. He considered a summer of vacationing visitors a small price to pay for the quality of life we enjoy year-round. Have the past two years been unusual ones for tourism? You bet. Will things settle down again to a more normal rhythm and pace? We’re optimistic that they will.
 
Congratulations to Tom and Mary Ann Peeples for 40 successful years in business and in leadership. 
 

Sincerely,

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Bill Miles,
President & CEO
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce

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Bill Miles