Meet Katie Guinn, KC Council Chair

By: Liz Simon, Staff Writer

Over 30 years have passed since a secondgrade girl in an Ohio classroom dreamed of flying airplanes to faraway places. January 3, 2023, Katie Guinn stood before an overwhelming crowd of supporters, civic leaders, and family to take the oath of office to represent Kershaw County as its first female County Council chairperson in the historic Robert Mills Courthouse in downtown Camden. South Carolina’s first female Lieutenant governor Pamela Everett presided over the ceremony. Pamela said, “It is inspiring to see women run for office and create change within their community. May God bless and guide her in her work.”

Katie describes herself on her social media Facebook page as a Christian and all things Kershaw County. She is wife to Camden native Tripp Guinn who is the chef and co-owner with Katie of The Catery on Broad, parents of Lilli (14) and Eli (3), sister to Courtney who is four years younger, and daughter to Joan.

Mother Joan Collins said, “I can't express how proud I am of my daughter. Katie has always been a determined person. I remember when she was five or six when I asked her what she wanted to do when she grew up. She said, ‘I'm going to be a pilot.’ Twenty-five years later she took me on my first ride in a helicopter. With Katie, it's never I want to do this. It's always been I'm going to do this. She has always been able to achieve anything she puts her mind to. I am so proud of Katie and all her achievements and excited for the future of Kershaw County.” Mrs. Collins held the Bible as her daughter Katie was sworn in that morning.

As Chairman of the Kershaw County Council, Katie's duties include informing the council on communication, having constant contact with the administration, building relationships with surrounding counties, lead meetings as the Parliamentarian, along with preparing the agendas for the twice monthly council meetings, and meeting with citizens, and attending civic activities.

Katie has been in orientation classes studying to prepare her for this role.

Katie believes her strongest leadership traits are her ability to delegate, talent management, and having empathy toward others. She believes you must know the people you are leading and have compassion for others.

Katie expressed concern for the taxpayers in the county. She wants to address the sewer debt and the increased fees that were added last year. The Supreme Court has ruled that it is unlawful to use fees as a tax. Katie also wants to address the parks and the recreational needs.

Katie said, “Tourism is a big asset for our community, and we need facilities here to host events. The economic impact will embrace the county and the plans we make for years to come.”

Katie moved to South Carolina in 2007 to attend the College of Charleston to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree. While there, she was encouraged by a friend to join the South Carolina Army National Guard where she became a medic.

After completing her military training, Katie deployed overseas to Afghanistan in 2012. She loved being with her unit. She earned her combat medical badge for providing aid under fire. Katie’s duties included having to call for support from the Apache Helicopter Command. She risked her life many times in Afghanistan.

The US armed forces has female soldiers like Katie attached to the Special Forces Division to engage with the women/young girls living in the small villages. Katie had to collect intelligence information. The women would only give information if they feared for their family.

After serving one year in Afghanistan, Katie returned and entered flight school. She was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer. Katie followed her dream and learned to fly the Apache helicopter. She was then stationed at Fort McIntyre Air Force Base in Columbia. She is only one of 40 females in the world to be certified to fly the Apache.

In 2016 Katie met her husband Tripp because he was catering an event for Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign that Katie was attending. They texted for over a year until they had their first date. From that chance meeting and a year of communication, their love story was highlighted with a beautiful wedding on the cliffs of Greece overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Katie Guinn will correspond in future issues with The Elgin News readers as our new Kershaw County Council Chairwoman.