Opening Keynote: South Carolina's Plan to Address Challenges to Natural Resources

Tuesday, April 29 | 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM ET

We are honored to announce that the Opening Keynote of the NAEP 2025 Conference will be delivered by Thomas S. Mullikin, PhD, JD, the recently appointed Director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and retired Major General of the South Carolina State Guard.

Dr. Mullikin's keynote is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM ET. With a distinguished career in environmental law and leadership, Dr. Mullikin will share insights into South Carolina's strategic initiatives to tackle pressing environmental challenges. His extensive experience promises to provide valuable perspectives on sustainable resource management and policy development.

About the Speaker 

Thomas S. Mullikin, PhD, JD
Major General, SCSG (Ret)
Director, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

As director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Mullikin serves as the chief administrator and is responsible for the management and supervision of the agency’s five divisions. In addition to his environmental and outdoor experiences, Mullikin is a decorated retired senior military officer having served with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps, U.S. Army Reserve, where he was the international legal officer and assistant staff judge advocate attached to an element of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Mullikin retired as major general/commander of the S.C. State Guard. Mullikin is a native of Camden, where he and his wife, Virginia Ann, reside. They have four children and five grandchildren.