On an upcoming GovLove episode, ELGL Co-Founder Kent Wyatt interviews former Charleston, SC Mayor Joe Riley and Bratton Riley, founder of Citibot. What questions do you have for the father-son duo? Email them to kent@elgl.org.
Former Mayor Joe Riley, City of Charleston, South Carolina
Joe Riley is widely considered one of the most visionary and highly effective governmental leaders in America. He served ten terms as Mayor of the City of Charleston from 1975 to 2016.
He graduated from The Citadel in 1964 and the University of South Carolina Law School in 1967, and served in the S.C. House of Representatives from 1968 to 1974.
In his time as Mayor, Charleston transformed from a decaying urban center to a top cultural destination. He is known for his innovative redevelopment projects, carefully crafted to add to the overall quality of life in the city. He diffused racial tensions by working closely with the African American community. The crisis leadership that he demonstrated after Hurricane Hugo in 1989 gained national praise for getting the city quickly cleaned up and running.
Bratton Riley, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Citibot
Bratton was brought up in a family committed to public service and is enthusiastic for the betterment of our communities. As the son of longtime Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, Bratton brings a unique perspective to understanding issues facing local governments and the barriers of citizen communication. He previously spent 12 years heading development and legal practices for Maybank Industries, which handles more than 3.5 million tons of maritime cargo per year. Bratton received a degree in history from the University of Virginia, as well as a JD and MBA in International Business from the University of South Carolina. He is an esteemed Liberty Fellow; an incubator for exemplary leadership in South Carolina in conjunction with the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
Supplemental Reading
South Carolina’s Citibot is building a chatbot for local governments
One Of America’s Longest-Serving Mayors Steps Down