MOUNT PLEASANT — The S.C. State Ports Authority has named its next president and CEO, bringing back its former top sales executive from the private sector to lead the maritime agency.

Micah Mallace, a College of Charleston graduate who left the SPA for a private-sector job about three years ago, is expected to start almost immediately.

The board voted to approve his hiring at a special board meeting on Oct. 6. They also agreed to a five-year contract at $525,000 for the position, which Mallace will fill Oct. 13.

Mallace has been president of North Charleston-based trucking and warehousing business Harbor Logistics since November 2022.

He replaces Barbara Melvin, who resigned unexpectedly in August. She was succeeded temporarily by Phil Padgett , the SPA’s chief financial officer wh

See Full Page