by 
Columbia, S.C. (January 15, 2026) – William B. Dukes, of Lexington County, was named Vice-Chairman of the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission at the Commission’s January 15, 2026 meeting in Columbia.
“I’m truly honored to continue in this leadership role with the SCDOT Commission,” said Dukes. “We’ve made great progress, and I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners, our partners, and SCDOT’s dedicated team on delivering results that benefit every South Carolinian.”
Dukes is owner of Blue Marlin Restaurant.
A graduate from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Dukes received an ROTC commission in the US Air Force. A Vietnam veteran, Dukes served in the US Air Force for four years and attained the rank of Captain.
In 1981, Dukes co-founded and developed the Longhorn Steakhouse chain.
Dukes was founder and Chairman of Honor Flight of SC, with more than 2,000 World War II and Korean War veterans honored. He was appointed by the Secretary of the Army to be the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army representing South Carolina and served in this capacity from 2014-2018.
Dukes was a member of the Lexington-Richland Airport Commission, where he first began serving in 2002; served as member of the Newberry College Board of Trustees; is a former Director of the Columbia and Charlotte Chambers of Commerce; a former advisor to the SC Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging; past member of the USC Educational Foundation; and past chairman of the Columbia Convention Center Authority.
Dukes received The Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor, from the Governor of South Carolina.
About SCDOT
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is the state agency with oversight of South Carolina’s network of highways and bridges, including responsibilities such as planning, design, construction, financing, and roadway safety. To ensure the nation’s fourth-largest highway system is prepared to serve the needs of South Carolina’s growing economy and population, SCDOT has developed a Strategic 10-Year Plan that addresses improvements to the state’s highway and bridge systems. Learn more at scdot.org.
