South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association Names Mark Newman as President & CEO

South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association Names Mark Newman as President & CEO

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (SCRLA) today announced the appointment of Mark Newman as its next President & Chief Executive Officer, following a national search to identify the leader best positioned to guide the organization and the state’s hospitality industry into its next chapter of growth. 

Newman brings more than two decades of executive leadership across tourism, public media, nonprofit, and cultural organizations. He will assume leadership of SCRLA at a time when South Carolina’s hospitality industry plays an increasingly central role in the state’s economy and community life. 

Hospitality is deeply woven into South Carolina’s identity—from its coastal communities, rich farmlands, and historic cities to the restaurants, hotels, and tourism destinations that welcome millions of visitors each year. 

“South Carolina’s hospitality industry is one of the great engines of our state’s economy and culture,” said Chad Patterson, Chair of the SCRLA Board of Directors. “We are confident that Mark brings the leadership experience, collaborative spirit, and mission-driven mindset needed to guide SCRLA into its next phase. His background leading associations and public organizations, his experience working with elected leaders, and his previous work advancing tourism initiatives have given him a deep understanding of how vital our hospitality industry is to tourism across South Carolina. These qualities made him the right leader for this moment in time.” 

Patterson added that Newman’s ability to build partnerships across business, government, and communities will be instrumental in strengthening the association’s role as the voice of the hospitality industry across South Carolina.

Newman currently serves as Executive Director of Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, where he leads a statewide association of public media organizations and works closely with policymakers, community leaders, and nonprofit partners to advance education, journalism, and public service initiatives. 

Previously in his career, Newman served as Executive Director of the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, where he worked alongside tourism and hospitality leaders to grow visitation and economic impact across the state. He has also served on the Board of the Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association, deepening his connection to the hospitality industry and its role in strengthening local communities. 

Newman began his professional journey in an entirely different arena—college athletics—as an assistant men’s soccer coach who helped guide teams to three NCAA national championships. A former goalkeeper, he credits that experience for shaping his leadership style around teamwork, communication, and collective success. 

“I’m honored to join the South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association and to work alongside the people who make hospitality such an essential part of South Carolina’s economy and community life,” said Newman. “Hospitality is at the heart of what makes South Carolina such a welcoming place. It creates jobs, supports local communities, and helps showcase the very best of the state. I look forward to elevating the voice of the industry and working with SCRLA’s members, industry partners, and public officials to ensure that South Carolina continues to be one of the most welcoming and vibrant destinations in the country.” 

SCRLA represents restaurants, hotels, tourism destinations, and hospitality businesses across South Carolina. The organization advocates for policies that support the industry, provides education and workforce development programs, and connects hospitality leaders across the state. 

The South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association represents more than 2,400 member companies across the foodservice and lodging sectors and serves as the leading advocate for the state’s hospitality industry. The industry employs more than 300,000 South Carolinians and plays a vital role in communities and the state’s economy. 

Newman will relocate to South Carolina and begin his role with SCRLA in April 2026. 

The national search process was conducted with the support of executive search firm Stanton Chase.