A successful businessman for over 24 years in the UpState and all along the Grand Strand, Bill McKown currently serves as the 1st Congressional District member of the State Aeronautics Commission, appointed by Governor Mark Sanford and the General Assembly.

McKown formed Marbill International of North Augusta, was a founder of Arcan, Inc. of Greenville and is an owner Southern Equipment, Inc. of Greenville.  He also owns McKown Properties, a firm that specializes in the rental and property management of oceanfront vacation homes.  

The developer of the portable power pack (left) – a free-standing automotive battery charger – McKown now serves on the Advisory Board of Crescent Bank.

Bill and his family are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Myrtle Beach.

He has three children: Macy, Jason and Bill, Jr.; and three beautiful granddaughters, Morgan, Maya and Madison.

He is also Chairman of the Horry County Airport Advisory Board, a past member of Surfside Beach Town Council, past member of the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments, and a member of the Grand Strand Area Transportation Study.  McKown is a close associate of business, community and elected leaders around the state and the nation, including US Senators Demint and Graham, State Senator Ray Cleary and house members throughout the PeeDee and Coast.

(left) Bill McKown with US Congressman Henry Brown.

An avid and experienced aviator, McKown received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Augusta State University in 1984 with an emphasis on Finance.  He also received an AS in Aviation Technology, after which he served as a corporate pilot for Beatrice Foods.

(above) One of more than a dozen beautiful and popular oceanfront properties presented for the ultimate South Carolina vacation by McKown Properties, formed in 2000 by Bill McKown.

(above) Priorities are a hallmark of Bill McKown’s life!  Today, his granddaughters are at the TOP of that priority list.