Charleston Reporter

Last week, the 628th Air Base Wing at Joint Base Charleston held a change of command ceremony, recognizing the transfer of command from Col. Michael A. Freeman to Col. Jason Parker.

In his tenure as commander, Col. Freeman established a strong partnership with the Chamber, aiding the business community in understanding the military's regional impact and advocating for service members transitioning to civilian careers. Reflecting on his connection to the Chamber and business community, Col. Freeman remarked, “The Charleston community and the business community specifically are incredibly supportive of the military. Most of my contact and engagement with the business community came through the metro Chamber and I appreciated their support for the military and their willingness to get involved to solve mutual issues that impact everyone in the Metro region.”

Looking ahead, Col. Freeman expressed confidence in continued collaboration: “The focus on education, housing, childcare and transportation is spot on and I trust the Charleston business community to work closely with all stakeholders in the region to make meaningful advances in these areas in the coming years. Thank you to everyone in the business community for your support; you are a huge part of what makes the Charleston area so special!”

Since 2001, the Chamber has led regional efforts focused on retaining existing facilities and expanding through new missions. The Chamber team has collaborated with many military leaders like Col. Freeman and anticipates continuing this partnership under Col. Parker's leadership.

“During his time as commander of Joint Base Charleston, we have been fortunate to work with Col. Freeman and his team to identify and contribute to areas of support for our region’s military,” said Bryan Derreberry, President and CEO of the Charleston Metro Chamber.

Derreberry added, “From providing insights on JBC to serving on the Chamber’s board and sharing his leadership experience with our Leadership Discovery class, Col. Freeman has been an incredible asset in bridging the gap between the business community and our nation’s service members. We wish Col. Freeman all the best in his retirement and look forward to experiencing his impact on our region in this next phase of his career.”

As Col. Parker begins his command at JBC, anticipation builds within both military circles and local businesses alike. The Chamber plans to welcome him formally at Impact: Change of Command on August 14 at South Carolina Ports Authority Headquarters where attendees will hear updates about JBC along with insights into Col. Parker's vision for its future operations.

Tickets for this event are currently available for purchase via Impact: Change of Command event page.