Retiring HTC chief snags SC’s highest civilian honor in surprise ceremony

As head of America’s largest telephone cooperative, silence is something Mike Hagg tends to avoid.

But the retiring HTC chief found himself short on words during a surprise Oct. 20 ceremony where he was bestowed an Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor.

“Y’all know me. So for me to be speechless, that’s a pretty big accomplishment,” Hagg said. “I tell people I’m surrounded by a lot of great people that have done great things. My job is not to screw it up too bad.”

Hagg, who joined HTC in 1994 and named CEO in 2010, was credited by Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and company leaders not only for his leadership within the industry but as a champion for economic development in the region.

“Companies are only good because the people that work for those companies are really good people, and that’s why we’re here today,” Evette said.

Hagg may be stepping down from his day job, but he’ll stay busy. He’s soon to become chairman of the Coastal Educational Foundation, a nonprofit that supports operations of Coastal Carolina University.

He’s also chairman of the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation and sits on the state Telecommunciations and Broadband Association board.

Hagg plans to retire by the end of the year.

“Mike has provided great visionary leadership as HTC CEO over the last 12 years and has been instrumental in its growth as becoming the largest broadband cooperative in the country,” chief operating officer Carlton Lewis said.

Most recently, Hagg has led HTC’s efforts at providing services in rural parts of Georgetown and Marion counties through a $9 million broadband expansion plan announced last year.

“Following the start of the COVID pandemic, broadband connectivity has never been more important to our residents and businesses,” Lewis said. “Our cooperative is influential and serving its highest purpose and Mike should be praised for his courageous leadership to navigate HTC for that continued success.”

Hagg said building out HTC’s network will continue to support new business opportunities in and around the Grand Strand.

“Too often, we get into fights over ‘it’s this part of my community.’ My community is this great state of South Carolina and if I can make this piece better, it makes the piece beside it better,” Hagg said.

This story was originally published October 21, 2022 at 8:41 AM.