The following was originally presented as a speech during the 2025 South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Awards Reception held on the evening of September 26, 2025 at Founder’s Hall at Charles Towne Landing.

The Carroll A. Campbell Award, created to honor individuals and families who have been an integral part of billfish conservation in our state and who embody Mr. Campbell’s principles and passions. This award is one of the Series’ most prestigious honors, recognition of a lifetime of commitment and service to everyone in this very room, as well as every other angler who enjoys blue water fishing off our state’s coast. 

Although many of you already know tonight’s recipient well, some of you might not yet be familiar with his tremendous contributions to South Carolina’s sportfishing community. He’s not a fixture on the docks, a storied captain, or a hard-charging offshore angler. He hasn’t showcased Governor Campbell’s principles and passions while fun fishing or competing in tournaments. Instead, for thirty years, he’s proved his commitment to the Series and billfish conservation in offices, board meetings, and legislative sessions. 

Often donning a dapper bowtie, he served as the Deputy Director of SCDNR’s Marine Resource Division for 16 years before taking on the role as the agency’s director in 2019. In both positions, he was a steadfast supporter of Series staff, routinely checking in for updates, actively participating in board meetings, championing the South Carolina Memorial Reef Program, and even once riding along with Jim and Cameron on the chase boat. 

He established a reputation as a leader who genuinely cares about people. He always took the time to get to know staff members and learn about their unique backgrounds and interests, not just as mere small talk, but as a real way to connect with his team and to encourage growth.

He has undoubtedly inspired interest in the conservation of South Carolina’s natural resources thanks to his talents as one of the world’s best public speakers. He’s a natural on the mic, a skillset we’ve routinely had him put to work at awards receptions like this one. For years, he was the Gov Cup’s go-to MC.

And when he wasn’t front and center for us, he was busy behind the scenes, working tirelessly to encourage the conservation of South Carolina’s fisheries while representing the needs of the state’s many anglers. He served on countless fisheries management boards, including the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. He also remained apprised of developments at NOAA Fisheries’ HMS Advisory Panel. All three of these bodies relate to our sport, whether through management of meatfish such as dolphin and wahoo, protections for baitfish, or the conservation of the very billfish that bring us all here today.

After 32 years with DNR, he officially retired earlier this year and now fills his time by playing guitar and bass, camping, canoeing, and keeping bees, as well as serving as a Senior Advisor to the Coastal Conservation Leage. Most importantly, he’s now enjoying more time with his wife Liz and his loving family. We couldn’t possibly thank this incredibly kind and dedicated man enough for his decades of service to the Series and the state. 

So, it is our great privilege and honor to announce that this year’s Carroll A Campbell Award goes to Mr. Robert H. Boyles, Jr..