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<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
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<p>303 Associates announced Monday, Jan. 30, in a news release that James Banton has joined the team as Chief Operating Officer.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>“We are thrilled Jimmy is joining our team,” Co-CEO of 303 Associates Courtney Worrell said in a news release. “His proven organizational and operational skills will help enhance our operations, and his long-range planning experience will allow us to continue to develop and execute future plans.”</p>
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<p>"Being a part of a close-knit team and creating positive impacts to our community is something I'm very familiar with and looking forward to continuing this with the 303 Team,” Banton said in the release.</p>
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<p>Banton was introduced to Beaufort in 1998 when he stepped on the yellow footprints of Parris Island. Since that time, his career has consisted of multiple leadership roles and combat deployments in 24 years of military service. Recently retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel, his last position held was the Executive Officer of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Banton and his wife, Stephanie, and their children, Jimmy and Katie, are thrilled to call the Lowcountry their home.</p>
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<p>In addition to his new role at 303 Associates, Jimmy is actively involved in Operation Patriots FOB, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and fostering positive experiences for veterans, active duty service members, first responders, and their families by connecting through outdoor and recreational activities.</p>
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