Howard Duvall is a native of Cheraw, South Carolina. He graduated from Cheraw High School in
1961 and The Citadel in 1965 with a BA in Political Science. In 1990, he holds a Master of Public
Administration from the University of South Carolina.
Upon graduating from The Citadel, Mr. Duvall served four years in the US Air Force and
continued his military service with the South Carolina Air National Guard. He resigned from the SC Air Guard in
1973.
Mr. Duvall returned to Cheraw after his military service to join Cheraw Hardware & Supply
Company. He was active in civic affairs with many organizations. His love for history was shown in
his efforts at preserving the history of Cheraw, Chesterfield County and the Pee Dee area.
He was a founding member of the Chesterfield County Historical Society and the Chesterfield
County Historical Commission. He served on the reorganized St. David’s Society in the Pee Dee. He was a
leader in the successful restoration of Old St. David’s Church. That restoration project led to many other
restorations in Cheraw.
Mr. Duvall represented South Carolina from 1985 to 1994 on the Advisory Board of the National
Trust for Historic Preservation. He is an Advisor Emeritus. He also served on the Board of Review
for historic places in South Carolina and was the first president of the South Carolina Archives Foundation.
The South Carolina Confederation of Local Historical Societies honored Duvall in 1986 with
the first Richard N. Pryor Award for outstanding volunteer service in historic preservation.
In 1973, Duvall was elected to the Cheraw Town Council. In 1980 he was elected mayor.
In 1986, Duvall resigned as mayor to become an Executive Assistant to Governor Richard W. Riley.
Governor Riley honored Duvall with the Order of the Palmetto in 1986 at the Cheraw Chamber of
Commerce Annual meeting for his service as mayor of Cheraw.
Governor Riley appointed Duvall to the South Carolina Tax Commission where he served from
January to July of 1987. In July of 1987, Duvall became Director of Intergovernmental Relations for the
Municipal Association of South Carolina. Duvall became Executive Director of the Municipal Association in
October of 1992 and served until his retirement in 2008.
Duvall is the author of a history of the Municipal Association of South Carolina. The
book is written in chronological order to be useful in research. A compilation of the book will be
published in July, 2015, to celebrate the 75Th anniversary of the association.
Duvall’s passion for gardening led to his serving on the Columbia Tree and Appearance
Commission for six years, three as the Chair. He also was on the board of Columbia Green. He continues to
volunteer with the Columbia Green Thumbs doing landscape projects around the city. His gardening skills are
evident at his home where he cultivates over 160 varieties of daylilies.
Duvall is currently serving on the board of the State Retirees Association of South
Carolina.
Duvall and his wife, Allianne, are active members of Trinity Cathedral Parish. He is
currently the Cathedral Treasurer and has served on the Vestry. He has served as a Lay Eucharistic
Minister since 1995. He serves on the pickle booth committee for the Trinity Bazaar where his artichoke chow
chow quickly sells out.
The Duvalls have two daughters, Jackie Boylston of Forest Acres and Rena MacDevette of Lake
Wylie. He is the proud grandfather to five grandchildren.
Duvall was first elected to City Council in 2016.
Contact Information
Councilman Duvall
At-Large
At-Large
Term: 01/01/2016 - 12/31/2019
P.O. Box 147
Columbia, SC 29217
803-238-6875
Technology Committee Chair
Arts & Historic Preservation Committee Member
Administrative Policy Committee Member