City Council Members

  1. Harry Williams

    Mayor

    Education

    Harry graduated from Rutgers with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1971.

    Career

    Harry served in a variety of leadership roles while residing in Mahwah, New Jersey, including 5 years as a city councilman, 2 years as council vice-president, and 1 year as council president. He was elected to City Council for the City of Hardeeville in 2015 and served in that capacity until becoming mayor in 2016. Mayor Harry is currently the chairman of the Southern Low Country (SoLoCo) Advisory Board. Harry is also on the board for Southern Carolina Alliance and Habitat for Humanity.

    Personal Life

    Harry Williams was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 21st, 1949. He was raised in a household of ten as the second child. Harry spent the years 1993 to 2015 residing in Mahwah, New Jersey, before moving to Hardeeville. His wife of more than 36 years, Beth, and he have two children together: Lauren and Jared. He is currently retired and enjoys spending his free time serving the community.


  2. Councilman Bo White

    Bo White

    Mayor Pro Tem

    Education

    Bo graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College where he was elected Student Body President and selected to Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges. He was also featured in Young Life Staff, a faith-based youth organization in Washington, DC and Yonkers, New York.

    Career

    Bo moved to Indianapolis, Indiana to work with Mayor Richard Lugar to successfully begin Communities in School. Bo founded Project Access with four schools' systems in the Boston area while at Raytheon. The program established computer science programs, training for teachers in four high schools, and paid student internships. The program received national recognition for work and education partnership excellence. His career has focused on: general management in the public and private sector, strategic planning, organizational and leadership development. 

    Personal Life 

    Bo White was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He played lacrosse in high school and college. Bo moved to the Hardeeville area in 2000. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, especially to Italy and Japan.


  3. John Carroll

    John Caroll

    City Council Member

    Education

    John graduated from Georgia Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. 

    Career

    John went to work for the Richland Sherriff's Office near Columbia. But he knew he wanted to return to his hometown of Hardeeville. After doing different jobs around the Savannah area, John heard about the then part-time job as Hardeeville's municipal judge. Because of his experience in law enforcement, the council appointed him to handle the Monday night court hearings. John has since been Hardeeville’s municipal judge for over 25 years. Holding that position for so many years could be attributed to Carroll's dedication to building relationships in Hardeeville.

    Personal Life 

    John Carroll was Hardeeville. John has served as Mayor Pro Tem, Part-time Municipal Judge, and Full-time Municipal Judge. In his free time, he enjoys giving back to the community and spending time with his wife Sherry Carroll, and their grandchildren. 


  4. Valarie Guzman

    Valerie Guzman

    City Council Member

    Education

    Valarie graduated from Northern Virginia Community College in 2013, with a degree in Paralegal Studies. She also attended the Technical College of the Lowcountry and pursued a certificate program in paralegal studies.

    Career

    Valarie has served in several senior executive positions in healthcare, including a stint in Bahrain, allowing her to gain a multicultural and global perspective. She was also a volunteer EMT at the Naval Hospital in Rota, Spain and several EMS squads in Virginia. She currently volunteers as a Paralegal at the Lowcountry Legal Volunteers and augments their services at the office in Hardeeville.

    Personal Life

    Valarie Guzman was born in Southeast Asia. She has lived in different parts of the world in support of her now retired military spouse and is a global traveler. Prior to moving to Hardeeville in 2018, she lived and worked in Virginia. Valarie is an ardent supporter of the Military, Fire/EMS and the Police.


  5. Steve Meersman

    Steve Meersman

    Councilman

    Education

    Steve attended and graduated from Black Hawk College in 1979.


    Career

    Steve went to work as a manager for his family's business, Meersman's Bon-Air Inc. Finding his future in the family business came natural as he was 3rd generation and had worked part time for several years. Steve quickly became responsible for all day-to-day operations for the next 40 years. During those years, he served on many community boards, including the Jaycees, Crime Stoppers, Easter Seals/Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities, Moline Riverfest, and Rock Island County Fair board. He was also chosen as the Illinois Licensed Beverage Association's Area 39 president and held the position for more than 20 years. When the Quad Cities International Airport developed to become the third-largest airport in Illinois, Steve was appointed to a board seat that became vacant in 1997 and served for 5 years, of which two were spent as treasurer. He was requested to fill a vacancy on the Rock Island County Board of Supervisors, District 7, in August 2004. Steve held that position for more than 10 years, including five of those as chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee. He also worked closely with the Council for Children at Risk and the University of Illinois.


    Personal Life 

    Steve Meersman relocated to South Carolina in 2015 after retiring from the family business. Steve and his wife have been married for over 44 years. Together, they have one daughter and three wonderful grandchildren who reside in Guyton, Georgia.