March 28, 2025
Mr. Walter R. Lagarenne, Jr. will deliver a distinguished lecture on Friday, March 28, 2025 at Clemson University, sponsored by the Glenn Department of Civil Engineering and the Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development. His seminar discusses Charleston’s “Navy Base Intermodal Facility – South Carolina Ports Authority.” This seminar will be held at the Watt Family Innovation Center auditorium at 1:25 p.m. with a reception following in the Watt Center atrium. Please join us in welcoming Mr. Lagarenne back home to Clemson!
Mr. Lagarenne joined the SC Ports Authority in August 2018 as the Director of Engineering and Permitting and retired in November 2024 as the Vice President of Engineering and Facilities. During his tenure at the SC Ports Authority, Mr. Lagarenne was responsible for the execution of all capital engineering and large crane procurement projects from conception to completion, as well as the maintenance, repair and care of the Port’s terminal facilities and inland ports. The major capital projects included Phase 1 of the Hugh Leatherman Terminal, Inland Port Greer Expansion, Wando Welch Terminal Improvements, the procurement of ship to shore and rubber tired gantry cranes, and the Navy Base Intermodal Facility. In total, the value of these projects and facilities maintenance activities exceeded one billion dollars during this period.
Prior to joining the SC Ports Authority, Mr. Lagarenne worked in the civil engineering industry for 36 years beginning his career as a regulator at the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (now SC Department of Environmental Services), before transitioning into the consulting engineering industry. As a consulting engineer, Mr. Lagarenne worked on a diverse portfolio of project engineering and project management assignments ranging from infrastructure design, permitting and construction, to new vertical construction, including the SC Port Authority’s new Headquarters, and major equipment procurement for major utility companies, local and state agencies. His experience also includes serving as both the design and on-site construction manager for a $23 million Design-Build wastewater pumping and interceptor project.
Mr. Lagarenne is a Clemson University graduate with a Bachelor of Science (’80) and a Masters of Science (’82) in Civil Engineering, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in five states, including South Carolina. He is a Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a Life Member of the Water Environmental Association of South Carolina where he served as President in 2010-2011 and was admitted to the WEASC’s Chapter of the 5S Society. In addition, he was an active member of the American Water Works Association, serving in several state level committee chairmanship roles, and the Water Environment Federation where he served as one of two South Carolina Delegates for three years, and received the WEF Arthur Sidney Bedell Award in 2010.
