Mayor Santana Delano Freeman

Background

Mayor Freeman was elected as the first African American Mayor of the City of Abbeville on November 22, 2016. He was officially sworn into office for a four year term on Tuesday, December 13, 2016. Delano was originally elected to office in November 2000, served as Mayor Pro-Tem from 2012 until 2014 and is a South Carolina Municipal Association Elected Official Graduate.

Education

Mayor Freeman grew up in Abbeville where he attended Abbeville High School and eventually went on to marry his wife Terri Freeman and have two sons.  Delano also graduated with a bachelors degree from Clemson University. Delano has worked at GLEAMNS Head Start for the past nineteen years with extensive management experience. Mayor Freeman is also a small business owner through his company Freeman Group LLC. 

Delano possess an extensive military education through the Basic Combat Training, Primary Leadership Development, Officer Candidate School, Signal Officer Basic, Combat Lifesaver and the Captain's Career Courses.

Awards

Mayor Freeman's accolades include a robust military career that spans over twenty-three years with accomplishments including Soldier of the Year, two Army Commendation Medals, Five Army Achievement Medals, Army Physical Fitness Award as well as being an Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) Afghanistan Veteran. Delano currently holds the rank of Major.

More Information

Citizen participation in our government is greatly encouraged. Should you have any questions, concerns, or ideas that can benefit the City of Abbeville, please contact Mayor Freeman.