T
he Beach Co.'s Kiawah River master-planned development on Johns Island features The Dunlin, an Auberge Resorts Collection luxury getaway that opened last summer.

    As the company prepares to mark its 80th anniversary, veteran executive Dan Doyle is being promoted from senior vice president and chief operating officer to president. He will take over for John Darby, who has led the firm since 1999 and will remain CEO and chairman of the board.

    Doyle joined The Beach Co. in 2004 and becomes the fourth president in the company's history, the first outside the founding family. Darby credited Doyle with helping to diversify the company geographically and said he is well-respected and well-liked within the firm.

    The Beach Co. has grown significantly under Darby's leadership, expanding from a staff of 12 employees to over 700 and developing projects in 27 cities across the Southeast. The company remains a major player in the Charleston region, with its largest undertaking being the Kiawah River master-planned community and resort on Johns Island.

    Darby acknowledged that the development cycle has slowed due to high borrowing costs but said the company is showing signs of recovery, with two sizable projects set to break ground soon. Doyle will focus on executing the company's strategic plan, which includes prioritizing core strengths, staying focused, and reinforcing a positive company culture.

    The Beach Co.'s history dates back to 1945 when founder J.C. Long bought the Isle of Palms for $120,000, marking the priciest real estate transaction in South Carolina at the time. The company has since grown into one of the largest real estate investment and development firms in the state.

    As Doyle takes on his new role, he said there are no pressing issues to address and that the transition will be seamless for employees, partners, and lenders. He plans to focus on executing the company's strategic plan and reinforcing its positive culture.