• District 7 - Eugene (Gene) Baten

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    District 7 - Eugene (Gene) Baten

    Feb 7 2020 Eugene Baten Portrait 1



    Contact Information:

    Post Office Box 3193
    Sumter, SC 29151
    Home Phone: 803-773-0815
    Council@sumtercountysc.gov

    Eugene (Gene) R. Baten was born on January 25, 1942 in Fairfax County, Virginia. He is the sixth and youngest child from the union of Robert A. Baten (Jenkinsville, South Carolina) and Mary E. Cook (Herndon, Virginia).

    At the age of five, his family relocated to Washington, D. C.

    He attended Gedding Elementary School and Randall Junior High School. He received his high school diploma from Phelps Vocational High School along with a certificate in Drafting Engineering.

    He enlisted in the United States Air Force in October 1960. After basic training, he was assigned to the Civil Engineering Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey as a Draftsman. During his distinguished military career, he received three Associate Degrees in Applied Sciences to include Audiovisual Services, Social Sciences and Club Management from the Community College of the Air Force. He was awarded the United States Air Force Certificate of Distinguished Scholastic Achievement along with numerous other military awards and decorations. He retired after twenty-seven years of honorable service with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.

    Mr. Baten earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Summa Cum Laude, in Criminology from Saint Leo University and a Master of Science Degree, with Honors, in Human Resources Management from Golden Gate University. He is a member of the Delta Epsilon Sigma National Honor Society and the recipient of the Golden Gate University Certificate of Accomplishment for Outstanding Academic Achievement in the School of Management.

    While serving as a Substance Abuse Counselor at the Office of Social Actions, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, he became associated with the Sumter County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. From 1974 to 1982, he provided services as an Addiction Counselor, Drug Diversion Group Leader and Alcohol Traffic Safety School Instructor. After retiring from the Air Force, he became a full-time employee with the Commission.

    He has previously held the positions of School Intervention Program Coordinator, Pre-Trial Intervention Coordinator, Intervention Services Director and Deputy Director.

    He is currently the Executive Director and has held that position since 1995. He has over thirty years of experience in the alcohol and drug abuse field. He is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program Instructor (ADSAP) with the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, a Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist with the National Board of Cognitive Therapists, a Licensed Master Social Worker, South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners and a Substance Abuse Professional with the National Association for Addiction Professionals.

    Mr. Baten is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Goodfellows Club of Sumter and Vice President of the Sumter Branch NAACP. He served as a Certified Registration and Elections Commissioner of Sumter County from 1999 to 2004. He was appointed and commissioned a State Constable by the Governor of South Carolina.

    He was married to the late Carrie E. Brockington (Lincoln High School Class of 1968) for twenty-one years. He has a daughter, Alexandra (MS Degree, Troy State University) and a son, Christopher (BS Degree, University of South Carolina, Columbia.) He attends the Palmetto Chapel, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.

    He received the Sumter Branch NAACP Political Actions Award in November 2002. He was recognized in February 2003 by A House Resolution from the South Carolina House of Representatives for his dedication to promoting racial equality and his distinguished military career.

    Mr. Baten was elected to serve as Councilman for Sumter County, District 7, in November 2004.
    Over the past thirty years, he has helped many Sumter citizens to make positive changes in their lifestyle.
    His motto is, "You cannot erase your past but you can paint a beautiful future."