COLUMBIA, SC (December 3, 2025) – The South Carolina Education Lottery Commission today introduced two new board members at its quarterly meeting. John D. “Jack” Osteen, of Sumter, and Frances “Francie” Daniel Austin, of Charleston, will each help support the Lottery’s mission to responsibly raise funds to improve education in South Carolina.
“We are so excited to announce these new members to our Board of Commissioners,” said South Carolina Education Lottery Chief Executive Officer Dolly Garfield. “The diverse talents and experiences they bring to the table will not only benefit our work but fuel efforts that will allow our state to thrive.”
Osteen is co-owner of The Sumter Item, serving as Editor and Publisher from 2005-2018. He co-owns Osteen Publishing Co. and owns The Lexington County Chronicle, The Bluffton Sun, The Hilton Head Sun and The Daniel Island News. He is also a co-owner of a group of newspapers in Baldwin County, AL. Osteen is a commercial real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Commercial Cornerstone in Sumter specializing in Senior Housing, and named to the Bronze Circle of Distinction in 2024. A Sumter native, Osteen has served as chairman of the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce (2015 Businessperson of the Year), president of the Sumter Rotary Club (2015 Rotarian of the Year), president of the South Carolina Press Association, president of the YMCA board and Chairman of the United Way Board. In 2016, he was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Public Service Award. He currently serves as the chair of the economic restructuring committee for Downtown Sumter, as well as a member of the Sumter Economic Development Board and Sumter EDGE. He is a graduate of both Leadership Sumter and leadership South Carolina. Osteen is a graduate of Woodberry Forest High School in Virginia and a graduate of the University of South Carolina.
Austin is a lifelong Charlestonian. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Clemson University and a Juris Doctor degree from the Charleston School of Law. While in law school, Austin was involved in the Intellectual Property Society, Real Estate Society, and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Austin has the proud distinction of being the first lottery commissioner to have achieved a lottery-funded LIFE Scholarship. Austin has been employed with the City of North Charleston since 2011. For over 12 years, she has served as the Deputy City Attorney. Her responsibilities include assisting City Council, the Mayor, City administrators, department heads, employees, boards, commissions, and dependent special districts. Prior to her service with the City of North Charleston, Austin clerked for the Honorable Roger M. Young.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to welcome our two newest commissioners to our great team,” said Chairman of the Board Sam Litchfield. “I look forward to serving with each of them in the coming year as we work together to uplift South Carolina’s best and brightest resource, our children.”
To learn more about the Lottery’s Board of Commissioners and read their bios, visit https://www.sceducationlottery.com/Lottery/Commission.
Since 2002, the Lottery has transferred more than $9 BILLION in proceeds to support educational programs in South Carolina.
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