Anita G. Zucker

Anita's headshot
Chairperson and CEO, The InterTech Group

Anita Zucker is a graduate of the University of Florida, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She received a Master of Education degree from the University of North Florida in Educational Administration and Supervision.

Anita taught elementary school for over ten years and now serves as Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer for The InterTech Group, Inc. She also owns the Carolina Ice Palace, the Original Ms. Rose’s Fine Food and Cocktails, Tristan restaurant on Market Street, and the South Carolina Stingrays.

Anita is a past President of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, and of The Education Foundation of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce (Anita is one of the founders of The Education Foundation). She also chaired the Drug-Free Workplace Program and participated in the School to Work Task Force. Anita is a past vice-president of Education and Leadership and formerly chaired the Business Education Council, and the Business Education Partnership Committee.

Ms. Zucker serves on The Coastal Community Foundation Board and is a past President. She also serves as a trustee (the first woman) of the Saul Alexander Foundation and The Jewish Endowment Fund, which are supporting organizations of The Coastal Community Foundation.

In addition, Anita is a past board & executive board member of the Trident United Way. She is also past board chair, past chair of the Strategic planning committee, past campaign chair and past chair of the Community Building Committee. She has recently rejoined the Trident United Way Board and served as chairperson for the 2008 Day of Caring. Anita also served as the Tocqueville Society chair for the 2009 campaign.

Anita is a past chairperson with ten years of service on the Advisory Board of the Charleston Area HUB for Math, Science, and Technology which was located at The College of Charleston. This organization worked with teachers, pre and post graduation, to enhance their science, math, and technology skills in the classroom.

Ms. Zucker was appointed to the Trident Technical College Area Commission by the legislative delegation in October 2007, where she continues to serve as a trustee.  She is a former member of the Trident Technical College Foundation Board and Executive Board and is a past chairperson. She was a ten-year member of the Advisory Board of the College of Charleston’s School of Languages and World Culture. She has been on the College of Charleston’s Board of Governors of the School of Business for over ten years and is the immediate past chairperson.

Ms. Zucker served on the board of Jewish Studies, Inc. which built the Jewish Studies Building at the College of Charleston. She has also served for many years on the Jewish Studies Advisory Board (where she is now a life member), almost since its inception. She has served on the boards of the Addlestone Hebrew Academy, Porter Gaud School and Ashley Hall School. Ms. Zucker is also past president of the Charleston Jewish Federation.  She is also a member of the Committee for the Holocaust Memorial at Marion Square and past fundraising chair. She served as the Adult board chair of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, as president of Synagogue Emanu-El Sisterhood, and as president of Women’s American ORT.  She also served as a member of the Trident Public Education Foundation, as a past member of the South Carolina Business Education Partnership Committee for Excellence in Education, and as a past member and former chair of the South Carolina Network of Business Partners for Education.

Ms. Zucker is the immediate past chair of the Medical University of South Carolina Foundation and is a past chairperson of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee of the Hollings Cancer Center.  Ms. Zucker is a Director Emeritus for both of these organizations and she currently chairs a new advisory board for the Neuroscience Department.  She also served as a past member of the first “Race For the Cure” Committee.   Anita also was co-chair and honorary chair of the YWCA Steering Committee for TWIN (Tribute to Women in Business and Industry). She is a founder of and past co-chair of Tiffany Circle in Charleston, a national women’s society established by the Red Cross. She has served on numerous other boards throughout the state and community.

Ms. Zucker is also a member of the Rotary Club of Charleston and is a past president of her club. She has received the Rotarian of the Year Award from Rotary District 7770 and has received the Service Above Self Award from the Rotary Club of Charleston and from the North Charleston Rotary Club.

Ms. Zucker currently serves on the board of Teammates For Kids Foundation.

Ms. Zucker is also the recipient of The Book of Golden Deeds award presented by The Exchange Club of Charleston.

As of October of 2005, Ms. Zucker was appointed by Governor Mark Sanford and served as a member of the Education and Economic Development Coordinating Council of the State. The EEDACC is charged with implementing the legislation for this bill which was passed in May of 2005. This legislation will impact K-16 Education in the State of South Carolina.  In May of 2012 Secretary of Commerce, Bobby Hitt, appointed Ms. Zucker to the SC Aerospace Task Force to work on a strategic plan for the State, dealing with workforce development and infrastructure.

Ms. Zucker is also Vice Chair of The Charleston Promise Neighborhood Board which was formed in 2010 to work with four high poverty schools in Charleston County.  Ms. Zucker is also chair of an education endeavor, The Tri-County Cradle to Career Collaboration.   This Collaboration is not a new initiative or program; it is simply a commitment to align our work to ensure all children are successfully meeting important milestones from birth to when they begin a career.  

Ms. Zucker is a recipient of the following awards, just to name a few: the “Order of the Palmetto” presented by Governor David Beasley for her dedication to education, an honorary Doctorate of Education degree, presented by the Citadel in May 1998 for her dedication to the field of education, and a Doctor of Humane letters presented in 1999 by Johnson and Wales University.

 Ms. Zucker is a recipient of the Malcolm D. Haven award from The Community Foundation presented in October of 2000 for her contributions and accomplishments for the betterment of the Tri-county community. She is also a recipient of the Joseph P. Riley Leadership Award presented by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce in June of 2001. Ms. Zucker is the recipient of numerous other awards including the Charleston Jewish Federation’s inaugural “Light Unto the Nations” award honoring both Mr. and Ms. Zucker and the South Carolina Ambassadors for Economic Development for Charleston County presented by Governor Sanford in September of 2008 and most recently, the Champions for Education Award (which has been renamed, The Zucker Champions for Education Award).

Further, Ms. Zucker is a recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award and the President’s Award from the University of Florida.  Ms. Zucker also holds honorary doctoral degrees from the College of Charleston and the Medical University of South Carolina.

In January of 2013, Ms. Zucker received the Wilkins Award for Excellence in Civic Leadership.

Anita is the widow of Jerry Zucker. She has three children, Jonathan and his wife, Laura, Andrea and her husband, Nicolas Muzin, and Jeffrey and his wife, Jessica. Anita now has five grandchildren, Stella, Daisy and Jerry M. Muzin and Jeremy and Gabriella Zucker.

 
Awards/Honors

  • Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Sorority: 1977
  • Young Leadership Award Winner—Council of Jewish Federations: 1985
  • Phi Delta Kappa Award—Outstanding Support of Public Education: 1988
  • TWIN-Tribute to Women in Business and Industry: 1992
  • Charlestonian of the Year—Charleston Magazine: 1997
  • Hadassah Myrtle Wreath Award—for living up to the ideals of Hadassah and support of the Jewish people of the United States: 1998
  • Honorary Doctorate of Education—The Citadel: 1998
  • Woman of Distinction—Girl Scouts of America: 1999
  • Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters—Johnson and Wales University: 1999
  • Malcolm D. Haven Award—Coastal Community Foundation: 2000
  • Service Above Self Award—North Charleston Rotary Club-in recognition of significant contributions to the quality of life for all citizens of the Low Country: 2000
  • The Reverend Alanson B. Houghton Award-presented to the Zucker family—Youth Service Charleston: 2000
  • Joseph P. Riley Leadership Award—Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce: 2001
  • Aaron Solomon Award for Volunteerism—Charleston Jewish Federation
  • Beta Sigma Gamma Honorary Business Society—College of Charleston
  • YWCA Lifetime Achievement Award for special recognition of outstanding leadership in business and industry
  • Light Unto the Nations Award—presented to Jerry and Anita (first recipients of this award) by the Charleston Jewish Federation: 2001
  • Arthur J. Clement Award-presented to Jerry and Anita Zucker for Excellence in Race Relations—Trident Urban League: 2001
  • Book of Golden Deeds—The Exchange Club of Charleston: 2004
  • Outstanding Club President—The Rotary Club of Charleston, District 7770: 2003-2004
  • Rotarian of the Year—The Rotary Club of Charleston: 2004-2005
  • District Rotarian of the Year—The Rotary Club of Charleston, District 7770: 2005-2006
  • Charles P. Darby Community Activist of the Year—Trident United Way: 2006
  • Woman of Distinction-Lifetime Achievement Award—Girl Scouts of America: 2006
  • Humanitarian of the Year presented to Jerry and Anita Zucker—Charleston Animal Society: 2008
  • South Carolina Ambassadors for Economic Development – Charleston County: 2008
  • Champions for Education Award, renamed
  • “The Zucker Champions for Education Award” —The Education Foundation: 2008
  • The Jerry Zucker Entrepreneurial Spirit Award —State Department of Education’s Career and Technology Department: 2008
  • Distinguished Alumnus Award – University of Florida: 2009
  • Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters Degree – College of Charleston: May 2010
  • Women’s Leadership Council-Role Model Award – Trident United Way: May 13, 2010
  • Friend of Public Education Lifetime Award – Charleston County School District: May 18, 2010
  • Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters Degree-Medical University of South Carolina: May 2010
  • Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Influential Women in Business – CEO Category Winner: October 2010
  • Best Philanthropist Award – Charleston City Paper: 2011
  • Summey Barkley Rucker Medallion Award: May 2011
  • President’s Award – Charleston Trident Urban League, Inc.: November 4, 2011
  • Award for Excellence in Civic Leadership – David H. Wilkins Award: January 8, 2013