Michael Wines

I am an accomplished and energetic leader with a solid history of achievement in various aspects of society. I am a self-motivated leader with strong organizational and prioritization abilities. I am service-oriented with more than twenty years of background in multiple fast-paced environments. I have unmatched core competencies, as well as excellent communication and time management skills. I handle tasks with accuracy and efficiency. I love all thing's history, and related to problem solving, and business management. Seasoned professional in law enforcement recognized for high productivity and efficiency in completing tasks. Skilled in critical incident response, crime scene management, and community policing, which enhance ability to serve and protect effectively. Excel in communication, problem-solving, and leadership, ensuring positive outcomes in high-pressure situations.

My professional career started in 2003 at the Columbia Police Department. Throughout my time at that department, I quickly gained a supervisor role. During my tenure I was appointed to several important roles (some of them simultaneously). I was an FTO, I served on the Community Response Team, Bomb squad, K9 team, the joint Organized Crime Task force. I served as the Chief’s liaison, which was a customer service role dealing with community concerns city wide and enacted operational solutions to solve those issues. I ended my career at the PD in 2012 to pursue a private business venture. I loved my job at the PD, but I was newlywed and had a new daughter. I wanted to provide a more financially secure future which unfortunately couldn’t be provided in the local government sector.

I started Old Capital Tours in Columbia SC in 2013. OCT was a history and ghost tour company that offered guest opportunities to tour Columbia with an expert guide. We went from a staff of three to a staff of eight in the first year. I successfully opened a location in Charleston shortly after with an additional staff of ten employees. The company was sold to a larger group in 2019. I was able to reallocate all the employees to new positions under the new ownership.

During my second year of business, I also opened Palmetto State Auto Care. This was a small auto repair business that I started with a staff of three. Within the first two years we successfully grew to a staff of four mechanics, one service writer, two managers, and one owner (me). After the fourth year, we outgrew our facility, and I purchased a large facility that service both private individuals and numerous fleet accounts. This business ultimately grew to two locations with twenty-five employees. In 2023 my wife and I decided to achieve a lifelong goal of retiring to Williamsburg Va. I sold the business in 2023 to achieve that goal.

In 2023 I relocated to Williamsburg Va and took a position in Public Safety at Colonial Williamsburg. During my short time at DPS, I have transitioned our department to more efficient outer vests for SCOP officers. I have developed and incorporated a Bike Patrol Unit. I have restructured patrol routes and building checks to ensure more efficiency and less fatigue among officers. I have revamped our OC spray certification program to ensure compliance and to limit any possible liability.  I am currently attempting to update our defensive tactics program to insure officer safety and to limit liability on the Foundation in the event of the need for use of force.  I am consistently looking for budget conscious ways to better and more efficiently serve the guests and employees of Colonial Williamsburg.