Councilman Oliver was elected in 2023. He is a small business owner in Forest Acres with a history of serving on various boards and committees including the city's Zoning Board of Appeals. He also served on the Forest Acres Beautification Foundation and Trenholm Little League.
Stephen Oliver's family moved from Virginia to Columbia, South Carolina when he was a young child. He grew up in Northeast Columbia and was active in church youth group and graduated from Richland Northeast High School. He continued his education at Clemson University where upon graduating with a degree in marketing, he returned to Columbia with his new wife, Laura who he says was the real prize of his time in Tiger Town. The family's first house was a rental on Trenholm Road before they had children and purchased a home in Northeast Columbia. The new family quickly realized that they missed Forest Acres and needed to return. They now live in their "forever home" in the heart of Forest Acres near Trenholm Park, where Oliver also served for years on the Trenholm Little League board.
In 2008, Oliver and his brother recognized that the downtown Columbia area was in desperate need of a pool supply store. The idea of Jack Oliver’s Pool, Spa, and Patio was born, with its first location on Millwood Avenue. As the business succeeded and grew, the company began looking for a more permanent location, and with both brothers living in Forest Acres, they said they knew that is where they wanted to be. The business-friendly environment of Forest Acres was a draw, and with the former Goodwood store available, Jack Oliver's Pool, Spa, and Patio knew it had found our home. Through hard work and great employees, the family business has become a namesake in Forest Acres.
Oliver hopes his experience as a small business owner in Forest Acres will provide valuable insight to our City Council and thriving City. "Forest Acres is growing and expanding, and I want everyone to know my door is always open to hearing any concerns or praises," adds Oliver. "Growth is important in Forest Acres and I want to see it done responsibly."