Southern Charm

Kathryn Calhoun Dennis was born in Charleston and raised on her family plantation in the countryside surrounding the historical town. With an understanding and a love for both town and country living, Kathryn is the true essence of what it is to be a Southern Belle. Her remarkable pedigree, mapped out in her three names, is a rare culmination of historically significant families. She is the granddaughter of Senator Rembert Coney Dennis, who served 50 years in the South Carolina. When he retired in 1989, he left behind a prolific legacy and is known as the last political giant of that era in South Carolina. Kathryn is also a direct descendent of John C. Calhoun, 7th Vice President of the United States under Presidents John Quincey Adams and Andrew Jackson and was part of the "Great Triumvirate" who dominated American politics for much of the first half of the 19th century.

Kathryn is best known for her stylish appreciation of old and new. Working in politics on both the state and Federal levels proved to be a natural fit for her. She is committed to giving back to her community and to preserving the southern values that she was raised with. Kathryn is the proud mother of two beautiful children that prove to be her true heartbeat.

Thomas Ravenel was born in Charleston, South Carolina and is the youngest of six children. In 1981, Ravenel was accepted to enter the Corps of Cadets at The Citadel, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1985. After graduation, he sold real estate for four years. In 1991, he earned a Masters in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina, emphasizing Finance and Real Estate. In 1992, Ravenel founded Ravenel Development Corporation, a commercial real estate development company, and moved it the next year to Atlanta where he began to concentrate on retail projects including freestanding, single-tenant stores and strip-mall developments. He returned to Charleston in 1995. In 2006, Ravenel was elected statewide to the office of State Treasurer for the state of South Carolina. As State Treasurer, he was chairman of The State Board of Financial Institutions for the State of South Carolina, a member of The Budget and Control Board for the State of South Carolina, a member of The State of South Carolina Retirement System, which invests approximately $30 billion in funds for the benefit of retired state employees.

Ravenel is active in national and state organizations that promote free enterprise and liberty such as The Cato Institute. He is a member of the French Huguenot Church of Charleston and a number of South Carolina organizations. Ravenel is the proud father of daughter, Kensington Calhoun Ravenel and son, St. Julien Rembert Ravenel. In what little free time he now has, Ravenel enjoys spending time with his kids, polo, boating and traveling.

Austen Kroll was born a bit further north in Washington D.C., but finds himself in Charleston by way of Charlotte, NC. Growing up in the south, his parents Tom and Wendy raised him to be the contagiously charismatic, undoubtedly kind and relentlessly loyal friend that every southern gentleman should strive to be. After graduating from the University of Alabama, Austen, forever the adventurous spirit, headed to the Rocky Mountains and his travels found him as far as New Zealand.

In the immortal words of Paul 'Bear' Bryant, "Mama called, and when mama calls then you just have to come running." This ramblin' man finally felt the tug of home calling, and made his way back down south. Charleston seemed like the obvious choice for the young stargazer who vacationed with his family at their second home on Kiawah Island since childhood.

Not soon after relocating, Austen found himself in the company of none other than Mr. Shep Rose. The two became fast friends, and even faster competition to the fair ladies of the low country. The pair shares an affinity for golf, over imbibing and leisurely activities.

Since arriving in Charleston, he has found himself immersed in the local craft beer scene, eventually moving his way to selling beer for a regional craft brewery out of Atlanta. Although he has found much joy and gained integral experience working within the industry, this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg for Austen. Where does he plan on going from here? Not even he knows. Much intrigue, and a "sky's the limit" attitude, surround this perplexing question. But if you ask Austen, that's just the way he likes it.

Believe it or not, we are entering the fifth season of Southern Charm. It's similar to the Fifth Dimension which was an attempt to develop a theory that unifies the four fundamental forces in nature: strong and weak nuclear forces, gravity and electromagnetism. For Southern Charm has largely propagated the properties of physics: Inertia, pressure, gravity, the bending of time. We have seen this cast of characters develop in front of our very eyes! Like a gentle tide, many have surged and receded to the delight and/or dismay of those around them and the viewers at home alike. And now, as Shakespeare so eloquently wrote about war, "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more."

This year has Mr. Shepard Rose in a state of sedation, he put his heart out into the harsh and unforgiving climate of deep romance and it tragically yielded to the elements. So now he sits in his lonely castle of solitude on the shores of the Atlantic plotting his return and re-gaining his strength. Through it all Mr. Rose is surprisingly pleased with how life has brought him to this nexus. He's coming to grips with the fact that he's no longer a young man, but he also realizes that he'll never lose that adolescent spark and roguish spirit. So now, he must find a balance. He believes that this current lifestyle is the beginning of a new and exciting chapter. He has scars and he won't hide them. At the risk of sounding trite, he will "pick his spots" and "keep things simple" all while continuing to strive for happiness and extemporaneous adventure.