Mayor John Gettys is a 1991 graduate of Erskine College, and earned his master’s degree in public administration and juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina in 1995.

Following graduation from law school, John began his private practice with the law firm of Harrelson, Hayes & Guyton from 1996 to 2001, becoming a partner with the firm in 2000. In 2001, he became a founding partner of the Morton & Gettys Law Firm.

John was elected to represent Ward 4 on Rock Hill City Council in 2002 and re-elected in 2005. After his second term, John did not run for re-election, dedicating more time to his family and growing law firm.

Throughout the years John has participated in a number of non-profit groups and community organizations. He served on the board and as president of the Early Learning Partnership; was a member of the Rock Hill School District 3 Bond Committee; South Carolina Human Affairs Commission; Boy Scouts of America, Palmetto Council District Chairman; Minority Scholarship Foundation Board Member; Member and Chairman of the Rock Hill No Room for Racism Board; member and former President of the Rock Hill Rotary Club.

John served as chairman of the Rock Hill Sports Commission from 2012 to 2017; as a member of the local South State Bank Advisory Board since 2015; and as a member of the 2017 Pennies for Progress Commission.

Recognized for his leadership, John was a recipient of the Dream Keeper Award from Rock Hill's Martin Luther King Task Force, a recipient of the Deacon Service Award at First ARP Church, and a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rock Hill Rotary Club. He was also a 2017 winner of the Community Service Merit Award from the Come-See-Me Board of Directors. John was honored as a member of the Liberty Fellowship Class of 2009 and a 2017 participant in the Diversity Leadership Initiative of the Riley Institute at Furman University.

Since becoming Mayor, John led the delegation that resulted in Rock Hill being named an All-America City in 2019.  He was named Lawyer of the Year 2021, a Leadership in Law award by South Carolina Lawyers Weekly.  John was also named 2021 Local Elected Official of the Year by Transportation Association of South Carolina (TASC).  The City of Rock Hill is an award-winning city and often recognized in a variety of areas for significant achievements.

John and his wife, Christi, have three sons, Jack, Grier and Evan. They are active members of First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill where John serves as an Elder.

John Gettys
P.O. Box 11706
Rock Hill, SC 29731-1706
Phone: 803-329-7011
John.Gettys@cityofrockhill.com