Harry Lesesne
Executive Director
hlesesne@charlestonparksconservancy.org
Harry Lesesne is the Executive Director of the Charleston Parks Conservancy. Prior to assuming his current position, he was the Senior Advisor to Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. where he was responsible for advising the mayor on all aspects of city government.
In his career he has served as an officer in the United States Army, South Carolina Director for The Conservation Fund, Associate Director of the University of South Carolina Bicentennial Celebration, and Research Assistant Professor of Southern Studies at the University of South Carolina. He is the author or editor of two books, including A History of the University of South Carolina, 1940-2000.
A graduate of Duke University, he earned a Master’s Degree and Doctorate in history from the University of South Carolina.