Skip to main content

The Honorable Daniel J. Rickenmann

1737 Main Street
Columbia, SC 29201
803-447-9768
[email protected] 

  • Columbia-Fort Jackson Joint Committee on Cooperation Chair
  • Council Legislative Committee Chair

Quick facts about Mayor Rickenmann:

  • Named top 20 under 40 by The State Newspaper.
  • Selected as one of six Green Leaders in Red State by Fortune magazine.
  • Hand-picked by American Swiss Foundation to attend Young Leaders Conference in Zurich Switzerland.
  • Chosen twice by American Council of Young Political Leaders for exchange programs in Egypt and China.

Daniel Rickenmann is the son of Swiss immigrants. His family immigrated to the United States in 1967. Daniel was born in 1969 and was raised in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Daniel’s father passed away when he was 8 years old, and he was raised by his single mother in a household where they spoke two languages.

He came to the University of South Carolina in 1987 to attend the only program in the Southeast for students with dyslexia. He fell in love with Columbia and never left.

After graduating, Rickenmann worked two jobs and saved up to start his own business. His successful restaurant led to more opportunities to invest and grow in Columbia’s community.

In 2009, Rickenmann founded a renewable energy company with innovative solutions on generating power in local communities.

Rickenmann has served two stints on Columbia city council. He was both an at-large member, representing the whole city, and the member from District 4.

Daniel is married to Dr. Laura Rickenmann, a local pediatrician. Together, they have two daughters, Ellie and Carlyle, and two dogs, Lulu and Quila.