South Carolina cops seek help in search for missing executive Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/02/20/south-carolina-cops-seek-help-in-search-for-missing-executive/?test=latestnews#ixzz1n16qHk6H

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  Top Lobbyist for the South Carolina Hospitality Association, Tom Sponseller, pictured here in a flyer distributed on a facebook page set up for his search, was last seen at the organization's office in downtown Columbia, S.C. Saturday afternoon.

COLUMBIA, S.C. –  A top hotel and restaurant industry lobbyist from South Carolina vanished over the weekend, and local authorities can't rule out foul play.

Tom Sponseller, president and CEO of the South Carolina Hospitality Association, was reported missing on Saturday night by a relative after friends and family tried repeatedly to contact him by phone. Those close to Sponseller said it is highly unusual for him not to answer their calls or contact them.

Foul play is not being ruled out of the investigation, according to a spokeswoman for the Columbia Police Department where the lobbyist’s office is located.

Sponseller, 61, was last seen at work in downtown Columbia around noon on Saturday and his car was still in the vicinity, according to police.

A relative who answered the phone at Sponseller’s home declined to comment, but the missing man's family has set up a Facebook page to help with the search.

Sponseller is a Citadel graduate and a former Air Force officer, according to his biography on the South Carolina Hospitality Association’s website.

He has been lobbying for the state’s hospitality and tourism industry for over twenty years. He is married and has three adult children, all of whom have worked in hospitality, according to the bio.

“Tom has served as President and CEO for nearly 22 years.  He is a prominent hospitality industry leader here in our state as well as nationally," said a spokesman for the lobbying group. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom’s family and friends.”

Anyone with information is urged to call Midlands Crime Stoppers at (888) CRIME-SC of the Columbia Police Department at (803) 545-3500.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/02/20/south-carolina-cops-seek-help-in-search-for-missing-executive/?test=latestnews#ixzz1n16y5mpZ