Former South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson will be Newt's "top adviser" in the important early state. (Update: Newt also has a former Fred Thompson SC consultant on board.)

National Journal:

If former House Speaker Newt Gingrich does run for president, former South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson will likely be the former House Speaker's chief strategist in the state.

"If he runs, I'll be with him," Dawson told Hotline On Call. "I'm trying to encourage him to."

Gingrich also echoed the one-time candidate for RNC chair's praises, saying there was "no question" he would be his top adviser in the crucial early state.

"I think, frankly, having Katon Dawson's help is an enormous asset," Gingrich said of his South Carolina chances.

...

"I think he fits pretty well with South Carolina ideologically," said Dawson. "Me and a team are going to work for someone we think can really change America."

Gingrich said he'll make a definitive announcement on whether he's forming an exploratory committee within the next four to five weeks, but that he's encouraged by the feedback he's received at his "Newt Explore" site he launched earlier this month and the reception he's continuing to get across the country.

Another hint he's running? At the end of his speech this afternoon to the Greenville County Republican Women's Club, he was presented a tie with the state's famous Palmetto tree emblem.

"You can expect to see me back wearing this a number of times," Gingrich joked.

Update: According to Process Story, Newt also has Walter Whetsell, who served as Fred Thompson's South Carolina consultant in 2008.