SC DHEC board picks labor chief to lead agency

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The director of South Carolina’s labor agency may be taking the helm of the state’s environmental agency.

The board that oversees the Department of Health and Environmental Control has picked Catherine Templeton as its new director. The decision Wednesday followed a four-month search involving several hundred applications.

Templeton’s selection must be approved by Gov. Nikki Haley and then be confirmed by the Senate.

The board has named deputy commissioner Bob King as acting commissioner, effective Feb. 1.

Commissioner Earl Hunter is retiring after 30 years with the agency.

Haley replaced all six of DHEC’s board members last year to create what she called a pro-business environmental board. Its chairman is the CEO of a construction company.

Templeton now leads the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.