DHEC mulls director choice

The board that oversees the state Department of Health and Environmental Control started zeroing in Thursday on its new choice for agency director.

No information on anyone under consideration from 99 applicants for the post will be made public until after the selection, DHEC spokeswoman Cassie Harris said.

Board members are slated to meet again Friday.

Their pick goes to the State Senate for confirmation.

DHEC is one of the state’s largest agencies, regulating everything from hospital expansion to industrial pollution.

The new search comes after the withdrawal of Eleanor Kitzman, an insurance executive and friend of Gov. Nikki Haley who lacked experience in environmental and health issues.

Kitzman stepped aside after complaints about how she received the nomination without competition four days after previous director Catherine Templeton stepped down. Templeton led DHEC for three years.

Tim Flach

This story was originally published April 23, 2015 at 10:12 PM with the headline "DHEC mulls director choice."