SC Gov. Haley names new chief of staff

Gov. Nikki Haley’s next chief of staff is a former military attorney and chairman of the State Ethics Commission.

The newly re-elected Republican governor announced Thursday that James Burns will replace Ted Pitts, who has taken a job with the S.C. Chamber of Commerce.

Pitts has been part of Haley’s administration since she took office in January 2011, initially as deputy chief of staff. In that role, the former state House member was a liaison to legislators and agencies. Haley named Pitts as chief of staff last fall.

Burns is a partner with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, one of the state’s largest law firms. The 40-year-old Citadel graduate formerly worked at the Pentagon as an ethics attorney for the vice chief of naval operations and, before that, in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

Haley appointed Burns to a vacant position with the State Ethics Commission earlier this year. His five-year term was slated to end in 2018. He resigned from the commission on Nov. 4, the day of Haley’s landslide re-election victory. The governor appoints all of the commission’s board members.

“His integrity and outstanding reputation as a leader, combined with his understanding of both our policy and legislative goals, is exactly what we need to start this second term,” Haley said in a statement.

The transition will occur over the next few weeks, she said.

Burns’ salary will be $131,325, the same as Pitts’, said Haley’s spokesman, Doug Mayer.

Burns will be Haley’s fourth chief of staff.

Tim Pearson left the job in October 2012 to return to his role as her campaign manager. His replacement, former deputy attorney general Bryan Stirling, had the job for less than a year when Haley named him to lead the state prisons agency. Pitts replaced Stirling.

Pitts, a major in the S.C. Army National Guard who received a Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan, represented Lexington in the state House from 2003 until 2010. During her three terms in the House, Haley also represented a portion of Lexington County.

Pitts announced plans to run for lieutenant governor in 2009, but he dropped out of the race in October of that year after learning his unit was deploying to Afghanistan. He joined the National Guard shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

“His character, ability, and sense of duty made him indispensable – and he is not only a trusted adviser but someone who I also consider a dear friend,” Haley said. “I know how much time and dedication he has given to South Carolina, and I want to personally thank him for his contributions to our state and wish him all the best going forward.”

The announcement of his departure and replacement marks the second administrative shake-up this week.

On Monday, Haley said Christian Soura, her former deputy chief of staff, would replace the outgoing director of the state’s Medicaid agency, Tony Keck. More personnel changes for her second term are expected.