SCDNR’s leader confirmed by SC Senate

Boyles has served as interim director for seven months

After seven months as interim director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, Robert H. Boyles Jr. has been confirmed as the agency’s executive director.

The S.C. Senate voted unanimously on Feb. 13 in favor of Boyles, a Mooresville, N.C., native. He has worked for SCDNR for 22 years, including as deputy director of Marine Resources since 2003.

“I am humbled and excited for the privilege of serving as the next director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources,” Boyles said. “I look forward to working with our staff, our many constituent groups, partners, and leaders across the state to help build a durable natural resources stewardship ethic for South Carolina. We have many challenges. But I am confident that we can work together to help improve conservation of our natural resources for us and for our children.”

Boyles served as interim director since May 2019 when Alvin Taylor, the former executive director of SCDNR, retired. The SCDNR board chose Boyles as his replacement, subject to Senate confirmation.

Boyles served on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council from 2005 to 2012 and as a commissioner on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, including service as vice chair (2006-2009) and chair (2010-2011).

Boyles received his bachelor’s degree in mathematical economics from Wake Forest University. He earned a master of marine policy from the University of Delaware. He was a Bradley Fellow in Marine Policy at the Duke University Marine Lab in 1991.