News and Press Releases for January 2007

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1/30/2007

Henry White Named Executive Director of Budget and Control Board

White Becomes First African-American to Lead Agency, Tom Daivs to Take Over as Governor's Chief-of-Staff

Columbia, S.C. - Henry White today was named Executive Director of the S.C. Budget and Control Board, becoming the first African-American in state history to occupy the post. The Budget and Control Board is responsible for a litany of functions in South Carolina, including procurement, personnel functions, bond oversight, and property management. White, 45, an attorney, has served in Gov. Sanford's administration for the past four years as Chief Legal Counsel and more recently as Chief of Staff as well. His position with the Budget and Control Board was effective immediately after this morning's vote by the Board, with Gov. Sanford, Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom, and Treasurer Thomas Ravenel voting in favor of naming White as Executive Director.

"When you look at what has traditionally been the case in South Carolina, putting Henry in this role is an incredibly significant step toward making sure all South Carolinians are represented in the upper levels of state government," Gov. Sanford said. "More importantly, working with Henry over the past four years I've come to know him as an incredibly fair and deliberate individual, which I think makes him well-suited to take over an agency which by its very nature is difficult to manage. I look forward to working with him in this new capacity, and know that his leadership on the Board will prove to be a real benefit to every taxpayer in South Carolina."

White said his first priority will be to assess the current structure and management of the board to determine ways to make it more efficient and accountable.

"Leading the Budget and Control Board will be an incredibly challenging task, and it's a challenge I'm eager to meet," White said. "I agree with the governor that parts of this board should be ultimately transformed into a Department of Administration similar to what is found in 49 other states, but in the meantime my goal will be to run this agency to the best of my ability with an eye always toward looking out for the taxpayers."

Tom Davis, 46, who recently rejoined the governor's staff, has been named Chief of Staff and Chief Legal Counsel to replace White. Davis was formerly an attorney with Harvey and Battey, and has previously served as co-Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor to Gov. Sanford.