Columbia, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster today announced the formation of an advisory panel made up of a diverse group of stakeholders to assist in the search for the next director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS). The panel has been tasked with developing a set of qualifications, skills, and experience needed for the next director, which will be presented to the governor and used by a professional executive search firm to develop of list of candidates for the governor to interview.

“I look forward to working with this talented group of men and women to develop a list of criteria that will guide our search for the next director of DSS,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “Protecting South Carolina's young people and vulnerable adults in harm’s way is among the most important functions of our state government, and the search for the next director deserves kind of detailed analysis that this group and I will provide throughout this process.”

The panel includes the following individuals:

• Susan Alford, former director of SCDSS
• Sen. Katrina Shealy
• Sen. Tom Young
• Rep. Gary Clary
• Rep. Chandra Dillard
• Rep. Laurie S. Funderburk
• Olga Rosa, M.D., director of the South Carolina Children’s Advocacy Medical Response System (SCCAMRS)
• Carl Brown, Executive Director, S.C. Foster Care Association
• Karen Wingo, former SCDSS director of communications and legislative affairs
• Teresa Arnold, State Director, AARP South Carolina
• Steven Gilcrest, President, African American Chamber of Commerce
• Virginia Ann Mullikin, former SCDSS legal counsel
• Cynthia Flynn, Director, University of South Carolina Center for Child and Family Studies
• Michelle Dhunjishah, Director, University of South Carolina Children's Law Center
• Maggie Cash, Executive Director, Children’s Hospital Collaborative
• Allyn Foster, President, Southeastern Workforce Strategies

The panel’s first meeting will take place next Wednesday, August 15 at 4:00 PM in room 252 in the Edgar A. Brown building at the State House complex.

Susan Alford served as director of the agency for four years until her recent retirement on July 16. Former SCDSS chief of staff Joan Meachum is currently serving as acting director of the agency.