By The Associated Press
Senators say the board of South Carolina’s public health and environmental agency got it right this time in selecting its leader.
The Senate Medical Affairs Committee advanced Thursday the confirmation of Greenville attorney Catherine Heigel as director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control. The unanimous vote followed 15 minutes of glowing comments on her selection.
It was a striking difference from the committee’s tough questioning of Eleanor Kitzman, Gov. Nikki Haley’s last pick for the position. The governor’s longtime friend withdrew from the process before the committee’s scheduled second day of questioning.
Senators say Heigel’s experience represents a good balance between business and environmental interests.
Heigel was president of Duke Energy’s South Carolina operations. She is currently on the board of South Carolina’s chapter of the Nature Conservancy.
