Gov. McMaster nominates Columbia-area attorney to chair SC health department board
Gov. Henry McMaster announced Friday he is nominating Columbia-area attorney Robert Bolchoz to chair the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control board, succeeding Mark Elam, who is retiring.
“Mr. Elam has worked tirelessly to serve the people of South Carolina, his leadership and dedication to his role as chairman made him a valuable asset as the state responded to the COVID-19 pandemic,” McMaster said in a statement Friday. “I have full confidence that Mr. Bolchoz’s previous experiences will allow him to make a seamless transition into the role of Chairman and continue to move South Carolina’s public health and environmental missions forward.”
Elam will continue to serve as DHEC’s board chair until Bolchoz is confirmed by the state Senate.
A graduate of South Carolina’s military college, The Citadel, with a law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law, Bolchoz, a McMaster campaign donor, lives in West Columbia and practices law.
He served seven years in the 9th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and was chief deputy attorney general from 1995-1998 and again in 2017, the governor’s office said. As chief deputy attorney general, Bolchoz supervised the legal counsel at the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.
“I appreciate Gov. McMaster’s confidence in me and look forward to the opportunity to serve the State of South Carolina during this challenging but exciting period,” Bolchoz said.
Elam was the DHEC board chair for almost four years, two of which were dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Every member of our Board is committed to ensuring that decisions made by DHEC are protective of our state’s citizens and environment,” Elam said in a statement. “I am proud of the work of this Board and, more importantly, DHEC’s employees as those efforts have a direct, positive impact on every South Carolinian and visitor to our great state.”
This story was originally published January 7, 2022 at 3:20 PM with the headline "Gov. McMaster nominates Columbia-area attorney to chair SC health department board."
