Senate Confirms Keel as New Public Safety Director
Columbia, SC – The Senate, by unanimous approval, has confirmed the nomination of Major Mark A. Keel as Director of the Department of Public Safety. The appointment is for a four-year term and will expire on February 01, 2012.
“I am very pleased the Governor nominated someone like Mark Keel, who is known for being a person of tremendous ability and integrity,” says Senate Judiciary Chairman, Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston). “I feel confident Mr. Keel will make an immediate impact on the Department of Public Safety and will successfully address the issues that have been highlighted recently. He demonstrated great insight of the department when he outlined his vision during the confirmation hearing and the Senate looks forward to working with him throughout his tenure.”
The new Director of the Department of Public Safety gave the following statement concerning his confirmation by the Senate:
“I appreciate the confidence Governor Sanford has placed in me by nominating me to serve as the Director of the Department of Public Safety and I am grateful to each member of the Senate for their support, confidence and trust in my abilities during the confirmation process. I look forward to being associated with the professional and hardworking employees of this agency who protect and serve the citizens of the State of South Carolina.”
Keel, 50, is currently serving as the Assistant Director and Assistant Chief at the State Law Enforcement Department (SLED), where he has served since August of 1979. Keel is a lifelong resident of South Carolina, who grew up in Barnwell County. He graduated from the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College with an Associates of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1977 and received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Georgia Southern University in 1979. Keel received his Juris Doctor in 1995 from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Before joining SLED, Keel worked with county and local law enforcement agencies including: Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Department, Barnwell Police Department, and Denmark Police Department.
Keel was nominated to be the new Director of the Department of Public Safety after Director James Schweitzer resigned in February. The Senate’s confirmation paves the way for Keel to be sworn-in at anytime.
###