Stanton resigning as DEW executive director

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Cheryl Stanton is resigning as executive director of the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, effective Dec. 7.

Stanton, nominated to the position by former S.C. governor Nikki Haley in 2013, has led the agency during a period that saw the state’s unemployment rate drop from 8.1% in June 2013 to a record low of 3.3% in October.

Jamie Suber, who has served as DEW’s assistant executive director of the Unemployment Insurance Division since September 2015, will serve as acting director. Suber has been at DEW in several positions since 2007.

“While the time has come for me to move on to new opportunities, my experience at DEW has been incredible,” Stanton said in a news release. “I cannot underscore how proud I am of the employees at this agency. Their dedication and determination to make a difference has been inspiring, and I am humbled to have been part of that effort. I will always remain grateful for the opportunity, and I am happy to leave the agency with outstanding leadership in place.”

Gov. Henry McMaster said Stanton’s tenure at DEW has “made our state stronger,” adding, “We look forward to working with industry leaders and members of the General Assembly to find the next executive director that will continue to build on the agency’s successes.”