South Carolina has a new employment, workforce director

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South Carolina has a new executive director of the Department of Employment and Workforce.

The South Carolina Senate approved William H. Floyd as the next leader. Gov. Henry McMaster nominated Floyd in March.

Previously the agency's chief of staff, Floyd has served as acting executive director since March 1, following the retirement of executive director Dan Ellzey, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

“The Department of Employment and Workforce has been vital to South Carolina's recent, record-breaking economic success,” McMaster said in a statement. “William Floyd’s outstanding track record as a renowned labor and employment attorney and his experience as SCDEW chief of staff make him well-equipped to lead this critical agency and effectively bridge the gap between the state's workforce and business community.”

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Prior to joining DEW, Floyd practiced law for 35 years as a certified labor and employment law specialist and has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America since 2008, according to the release. He has served on the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors as well as the chamber’s Human Resource and Manufacturing committees. He also served on the South Carolina Bar Employment and Labor Law Section and Military Law Section. For a copy of Floyd's biography, click here.

“Great things are happening in South Carolina, and I am privileged to be part of this growth and activity as the Acting Executive Director,” Floyd in a news release at the time of his nomination. “I have spent my career as a lawyer learning the workforce needs and challenges of employers and employees. I am excited about approaching these challenges through full-time public service. As Acting Executive Director, I hope to continue the momentum of this great workforce agency and work to help coordinate an efficient and effective workforce development system on behalf of jobseekers, employers and the state.”

Floyd received his undergraduate degree from Wofford College and his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.