SCDNR Leadership
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources advocates and acts as the steward of South Carolina’s natural resources. The agency is advised through a governing board appointed by the governor who is charged to lead regulatory and policy-making decisions. Additionally, there are several advisory committees to give the people of South Carolina the ability to actively participate with the SCDNR board and the agency.
Furthermore, to ensure proper management, the agency is comprised of five divisions: Administration Division, Land, Water and Conservation Division, Law Enforcement Division, and Marine Resources Division.
Executive Director — Robert Boyles
As director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Boyles serves as the chief administrator and is responsible for the management and supervision of the agency’s five divisions. Prior to being unanimously confirmed as director, Boyles served as the deputy director of the Marine Resources Division from 2003 to 2019. During this time, he also represented South Carolina on several national and regional marine resources stewardship panels, served on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (2005-2012), and was the vice chair (2006-2009) and chair (2010-2011) of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Robert holds a Master of Marine Policy from the University of Delaware and a B.S. in Mathematical Economics from Wake Forest University. Additionally, Robert was a Bradley Fellow in Marine Policy at the Duke University Marine Lab.
Chief of Staff — Shannon Bobertz
Shannon Bobertz started her career in the legal office at SCDNR in 2013 as Assistant Chief Counsel. She was appointed General Counsel in 2014, and served in this role until being appointed Chief of Staff in 2022. As theChief of Staff, she helps coordinate activities of the Deputy Directors and Executive Office staff to streamline operations, improve communications, enhance external and internal customer service and implement projects as requested by the Board and the Director.
Shannon graduated with a B.A. from Cornell College and a J.D. from University of South Carolina School of Law.
Division Leadership
Administration Division — Angie Cassella
Angie Cassella began her career with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in 2000 as the agency’s internal auditor. She was promoted to deputy director in 2018 and now oversees the integral internal and external business functions of the agency.
Angie earned her B.S. in Accounting from the University of South Carolina.
Land, Water, Conservation Division — Ken Rentiers
Ken Rentiers has been deputy director of the Land, Water and Conservation Division since 2009. In his role, his primary duties include overseeing, developing and implementing policies and programs that study, manage and conserve the state’s land and water resources.
Rentiers received his B.S. in Political Science from the College of Charleston and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Law Enforcement Division — Col. Chisolm Frampton
Col. Chisolm Frampton first joined the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in 1993 as a private first class. Since that time, he proactively moved rank and served in many capacities to include Executive Protection for then Governor David Beasley until reaching the rank of Colonel. Among his many honors and awards, Col. Frampton has been cited by the U.S. Coast Guard for the Meritorious Service Medal for maritime security as well as being the recipient of the state’s highest honor, the Order of the Palmetto.
Col. Frampton received his B.S. in Political Science from the College of Charleston and graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.
Marine Resources Division — Blaik Keppler
Blaik Keppler has been with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources since 2007. Prior to becoming the Marine Resources Deputy Director in 2022, she served as the director of the Coastal Reserves and Outreach section and the ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve Manager.
Keppler received her Master’s in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston and a B.S. in Coastal and Marine Resources from North Carolina State University.
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries — Emily Cope
Emily Cope started her career with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in 1999 and has served in numerous positions including habitat protection coordinator, assistant regional wildlife biologist, forest stewardship program supervisor, and SCDNR assistant director before filling the deputy director role in 2011. The primary activities of her career have involved providing technical assistance to landowners, supervising habitat protection efforts across South Carolina, and building partnerships to support the mission of SCDNR.
Cope earned her Master’s and B.S. in Wildlife Biology from Clemson University.
Executive Leadership
Audits Manager — Caleb-Scott Cahoon
General Counsel — Susan Porter
Director of Government Affairs — Kevin Ryan
Director of Human Resources — Eva Smith
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Organizational Chart (PDF)