SCDNR Director Boyles to retire after more than 30 years of service

August 20, 2024

Media contact: Greg Lucas, 864-380-5201, lucasg@dnr.sc.gov; or Stephen Fastenau, 803-240-4385, fastenaus@dnr.sc.gov.

After nearly 32 years of service to the state of South Carolina, Robert H. Boyles Jr., director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), has announced his retirement effective January 2025. Boyles has served as SCDNR director since May 2019.

"Serving as SCDNR director has been the honor of my professional life, and I recognize that any success I have enjoyed is the result of the passion, vision and commitment that our staff and our partners bring to the realm of natural resources stewardship every day," Boyles said. "I’d like to offer my profound thanks to Gov. McMaster, the SCDNR Board, the members of the S.C. General Assembly, and our conservation partners throughout South Carolina for their devotion to natural resources conservation throughout our wonderful state."

Boyles began his career with SCDNR as an hourly employee in 1992. Prior to being unanimously confirmed as director, Boyles served as the agency’s deputy director for the Marine Resources Division from 2003 to 2019. He serves as president of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, chair of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Board of Directors, and chair of the National Fish Habitat Partnership Board. He has represented South Carolina on several national and regional marine resources stewardship panels including the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and served as chair and vice chair of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

"Director Boyles has been a consummate professional and key member of my cabinet, providing steady leadership throughout his tenure," Gov. Henry McMaster said. "Under his direction, DNR has thrived, making significant progress in protecting our state's wildlife and natural resources. I wish him the best of luck as he begins his next chapter, and I thank him for his nearly 32 years of dedicated service to South Carolina."

In October 2023, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recognized Boyles as recipient of the Captain David H. Hart Award for his outstanding contributions to, and exceptional leadership towards, the sustainable management of marine resources along the eastern seaboard. Boyles holds a Master of Marine Policy from the University of Delaware and a Bachelor of Science in mathematical economics from Wake Forest University. Additionally, he was a Bradley Fellow in Marine Policy at the Duke University Marine Lab.

"Director Boyles has served SCDNR well for many years and has made invaluable contributions to the agency and the state of South Carolina," SCDNR Board Chairman Norman Pulliam said. "SCDNR is a well-managed organization, and Director Boyles has laid impressive groundwork to ensure it remains a premier state agency for years to come. As we begin the process for selecting a new director, I'm sure he will be available any way he can to help us choose another capable leader."

The SCDNR Board will conduct a through process to determine Boyles’ successor, with the advice and consent of the state Senate.