Gov. Nikki Haley Announces First Department of Administration Director

COLUMBIA, SC – Governor Nikki Haley announced Marcia Adams, who currently serves as the Executive Director of the Budget and Control Board, as the first Director of the South Carolina Department of Administration. The Department of Administration was created earlier this year when Gov. Haley signed the Government Restructuring Act of 2014 – the most comprehensive and important government restructuring in over 20 years.

“When I looked at the type of person we needed at the Department of Administration, it was somebody who could lead and it was somebody who had an understanding of the Budget and Control Board because it was so bureaucratic and there was so much that it did that could be more efficient,” said Gov. Haley. “I also wanted somebody who knows what it’s like to run an agency because if you know how to do that, then you can assist other agencies that are trying to be more efficient. When you put those things together, there was only one person that I can truly say fits all of those requirements. This really was a no-brainer and one of the easiest appointments I’ve ever made because I’m fortunate to know Mrs. Adams and what she’s capable of. I think the people of South Carolina should be incredibly proud.”

“I look forward to serving Governor Haley as the Director of the newly formed Department of Administration,” said Marcia Adams. “I believe this new structure will enhance the state’s ability to provide innovative support to agencies which, in turn, will be better able to deliver more responsive and cost effective services to the citizens of South Carolina. I am excited to be a part of the governor’s team that will set the direction of this new agency.”

Video of the governor’s announcement is available here: http://goo.gl/IdC7QK

Marcia Adams Biography:

Marcia Adams currently serves as the Executive Director of the South Carolina Budget and Control Board. Prior to being appointed Executive Director, Adams joined the South Carolina Budget and Control Board as the Chief of Staff in January of 2011.

Adams has also held various leadership, budget and finance positions throughout her 27-year career in state government, starting at the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism in 1987. She also worked for the Governor’s Office in the Office of Economic Opportunity. In 1999, she served as the Principal Administrator for the Department of Public Safety, Motor Vehicle Division. Prior to joining the South Carolina Budget and Control Board, she served as the Executive Director of the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles from 2003-2011.

Background on Government Restructuring Act of 2014:

• Creates a Department of Administration that consists of the Division of State Information Technology, Division of General Services, Office of Human Resources, Nuclear Advisory Council, Office of Executive Policy and Programs, and the new Executive Budget Office (to include portions of the current Office of State Budget).
• Replaces the Budget and Control Board with the State Fiscal Accountability Authority (SFAA), to oversee the Insurance Reserve Fund and the Procurement Services Division.
• Establishes the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office, to consist of the Board of Economic Advisors, Office of Research and Statistics, and elements of the Office of State Budget.
• Transfers the State Energy Office to the Office of Regulatory Staff.
• Majority of reorganization takes effect July 1, 2015, but the Executive Budget Office and Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office will launch on July 1, 2014.
• Requires that the SFAA begin a strategic sourcing initiative by December 31, 2015.
• Directs the SFAA to produce a report to the governor and the General Assembly by June 30, 2016, with recommendations for making additional changes to procurement-related statutes and regulations that would reduce costs and improve services.
• Obligates the Director of Administration to submit a report by December 31, 2015 that identifies the most appropriate organizational placement for each component of the Office of Executive Policy and Programs.
• Establishes a new legislative oversight process through which the House and Senate will separately review the operations of state agencies on a rotating 7-year schedule.