South Carolina Senate Confirms Michael Wise as Insurance Director

The South Carolina Senate has confirmed the appointment of Michael Wise as director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance (DOI).

Mr. Wise has been with the South Carolina DOI since 2009 and served as the agency's acting director since the April 2022 retirement of former director Ray Farmer. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster nominated Mr. Wise to be the permanent director in April.

"The Department of Insurance has done exceptional work during the short time that Mr. Wise has served as acting director," the governor said in a statement. "From hurricanes to combating insurance fraud, he has repeatedly proven himself to be the right person for the job. I have full confidence that he will continue this impressive track record and build upon the agency's mission to protect insurance consumers, the public interest, and the insurance marketplace."

Mr. Wise holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics–economics from Furman University, is an Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society, a member of the American Academy of Actuaries, and a recent graduate of the South Carolina Executive Institute. He is also a recent recipient of the American Academy of Actuaries' Rising Actuary Award.

"As a native South Carolinian, I could not be more excited about this opportunity to serve the people of our state in this capacity," Mr. Wise said in a statement at the time of his nomination. "At the department, our core mission is to protect consumers, and we plan to continue to do so by educating and maintaining effective communication with all of our partners so we can further promote a competitive and well-functioning insurance environment in the state."