(WPDE) — Robert H. Boyles Jr., director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, retires after 32 years of service.

His retirement will take effect in January 2025. Boyles has been Director of the SCNDR since May 2019.

“Serving as Director of the SCDNR has been the greatest honor of my professional life, and I recognize that every success I have achieved is the result of the passion, vision and commitment our staff and partners bring to the field of natural resource management every day,” said Boyles.

Boyles served as deputy director of the agency’s Division of Marine Resources from 2003 to 2019. He began his career at SCDNR in 1992 as an hourly employee.

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Boyles is president of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. He also serves as board chair of the SC Sea Grant Consortium and chair of the National Fish Habitat Partnership Board.

Boyles has served as a South Carolina representative on several national and regional marine resource management boards.

He also served as chairman and vice-chairman of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

“Director Boyles has been a consummate professional and a critical member of my Cabinet. He has provided consistent leadership throughout his tenure,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “Under his leadership, the DNR has achieved success and made significant progress in protecting our state’s wildlife and natural resources. I wish him the best of luck in his new chapter and thank him for his nearly 32 years of dedicated service to South Carolina.”