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<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
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<p>Rick Toomey has been appointed to the Area Commission for the Technical College of the Lowcountry by S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster. He will represent Beaufort County.</p>
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<p>Toomey earned his undergraduate degree in management science and master’s degree in hospital administration from Duke University. He also holds a Doctor of Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina. He has more than 32 years of public health administration and executive management experience, most recently as director of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and as President and CEO of Beaufort Memorial Hospital.</p>
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<p>Toomey and his wife, Dr. Linda Hawes, make their home on Lady’s Island.</p>
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<p>“Rick’s extensive background in public health administration and connections to Beaufort County make him the perfect advocate for the College,” TCL President Dr. Richard Gough said in a release. "Given the ongoing demand for qualified workforce in the dynamic healthcare sector, it’s more important than ever that we have such knowledgeable leadership.”</p>
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<p>The TCL Area Commission sets policy and oversees regulatory compliance. Members are appointed by the governor upon recommendation of the local legislative delegation, and represent TCL’s four-county service area: Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties.</p>
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<p>Other members include James Boozer, Randy Dolyniuk and Heath Duncan representing Beaufort County; David M. Smalls representing Colleton County; Dr. William Small Jr. representing Hampton County; and Sheree Darien representing Jasper County.</p>
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<p>The Technical College of the Lowcountry, a public, two-year, multi-campus community college serving approximately 5,000 students annually, is the region’s primary provider of higher education and workforce training.</p>
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<p><em>For more information about the commission or its members, visit www.tcl.edu/about-tcl/tcl-commission.</em></p>
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