Burns

Nathan’s News readers met James earlier this year . Actually, most of you in the community know James already or have seen him on the ball fields at Chapin, helping the booster club, or being involved in other areas around town.

This week he was named as Chief of Staff at the beginning of Governor’s Haley second term. I know James well and I know he will serve that office and our state exceptionally well.

From www.governor.sc.gov

Gov. Nikki Haley Announces New Chief Of Staff

COLUMBIA, S.C.- November 13, 2014 – Governor Nikki Haley today announced James H. Burns, a partner with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, as her new chief of staff. Gov. Haley’s current chief of staff, Ted Pitts, will be stepping down from his role and joining the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

“From the moment we stepped into office, I have been incredibly blessed to have Ted Pitts as a member of my staff and for the past fourteen months serving as chief of staff,” said Gov. Haley. “His character, ability, and sense of duty made him indispensable – and he is not only a trusted adviser but someone who I also consider a dear friend. Whether in the National Guard, as a member of the General Assembly, or in the governor’s office, I know how much time and dedication he has given to South Carolina, and I want to personally thank him for his contributions to our state and wish him all the best going forward.”

Prior to being partner at Nelson Mullins, Burns was deputy assistant for legal and legislative matters for the Office of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon, and served in the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) from 2002-2008. Burns is a 1996 graduate of The Citadel and a 2002 graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is the former chairman of the South Carolina State Ethics Commission and worked as pro bono counsel to the South Carolina Ethics Reform Commission.

“As a widely respected member of both the legal and professional community, James Burns will be a great addition to Team Haley, and I am excited to start working with him and continue building on the progress we have made.” said Gov. Haley. “His integrity and outstanding reputation as a leader, combined with his understanding of both our policy and legislative goals, is exactly what we need to start this second term the same way we ended the first – fighting to make South Carolina a better place to live. The last four years have been great ones for our state, but we still have a lot to accomplish and I know that James is the best person to help us get the job done.”

“What Governor Haley and her team have accomplished over the past four years is remarkable, and I could not be more honored to be named her next chief of staff and to follow in Ted’s footsteps,” said James Burns. “Under the governor’s leadership and vision, our state has reached new heights. I look forward to doing my part to not only continue this record of success, but to build on it.”

The transition will take place over the next few weeks.

Burns, 40, currently resides in Richland County and is married with three children.