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COLUMBIA (WACH)--The person chosen to lead the Department of Health and Environmental Control agency answers grilling questions from senators concerned about her lack of experience in the medical field.

Catherine Templeton told a Senate committee Thursday that the Department of Health and Environmental Control needs a manager, not a specialist.

"I believe that, apparently as does the board, that DHEC needs a manager," said Templeton Thursday morning, "and I've managed my whole adult life so if you know the doctor to go to that has the expertise to get the problem solved that's as important."

Templeton currently leads the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.  She's held her current position for less than a year. 

"I've got to get my arms around and understand why you would want to leave LLR, when we just confirmed you?", asked Senator Martin.

"Its not that I want to leave LLR," said Templeton, "I committed to give service when I was asked last year, my family and I have squared it away for a number of years and sort of agreed that I would be here and so when asked I'm glad to take on a bigger challenge."

Gov. Nikki Haley picked the 41-year-old lawyer for that Cabinet agency because of her legal specialty in fighting unions.

The board that oversees the Department of Health and Environmental Control chose Templeton as its new boss last month over hundreds of applicants.

Haley replaced the entire board last year to make it business friendly.

Legislators also question Templeton's refusal to relocate from Mount Pleasant.

Templeton says she does not see a need to uproot her children because she's taken a new job.

"You see that I've been available to the state of South Carolina for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," said Templeton. "I've been wherever I've needed to be, whenever I've needed to be there, that's my work ethic and that will continue."