COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The man who has spoken for South Carolina's top prosecutor for nearly a decade is taking on a new role.

Department of Health and Environmental Control director Catherine Templeton says Mark Plowden is joining that agency to serve as its communications director.

Since 2003, Plowden has been a spokesman and chief executive assistant for two different state attorneys general. Prior to that, he was a consultant with Richard Quinn and Associates and also served as a spokesman for the South Carolina Republican Party.

Plowden starts in his new job July 16.

Templeton says his experience and good rapport with the state's news media will benefit the more than 3,600-employees at DHEC.

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