Commissioner David A. Wright

Photo by: Vicki Lovett

David A. Wright

Columbia, S.C.

Second District: All of Allendale, Barnwell, Hampton, Jasper and Lexington, as well as parts of Aiken, Beaufort, Calhoun, Colleton, Orangeburg and Richland

Email: Commissioner.Wright@psc.sc.gov
Administrative Coordinator: Melissa Purvis, 803-896-5180

Assumed Commissionership March 3, 2004
Current term ends June 30, 2010
Spouse: Amy

Education:

• Clemson University - 1977
   - B.A. in Political Science, Minor in Communications
   - Three-year letterman on Clemson Tiger Cross-Country Team
• Irmo High School - 1973  

Professional Work History:

David Wright was elected to the South Carolina Public Service Commission from the Second Congressional District in a special session of the S.C. General Assembly on March 3, 2004. He serves as one of seven elected commissioners of the S.C. PSC.

Since his election, David has accepted active roles in many phases of commission activities locally, regionally and nationally. 

David currently serves as Chairman of the Nuclear Issues-Waste Management Subcommittee. He is also a member of the Washington Action Committee and the Energy and the Environment Committee from S.C. on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).

In early 2005, David became a National Co-Chairman of the Yucca Mountain Task Force, a national group of commissioners, businesses, and independent organizations dedicated to the opening of the Yucca Mountain deep-geologic nuclear waste repository in Nevada through educational activities.

In December 2006, David assumed the role of National Chairman of the Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition (NWSC), an organization he has served on as a representative and board member from South Carolina since his election to the S.C. PSC.

David also serves as First Vice-Chairman of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (SEARUC).

Prior to his election to the S.C. PSC, David had been self-employed for more than 25 years, having owned and/or operated several retail, commercial and professional services businesses. He has an extensive background in retail, commercial and political advertising and public relations, and has worked as a strategic consultant in all areas. David also has a strong background in planning and staging events as well. Adding to his broad and varied background, David has his real estate license and is a licensed auctioneer in South Carolina.

His education in political science and communications has served David well during his professional career. Not only has he served as a publicly elected official for nearly 15 years, but he has also worked in various capacities over the last 30 years helping many others politically as well.

Following the death of S.C. Congressman Floyd Spence in 2001, whose campaigns he worked on or consulted each year since 1978, David worked as the media consultant for the successful special congressional election campaign of State Senator Joe Wilson in the race to succeed the late congressman.

In 1999 and 2000, David worked as a member of the national advance team for the presidential campaign of Arizona Senator John McCain in the state’s of South Carolina, Washington and California. 

David has literally helped hundreds of candidates and campaigns running for statewide, congressional, state house, county and local office over the years. He is the former co-owner of Dutch Fork Publishing Company (1993-95) and was owner of the Columbia, S.C. Hickory Farms of Ohio franchise (1981-93).

David served as the Director of Communications for the South Carolina Republican Party (1979-81) where he was responsible for national media coordination during the first-ever Presidential Primary in South Carolina in 1980. He was also the state GOP's Legislative Liaison to the Republican Caucuses of the South Carolina House and Senate.

David began his work career in 1977 after graduating from college by working as an account executive with Wingate Advertising in Columbia, S.C.

Elected History:

• Present from March 3, 2004 - Commissioner, Public Service Commission of SC. Elected to represent the Second Congressional District on the Public Service Commission of SC, in a special Joint Assembly on March 3, 2004.  
  - Chairman, NARUC’s Nuclear Issues-Waste Management Subcommittee
  - National Co-Chairman, Yucca Mountain Task Force, 2005-present
  - National Chairman, Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition (NWSC), elected December 2006
  - First Vice-Chairman, SEARUC (Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
  - appointed to serve S.C. on Washington Action Committee, Nuclear Issues Subcommittee, and Energy and Environment Committee in NARUC (National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners)

• November, 1996 from November, 1988 - Member, SC House of Representatives from District #85 in Lexington County:
  - Member & 1st Vice-Chairman, Education and Public Works Committee.
  - Chairman, Colleges and Universities Subcommittee
  - Chairman, K-12 Subcommittee
  - Member, EIA Select Committee
  - Governor's Appointee to the Southern Regional Education Board
  - House Appointee to Education and Job Training Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures
  
  
• October, 1988 from September, 1985 - Mayor, Town of Irmo, SC
  - 1987, President of Lexington County Municipal Association
  - 1985-86, Vice-President of Lexington County Municipal Association
  - 1985-88, Member, Central Midlands Regional Planning Council
  
  
• September, 1985 from September, 1983 - Councilman, Town of Irmo, SC

Awards & Honors:

• Received South Carolina highest citizen honor, “The Order of the Palmetto”, in 1996 from Governor David Beasley.
• 1987 recipient of the Jaycees "Outstanding Young American" Award in the field of Community Service for the state of South Carolina.
• Awarded 1992 "Legislator of the Year Award" from the S.C. Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind for work on Braille literacy legislation.
• 1991 "ARC Award" from the Association of Retarded Citizens for work on legislation and initiatives promoting early intervention and mainstreaming programs for retarded children.
• 1993 "Legislator of the Year" recipient from the S.C. School Boards Association. 
• Awarded 1994 "Legislator of the Year" from the Irmo Fire District.
• Received the 1995 "Legislator of the Year" Award from the S.C. Vocational Directors. SC

Personal, Civic, Volunteer Interests & Hobbies:

• Born in Charlotte, North Carolina
• Married to former Amy Elizabeth Floyd of Lake City, SC
• Four children and one grandchild
• Member, Riverland Hills Baptist Church
• Member, Gideon’s International
• Past President, St. Andrews Rotary Club 2006-2007; Secretary and President-Elect 2005-2006
• Rotary Assistant Governor District 7770 (2008-2009)
• Member, Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission Athletic Advisory Committee
• Commissioner of Referees and Officials for UPWARD Basketball Program, Riverland Hills Baptist Church
• Certified Dixie Youth Baseball Umpire working through Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission for 35 years. Also coached T-ball and baseball teams.
• Avid golfer, and enjoys running, basketball, softball. 
• Member, Clemson University Tiger Letterwinners Association.
• Selected as part of the United Methodist Volunteers In Missions Team (UNVIM) from the Midlands of South Carolina to Utilla, Honduras in 1988.
• 1989-91/Volunteer, S.C. Salkehatchie Summer Service Program working as an adult leader rebuilding houses with youth.
• Former President & Vice-President, Lexington-Richland School District Five Education Foundation