Following Friday’s resignation of SLED Director Robert Stewart, Gov. Mark Sanford today named Major Mark Keel the agency’s interim chief while he considers a permanent replacement.

Stewart says he’s leaving to create a consulting business with SLED Intergovernmental Affairs Executive Assistant Cindy Konduros. He says it’s been a great honor to serve as chief.

Stewart was appointed to the post by the late Governor Carroll Campbell on December 22, 1987. He replaced J.P. Strom, who died suddenly while in office. [WLTX]