David A. Wright

David Austin Wright
Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Assumed office
May 30, 2018
PresidentDonald Trump
Joe Biden
Preceded byJeff Baran
Personal details
BornIrmo, South Carolina
Political partyRepublican[1]
EducationClemson University
AwardsOrder of the Palmetto

David Austin Wright is an American businessman, politician, and energy policy advisor, and member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the remainder of a five-year term expiring on June 30, 2025 after being nominated by President Donald Trump in May 2017 and again in January 2020 and confirmed by the United States Senate.[2][3][4][5]

Education

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Wright was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He graduated from Irmo High School in 1973. In 1977, he graduated from Clemson University, where he received a B.A. in political science and communications and was a member of the cross country team.[6]

Career

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Wright served on the Irmo Town Council from 1983 to 1985 and was mayor of Irmo from 1985 to 1988. From 1988 to 1996, he served in the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 85. Wright was elected to the South Carolina Public Service Commission in March 2004, serving until June 2013.[7] He chaired the commission beginning in July 2012. In 2011, he was elected president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. Wright is also the former president of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, the former chairman of the Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition, and a former member of the advisory board of the Electric Power Research Institute.[6]

Wright is the owner of Wright Directions LLC, a strategic consulting and communications business. He has owned and operated a number of retail, commercial, and professional services businesses. Wright also has a real estate license and is a licensed auctioneer in South Carolina.[6]

Personal life

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Wright is a colon cancer survivor. He has four children. In 1996, he received South Carolina's highest citizen honor, the Order of the Palmetto.[6] In 2017, the Charlotte Business Journal named Wright its Lifetime Achievement winner in its annual Energy Leadership awards.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Trump to nominate three to nuclear commission". 22 May 2017.
  2. ^ "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration Posts". The White House. May 22, 2017. Archived from the original on May 23, 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  3. ^ Siciliano, John (May 22, 2017). "Trump names nominees to nuclear watchdog amid shutdown fears". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  4. ^ Cama, Timothy (May 22, 2017). "Trump to nominate three to nuclear commission". The Hill. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  5. ^ a b Downey, John (May 23, 2017). "S.C. energy consultant and CBJ award winner tapped for Nuclear Regulatory Commission". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d "David A. Wright". South Carolina Public Service Commission. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  7. ^ Flach, Tim (May 30, 2013). "SC Public Service Commission member David Wright to retire". The State. Retrieved 8 June 2017.