CHARLESTON, S.C. - Mike McShane, who served on Gov. Mark Sanford's Quality of Life Task Force before the inauguration, has been selected to lead the state board for the Natural Resources Department.

McShane, of Johns Island, said he did not campaign for job, previously held by ex-Wofford College president Joe Lesesne, but that Sanford came to him.

"I'm excited," said McShane, who calls himself an avid waterfowl and bird hunter.

McShane is the president of the board of trustees of the Lowcountry Open Land Trust and serves on the ACE Basin Task Force, which works to protect undeveloped land in a 350,000-acre coastal area south of Charleston. McShane says he also volunteers on the Ducks Unlimited national Conservation Programs Committee.

"I have watched Mike on the ACE Basin Task Force and am confident he will do a superb job running the (DNR) board and representing the sportsmen and citizens of this state," said John Frampton, who was promoted to Natural Resources director about four months ago.

Sanford's spokesman, Will Folks, says McShane is knowledgeable on quality of life issues in South Carolina.

"He's been consistently engaged in this arena ... and his perspective has been and will continue to be invaluable to the governor in taking a fresh look at DNR's mission," Folks said.

McShane is president and CEO of the Nemours Wildlife Foundation, which oversees the 9,800-acre Nemours Plantation in Beaufort County and is dedicated to the study and stewardship of natural resources, wildlife resources, education and outreach, Frampton said.

McShane says his family has place conservation easements restricting development on their property in Beaufort County and on part of the farm they live in on Johns Island.

Sanford previously appointed T. Smith Ragsdale III of Georgetown, R. Michael Campbell II of Columbia and Stephen L. Davis of Greenwood to the agency's board.

Lesesne of Spartanburg, Dr. Douglas A. Rucker of Lancaster and D. Malloy McEachin Jr. of Florence remain on the board as appointments of former Gov. Jim Hodges.

Sanford will continue to look at candidates for those remaining appointments, Folks said Friday.

"The governor believes it is important to have a team in place that shares his philosophy, his approach to government and his specific ideas on the quality of life front," Folks said.