The Horry County Higher Education Commission has announced the appointment of Chris T. Leonard of Murrells Inlet to serve a four-year term as commission member.

Leonard is employed at Leonard Insurance Agency Inc. and State Farm Insurance as financial services representative and insurance agent. He earned a bachelor's degree from Francis Marion University, coaches the boys' tennis team at St. James High School and won the Big Brother of the Year Award in 1998. He is a member of Belin United Methodist Church.

The HCHEC was formed in 1959 by the South Carolina General Assembly to develop higher education opportunities for students of Horry County. Commission members are recommended by the Horry County Legislative Delegation and appointed by the Governor of South Carolina. The organization, which determines the use of the tax millage allocated to Coastal, has played a significant role in the development of the university.