David A. Wright
{{short description|American politician}}
{{other people|David Wright}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = David Austin Wright
| image = Official Photo of Commissioner David A. Wright 2023.jpg
| caption = Official portrait, 2023
| office1 = Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
| president1 = Donald Trump
Joe Biden
Donald Trump
| term_start1 = May 30, 2018
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = Jeff Baran
| successor1 =
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Irmo, South Carolina
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = Republican{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/334663-trump-to-nominate-three-to-nuclear-commission/|title = Trump to nominate three to nuclear commission|date = 22 May 2017}}
| spouse =
| children =
| education = Clemson University (BA)
| awards = Order of the Palmetto
| office = 18th Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
| term_start = January 20, 2025
| president = Donald Trump
| predecessor = Christopher T. Hanson
}}
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.{{cite news|title=President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration Posts |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/05/22/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-personnel-key |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523181419/https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/05/22/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-personnel-key |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 23, 2017 |access-date=7 June 2017|publisher=The White House|date=May 22, 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Siciliano|first1=John|title=Trump names nominees to nuclear watchdog amid shutdown fears|url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-names-nominees-to-nuclear-watchdog-amid-shutdown-fears/article/2623864|access-date=7 June 2017|publisher=Washington Examiner|date=May 22, 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Cama|first1=Timothy|title=Trump to nominate three to nuclear commission|url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/334663-trump-to-nominate-three-to-nuclear-commission/|access-date=7 June 2017|work=The Hill|date=May 22, 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Downey|first1=John|title=S.C. energy consultant and CBJ award winner tapped for Nuclear Regulatory Commission|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2017/05/23/s-c-energy-consultant-and-cbj-award-winner-tapped.html |access-date=8 June 2017|publisher=Charlotte Business Journal|date=May 23, 2017}} On January 20, 2025, President Trump designated him as the NRC's Chairman.
Education
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.{{cite web|title=David A. Wright|url=http://www.psc.sc.gov/commissioners/Pages/pastdist2.aspx|publisher=South Carolina Public Service Commission|access-date=8 June 2017|archive-date=30 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030231841/http://www.psc.sc.gov/commissioners/Pages/pastdist2.aspx|url-status=dead}}
Career
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.{{cite news|last1=Flach|first1=Tim|title=SC Public Service Commission member David Wright to retire|url=http://www.thestate.com/news/business/article14432963.html|access-date=8 June 2017|publisher=The State|date=May 30, 2013}} 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.
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.
Personal life
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. In 2017, the Charlotte Business Journal named Wright its Lifetime Achievement winner in its annual Energy Leadership awards.
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wright, David Austin}}
Category:People from Irmo, South Carolina
Category:Clemson University alumni
Category:Members of the South Carolina House of Representatives
Category:First Trump administration personnel
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials
Category:Biden administration personnel
Category:20th-century members of the South Carolina General Assembly