A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE Rob Tester UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HIm FOR HIS forty YEARS OF DEDICATED public SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Rob Tester upon the occasion of his retirement from the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA) on June 2, 2026; and

 

Whereas, a native of Jonesborough, Tennessee, Mr. Tester is an alumnus of Furman University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and Princeton University, where he received his master's degree in public affairs; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Tester began his career in public service as a projects coordinator for the General Assembly in 1982. In 1986, he became a project manager for the Budget and Control Board and would later serve as a budget analyst before becoming the board's director of research and administration in 1989; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Tester became state employee health plan director in 1992 and served in this role for eighteen years. After five years as a consultant, he became the insurance policy director at PEBA in 2015. Mr. Tester served in this role for eleven years for a combined total of forty years of public service; and

 

Whereas, during his tenure with PEBA, Mr. Tester served as the chief officer in charge of South Carolina's employee insurance benefits programs. He oversaw the development of funding requirements for the self-funded plans and pricing for the State Health Plan provider networks, and he ensured the health plan offered a comprehensive, competitive package of benefits, among other pivotal duties and responsibilities; and

 

Whereas, a civic leader, Mr. Tester has served with several boards and committees, including as chair of the board of directors of the State and Local Government Benefits Association; chair of the board of directors of the State Retirees Association of South Carolina; and chair of the board of directors of the Consumers' Choice Health Insurance Company; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Tester is married to his wife, Diana, and together, they have two children; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the passion and dedication that Mr. Tester has shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Rob Tester upon the occasion of his retirement, commend him for his forty years of dedicated public service, and wish him much happiness and fulfillment in the years ahead.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Rob Tester.

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