State Treasurer Curtis Loftis Names Melissa Simmons as Deputy State Treasurer

Deputy State Treasurer Tonia Morris retires after 28 years with the State

Melissa D. Simmons, Deputy State Treasurer

South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis has named Melissa D. Simmons, CPA, CFP, as the agency’s new Deputy State Treasurer after the recent retirement of Tonia Morris. Simmons will oversee the Banking, Investment and Treasury Management divisions of the agency.

Simmons joined the State Treasurer’s Office in 2016, where she initially led the Banking Division, which provides banking services and solutions for state agencies, colleges and universities. Her role expanded in 2018, to include investment management for the state and local government portfolios, which is currently valued in excess of $41 billion.  

“Melissa is a trusted and knowledgeable financial professional, and I am grateful that we are able to elevate her to this new opportunity within our agency,” said Treasurer Loftis. “Given her strong public and private sector experience, she will continue to ensure we provide the highest quality financial services for our state agencies, local governments, and public institutions while maintaining strong relationships with our banking and investment partners.”

Simmons was a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Advisors for eight years. Her experience includes portfolio analysis, investment planning, tax planning, insurance planning and estate planning. She has also served the State of South Carolina for 27 years in various auditing, management and financial roles at the State Auditor’s Office and at the Department of Health and Human Services. She is a 1989 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

“I also want to express my gratitude for Tonia Morris and the important role she’s played at the State Treasurer’s Office for the last nine years,” Loftis added. “She brought significant public financial experience from previous accounting and auditing roles in state government and led several conversions that were critical to modernizing our operations.  I wish her all the best in her new chapter.”

About the State Treasurer’s Office
The State Treasurer’s Office provides transparent, accountable and efficient banking, investment and financial management services for South Carolina State Government. Curtis M. Loftis, Jr. has served as State Treasurer since 2011. In addition to managing the office, he serves as the Vice Chair of the State Fiscal Accountability Authority and Chairman of the State Board of Financial Institutions.

For more information on the Treasurer’s Office, visit treasurer.sc.gov.