Raleigh, N.C. – Today, North Carolina Governor-Elect Pat McCrory announced that he will appoint Lyons Gray as Secretary of the Department of Revenue, Susan Kluttz as Secretary of the Department of Cultural Resources and Kieran Shanahan as Secretary of the Department of Public Safety. Additionally, the Governor-Elect also announced Bob Stephens will serve as Chief Legal Counsel, Art Pope will serve as Deputy Budget Director and Chris Walker will serve as his Communications Director in the Office of the Governor.

“During this transition process, I am continuing to build a strong team of talent,” said Governor-Elect McCrory. “These individuals will bring enormous talent and experience to their respective roles, and will help me run the government in the most effective way possible.”

Last week, Governor-Elect McCrory outlined broad objectives for his cabinet and leadership team, including: (1) instituting a culture of customer service to state government, (2) identifying and implementing efficiencies in state government, (3) collaborating and sharing resources across departments and agencies and (4) instituting the highest ethical standards while serving in government.

Lyons Gray will join the Cabinet after serving as the Senior Advisor to the President of the University of North Carolina system from 2011-2012. Previously, he served for four years (2005-2009) as the Chief Financial Officer of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, where he served as the principal agency representative to Congress, the Office of Management and Budget and to the various states. From 1989 to 2002, Gray served in the North Carolina General Assembly as Chairman of the House Finance Committee from 1995 to 1999 and Vice Chairman of the House Ethics Committee. Gray attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Susan Kluttz most recently served 14 years as mayor of Salisbury and currently serves on the Salisbury City Council. There, Kluttz helped develop the City’s Cultural Arts Plan, and created a tourism master plan for Salisbury, including reorganization of local arts council. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she also serves on the Board of Visitors. Kluttz is also a founding member of the North Carolina Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, where she served as vice-chairman from 2009 to 2011, and has also served on board of the North Carolina League of Municipalities, on the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism and on the committee to develop a model Ethics Code for Elected Officials at the UNC School of Government.

Kieran Shanahan will enter the McCrory administration with over five years of experience as an Assistant United States Attorney, serving in both the Eastern District of North Carolina and the Northern District of Georgia. There, he concentrated in the investigation and prosecution of white collar crime. In 1989, Shanahan received the Directors Award from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and was recognized as one of the most outstanding federal prosecutors in the country. He currently serves on the Eastern Carolina University Board of Trustees and is a Principal in Shanahan Law Group. Shanahan graduated from East Carolina University in 1979 (BSBA cum laude) and from the UNC School of Law in 1982.

In addition to three Cabinet appointments, McCrory also announced key members of the governor’s office staff and leadership team.

Bob Stephens joins the McCrory Administration from his law firm, Hamilton Stephens Steele & Martin. Stephens is a life long resident of Charlotte and has spent his entire professional career in Charlotte after serving as a first lieutenant in the United States Army, Judge Advocate General Corp., 1970 – 1972. Stephens has been listed with Best Lawyers in America and was named the Best Construction Law Lawyer in the Charlotte Metro region for 2012.

Art Pope currently serves as Co-Chair of the Governor-Elect’s transition team and is also CEO and Chairman of Variety Wholesalers, Inc. In 1988, Pope was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives, serving on both the Finance and Appropriations committees. Pope was also one the primary sponsors of legislation to create the state’s “Rainy Day Fund,” which was enacted into law in 1991.

Chris Walker, former Southeastern Communications Advisor for the Romney for President campaign and former Press Secretary to U.S. Senator Richard Burr, will lead the McCrory Administration’s communications team. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee.

Below are complete bios on each of today’s announced appointments.

Further announcements regarding additional appointments in the McCrory Administration will continue to be made in the weeks ahead leading up to the January 5th swearing-in ceremony.
Lyons Gray

Lyons Gray most recently served as Senior Advisor to the President of the University of North Carolina system, where he provided guidance and assistance on state and federal issues impacting University priorities, as well as University-wide efforts to implement efficiency measures and best practices that reduce overall operating costs.

After attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gray spent more than a decade working for the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company before founding and growing several small businesses.  Appointed to the NC House of Representatives in 1989 to represent Forsyth County, he was subsequently elected to the position for six consecutive terms.  During his 14-year tenure in the General Assembly, he chaired the House Finance Committee, served on the Ethics Committee, introduced key legislation supporting economic growth and quality of life improvements across the state, and helped advance the $3.2-billion Higher Education Bond Referendum of 2000.

After leaving public office, Gray served as president of the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership before being nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as chief financial officer of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He served in that capacity, managing a budget in excess of $7 billion, from 2005 to 2009.

Currently vice chairman of the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Gray has previously served on the boards of UNC-Chapel Hill’s General Alumni Association, Salem Academy and College, the UNC School of the Arts Foundation, and the Piedmont Triad Partnership. He also has served on the Boards of Visitors of the Winston-Salem State University Foundation and the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University and has held leadership roles in multiple civic and philanthropic organizations, including AIDS Care Service of Winston-Salem, the North Carolina Nature Conservancy, Leadership Winston-Salem, the American Red Cross, and the Salvation Army Boys Club.

Gray attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lives in Winston-Salem with his wife, Connie.
Susan Kluttz

Susan Kluttz most recently served 14 years as the mayor of Salisbury and presently serves on the Salisbury City Council. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she serves on the Board of Visitors. She is a founding member of the North Carolina Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, where she served as vice-chairman. She has also served on board of the North Carolina League of Municipalities, a member of the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism, and on the committee to develop a model Ethics Code for Elected Officials at the UNC School of Government. In Salisbury, she currently serves on the board of F&M Bank, the Salisbury Community Development Corporation, and Salisbury- Rowan Project Safe Salisbury. She is a trustee of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and on the boards of the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs and the North Carolina Community and Business Alliance.

Mrs. Kluttz is married to District Court Judge William C. Kluttz, Jr. Their family includes son Lieutenant Commander William C. Kluttz III and his wife MacLean Clinard Kluttz of Newport, RI; daughter Susan Kluttz Smith and her husband William H. Smith of Burlington; and a grandson William C. Kluttz IV.
Kieran Shannahan

Kieran Shanahan, is a former federal prosecutor and an experienced litigator with extensive trial court experience in federal and state courts around the country. He is also a Certified Mediator with substantial Alternative Dispute Resolution experience.  As a Principal in Shanahan Law Group, Shanahan handles a wide variety of cases, including banking matters, business disputes, employment and construction matters, as well as class action, administrative, and federal white collar defense matters.  He also handles corporate compliance, professional licensing, and internal investigations for professionals and corporations under regulatory scrutiny. His non-litigation experience is substantial and includes general business, corporate and banking advice to small and medium size companies.

Shanahan is a 1979 graduate of East Carolina University (BSBA cum laude) and UNC School of Law (1982).  During law school, Shanahan served as an Editor on the North Carolina Journal of International Law and Commercial Regulations and was a member of the prestigious Holderness Moot Court Bench.  Shanahan spent over five years as an Assistant United States Attorney, serving in both the Eastern District of North Carolina and the Northern District of Georgia, where he concentrated in the investigation and prosecution of white collar crime. In 1989, Shanahan received the Directors Award from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and was recognized as one of the most outstanding federal prosecutors in the country.  Shanahan has been chosen as one of the “Top 100 Lawyers” in America by the National Trial Lawyers, is a peer selected “Best Lawyers in America” honoree, has the highest possible rating (AV) from Martindale-Hubbell, has been recognized as a North Carolina Super Lawyer, was elected to Business North Carolina Magazine’s “Legal Elite”, and has been chosen “A Leader in the Law” in North Carolina.  Shanahan is also a founding member of CompassNC, LLC, a public affairs and public policy group based in Raleigh, N.C.

Shanahan serves on the East Carolina University Board of Trustees and is a member of the Centennial Authority that oversees the PNC Center in Raleigh.  He also serves as Chairman of the N.C. Property Rights Coalition.  Shanahan is a past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina and served on the Board of Trustees of Bennett College for Women.  Shanahan served four elected terms on the Raleigh City Council and is a past Finance Chair for the North Carolina GOP.

Shanahan is married to Christina (Tina) Alvarado Shanahan, a Captain in the US Navy (RC) and a Multiple World and National Champion equestrian.  They have three children: Kate, Jimmy, and Patrick.
Bob Stephens

Bob Stephens practices primarily in the area of construction law including negotiating and drafting construction agreements and resolving and litigating construction claims. He has handled claims ranging in value from $50,000.00 to $50,000,000.00 involving industrial, commercial and residential buildings, pharmaceutical plants, water and wastewater treatment plants, tunnel construction and light rail projects.  He also practices in the area of commercial litigation including real estate and general business litigation.  Mr. Stephens has over forty years of experience as civil trial attorney.  He has also been a certified arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association for in excess of forty years.

Mr. Stephens is admitted to practice in all Courts of the State of North Carolina, the United States District Courts for the Western, Middle and Eastern Districts of North Carolina, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Stephens was selected by Business North Carolina magazine as a Legal Elite construction lawyers in the state of North Carolina and as a Super Lawyer by Law and Politics and the publishers of Charlotte Magazine.  Mr. Stephens has been listed with Best Lawyers in America.  He was named as the Best Construction Law Lawyer in the Charlotte Metro region for 2012.  This designation is given to only one lawyer in the Charlotte region each year.

Mr. Stephens is a life long resident of Charlotte and has spent his entire professional career in Charlotte after serving as a first lieutenant in the United States Army, Judge Advocate General Corp., 1970 – 1972.

Mr. Stephens is a past President of the Mecklenburg County Bar.  He is also past President of the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation.

Art Pope

Art Pope has long record of public service to our state. Pope served in 1985 as Special Counsel for Governor Jim Martin and was later appointed the State Goals and Policy Board, which that year was given the task of evaluating how the state should meet its competing capital needs, including public school facilities, prisons and road construction.

In 1988, Pope was elected to the North Carolina House and was elected by his Republican colleagues in 1991 to be their Caucus Leader. In 1992, Pope won the Republican nomination for Lt. Governor, but ultimately lost the General Election. Pope came back to serve the state in the Legislature again, from 1999 to 2002.

As a Legislator, Pope served on both the Finance and Appropriations committees, where he was known has a principled, thoughtful, hardworking Legislator. Art Pope was one the primary sponsors of legislation to create the state’s “Rainy Day Fund,” which was enacted into law in 1991.

He is currently serving as a Co-Chair of Governor-Elect McCrory’s transition, and also serves as CEO and board chairman of Variety Wholesalers, Inc in addition to his role as president and chairman of the John William Pope Foundation.

Chris Walker

Chris Walker has experience at senior levels in political, governmental and corporate communications.  Most recently, Walker served as a Southeastern Communications Advisor for the Romney for President campaign.  In this role, he served as a spokesperson and strategist for the Romney campaign for a 12-state region in the Southeast, including North Carolina.  During the general election, he also served as a statewide advisor for communications in Colorado.

Before he joined the Romney campaign, he was the founder and principal of Walker Public Affairs, a communications consulting firm.  He worked with corporate clients, various political campaigns and served as a consultant to the Tennessee Republican Party.  Prior to this, Walker served as Communications Director for Tennessee SCORE, a non-partisan K-12 education initiative founded by former U.S. Senator Bill Frist in an effort to make education a top priority and accelerate state and local education reform efforts across Tennessee.

From 2007 – 2009, Walker served as Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Richard Burr in his Washington D.C. office. He is also a veteran of the George W. Bush administration, serving as a Public Affairs officer at the Department of the Treasury and a Defense Fellow in the White House Liaison Office at the Department of Defense.

Together with his wife Emily, they have one daughter, Morgan.

Raleigh, N.C. – Today, North Carolina Governor-Elect Pat McCrory announced that he will appoint Thomas Stith to serve as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Governor, Ambassador Aldona Wos, M.D. to serve as the Secretary of Health and Human Services and John Skvarla to serve as the Secretary of Environmental and Natural Resources.

In announcing these appointments, McCrory outlined several broad directives for his cabinet going forward, including: (1) instituting a culture of customer service to state government, (2) identifying and implementing efficiencies in state government, (3) collaborating and sharing resources across departments and agencies and (4) instituting the highest ethical standards while serving in government.

“As I have said throughout this transition process, first and foremost I am looking for talented individuals to join our team who can run the government in the most effective way possible. Thomas, Aldona and John certainly meet those qualifications, and I am excited they have agreed to be part of our team,” said McCrory.

McCrory added, “My top priority as governor is to ensure we have the framework in place that will unleash our state’s incredible resources to create jobs, grow our economy and ensure that North Carolina exceeds its potential. We are building a strong team that will help ensure those goals are met.”

Thomas Stith is currently on leave as Program Director for Economic Development for the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at UNC-Chapel Hill, serving as Executive Director for Governor-Elect Pat McCrory’s Transition Team. Stith’s past positions include co-founder and President of the Michael Thomas Group and Vice President of the John W. Pope Civitas Institute. His public service includes three consecutive terms on the Durham City Council. Stith earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees (with honors) from North Carolina Central University.

Ambassador Aldona Wos, M.D. is currently serving on the UNC Board of Governors and as an Honorary Chair of Governor-Elect Pat McCrory’s Transition Team. She earned her medical degree from Warsaw Medical Academy and has served as a practicing physician in private practice, corporate medicine and has served in a teaching and consulting for both hospitals and private industry. A native of Warsaw, Poland, Ambassador Wos served as United States Ambassador to Estonia from 2004 to 2006.

John Skvarla currently serves as CEO of Restoration Systems, a premiere environmental and ecological restoration company based in Raleigh. Skvarla has extensive experience in growing business, having served as CEO and COO of several companies including The Aviation Group, Inc. and Pro Active Therapy, Inc. Skvarla holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Manhattan College in New York and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Below are complete bios on each of today’s announced appointments.

Further announcements regarding additional appointments in the McCrory Administration will continue to be made in the weeks ahead leading up to the January 5th swearing-in ceremony.

Thomas A. Stith, III

Thomas A. Stith, III currently serves as Transition Director for Governor-Elect Pat McCrory. In this role, he oversees a staff of over 20 tasked with identifying and populating the incoming administration with talented individuals with a myriad of skillsets needed for over 300 positions. In this role, he is also helping guide and develop the policy blueprint for the incoming governor as he begins his administration.

Stith has also served most recently as program director for economic development for the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise. He led the Institute’s economic development efforts, emphasizing on the unique challenges facing North Carolina’s eastern region. His focus is on policy development for the eastern region as its agricultural-based economy integrates with new technologies like renewable energy, defense contracting, aerospace, destination development, and the proliferation of high-growth companies within the region.

Stith’s career has included experience in policy-level public positions and Fortune 250 private-sector organizations along with several entrepreneurial ventures. He served on the Durham (N.C.) City Council for three consecutive terms.

Stith earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees (with honors) from North Carolina Central University.

Dr. Aldona Z. Wos

Dr. Aldona Zofia Wos was born in Warsaw, Poland. She earned her medical degree at the Warsaw Medical Academy, and completed her internship and residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in Pulmonary Medicine in New York. Her experiences include time as a physician in private practice, corporate medicine, attending physician duties, clinical care, teaching and consulting for both hospitals and private industry.

She is licensed to practice medicine in both New York and North Carolina and she practiced medicine in New York for a number of years. She has been a member of the American Medical Association, and American College of Physicians, the Greater Greensboro Society of Medicine and the North Carolina Medical Society.

In May 2009, Greensboro College presented Ambassador Wos with an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities.

She was nominated by President George W. Bush in 2004 to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Estonia. She concluded her tour as Ambassador on December 17, 2006. During her tenure as Ambassador, Wos focused on winning the hearts and minds of the next generation of Estonian leaders, Russian integration, HIV/AIDS prevention in Estonia, and the preservation of Estonian culture.

Ambassador Wos is the daughter of Paul Zenon Wos, who is a survivor of Flossenburg Concentration Camp, former member of the Polish Home Army (AK) and recipient of ýRighteous Among the Nationsý medal from Yad Vashem, among other distinguished awards. As a child of a survivor, Ambassador Wos is passionate about presenting and preserving full and accurate information about the Polish experience during World War II. In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed Ambassador Wos to serve on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council and was re-appointed in 2004.

Ambassador Wos has served on numerous boards of philanthropic and community organizations including the United Way of Greater Greensboro, Family Services of the Piedmont, Hospice Palliative Care of Greensboro, and the National Conference of Community of Justice, Triad Stage Theatre and the Sterling South Bank & Trust Company.

In June 2006, the Institute of World Politics in Washington, D.C. presented Ambassador Wos with an honorary Doctorate of Laws.

She is currently serving on the UNC Board of Governors and as an Honorary Chair of Governor-Elect Pat McCrory’s Transition Team.

Ambassador Wos and her husband, Louis DeJoy, have a set of twins.

John Skvarla

John Skvarla currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Restoration Systems, a premiere environmental and ecological restoration company based in Raleigh. As CEO, Skvarla guides the company in its work of restoring and protecting land and water.

Prior to joining Restoration Systems, he has served as Managing Director of an investment banking office in Raleigh and turned around a waste products manufacturing company with primary offices in Los Angeles, New York, Miami and Chicago.

His professional career began with the practice of law in 1973, where he served as an associate, and subsequently partner, of a boutique business and tax firm. In 1978, Skvarla founded and served as Senior Partner to the Raleigh, NC-based law firm of Skvarla, Wyrick and Robbins, specializing in corporate and tax matters, as well as public and private capital formations. The organization currently operates as Wyrick, Robbins, Yates and Ponton with 75 attorneys and specializes in growth business law.

From 1984 through 1986, Skvarla held the position of Chief Operating Officer of The Aviation Group, Inc. During his tenure, the company emerged as the world’s largest all-cargo airline, providing start-up and flight operation services to UPS, Emery, Purlator Courier and Burlington Northern in the overnight package industry. His responsibilities with The Aviation Group encompassed management of all operations, including 1,200 employees and 400 unionized pilots, and direct involvement in all public and private financing negotiations.

From 1987 to 1998 Skvarla held the position of Chief Executive Officer and Director for Pro Active Therapy, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. His accomplishments with the company include the acquisition and operation of over 75 physical therapy centers utilizing 450 employees in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Skvarla held responsibility for all aspects of the company, including debt and equity financing transactions until its sale to NovaCare in July of 1998.

Skvarla holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Manhattan College in New York and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law. His accomplishments also include appointments to the Board of Directors for the UNC School of Law Foundation, School of Nursing Foundation and the Law Entrepreneurial Council. He has also served as the President of the Board of Visitors at Peace College in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Transition Team Leadership

Serving as Honorary Chairmen and Key Senior Advisors to the Transition:

• Governor Jim Holshouser: North Carolina’s 68th governor, serving from 1973 to 1977, and the first Republican governor elected in the twentieth century. Governor Holshouser has served on the University of North Carolina Board of Governors since 1979.
• Governor Jim Martin: Served as governor from 1985 to 1993. Prior to, Governor Martin represented North Carolina for over a decade in the U.S. House of Representatives.
• Lt. Governor Jim Gardner: Elected in 1989 as North Carolina’s 30th Lieutenant Governor and the first elected Republican Lieutenant Governor since 1901. Lieutenant Governor Gardner also served from 1967 to 1969 in the U.S. House, where he chaired the House Committee on Agriculture.
• Congressman Charles Taylor: Represented North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District from 1991 to 2007. Congressman Taylor also served in the N.C. General Assembly representing Transylvania County from 1967 to 1975.
• Ambassador Aldona Wos: Served as United States Ambassador to Estonia from 2004 to 2006. A native of Warsaw, Poland, Ambassador Wos earned a medical degree from Warsaw Medical Academy.
• Robert J. Brown: Chairman and CEO of B&C Associates, Inc. Recognized with numerous awards for his contributions to the private sector and service to the community, Robert Brown serves on the boards of a several universities, including High Point University.  He was also a Special Assistant to President Richard Nixon.
• Speaker Joe Mavretic: First elected in 1980, Speaker Mavretic served 15 years in the North Carolina General Assembly, including two as House Speaker from 1989 to 1990.
• Jack Hawke: Former Chairman of the N.C. Republican Party, Jack Hawke previously served as President of the John W. Pope Civitas Institute, and has a wealth of past state government experience, including as Special Assistant for Policy to Governor Martin, and Deputy Secretary of Transportation for Governor Holshouser.

Serving as Chairman Overseeing Operations of the Transition:

• John Lassiter: President of Carolina Legal Staffing. Lassiter is a former at-large member on the Charlotte City Council and spent 10 years on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education.

Serving as Co-Chairs Overseeing Operations of the Transition:

• Ed McMahan: President and CEO of the Little-McMahan Group in Charlotte. Former member of the N.C. House, where he served on education and transportation oversight committees.
• Art Pope: CEO and Chairman of Variety Wholesalers Inc. and Chairman and President of the John William Pope Foundation. Pope served four terms in the N.C. House of Representatives and as Special Counsel to Governor Jim Martin in 1985.
• Mike Smith: President and Chief Operations Officer of Kane Realty Corporation. Smith’s professional experience includes working in the Political Affairs Office of the White House and serving as former Chair of the Wake County Economic Development Department Board.

Serving as General Counsel to the Transition:

• Johnathan Rhyne: Partner at the Jonas Law Firm practicing civil litigation and family law. Rhyne served six terms in the N.C. House of Representatives and as House Minority Leader from 1989 to 1992. He also served as a member of the Advisory Budget Commission from 1989 to 1990.

Transition Team Staff

Transition Director

• Thomas Stith: Program Director for Economic Development for the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at UNC-Chapel Hill. Stith’s past positions include co-founder and President of the Michael Thomas Group and Vice President of the John W. Pope Civitas Institute. His public service includes three consecutive terms on the Durham City Council.

Deputy Transition Director

• John Baldwin: Chief of Staff for the N.C. Department of Labor since 2001. Former Chief of Staff to House Speaker Harold Brubaker from 1994 to 1999 and assistant to former Governor Jim Martin between 1987 and 1993.

Policy Director

• Kelly Nicholson: Vice President of Health Policy at UNC Health Care System. Former Senior Policy Advisor to N.C. Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, Medicaid Policy Advisor for the State of South Carolina, and Health Policy Analyst for the National Governors’ Association.

Assistant Policy Director

• Matthew McKillip: Most recently served as Policy and Research Coordinator for Governor-Elect McCrory’s campaign and a policy research assistant at American Enterprise Institute. Graduate of Georgetown University with a degree in English.

Economic Development Director

• Tony Almeida: Retired vice president for Duke Energy’s Large Business Customers, U.S. Franchised Electric and Gas organization. Former vice president of business relations and economic development for Duke Energy Carolinas and former sales representative for Procter & Gamble. Graduate of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and economics.

Director of Human Resources

• Charles Duckett: Director of Boards and Commissions in the office of House Speaker Thom Tillis. From 2005 to 2011, Duckett served as Human Resources Director in the Office of the State Auditor. His past experience includes a post as Deputy Director of Personnel Appointments in Governor Jim Martin’s administration.

Communications Director

• Chris Walker: Former Regional Communications Advisor for Mitt Romney for President. Walker previously served as Press Secretary for Senator Richard Burr and as Senior Advisor/Communications Director for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.

Deputy Communications Director

• Ricky Diaz: Most recently served as Press Secretary of Governor-Elect McCrory’s campaign for governor. Former statewide e-Campaign Director for Chris Christie’s campaign for governor in 2009. In 2010, Ricky served as Deputy Communications Director for U.S. Senator Richard Burr’s campaign before joining the New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s administration as the Director of Media Affairs.

Scheduler

• Meredith McCullen: Clayton native and graduate of Appalachian State University and Suffolk University with a Masters in Political Science. Most recently served as Scheduling Director for Governor-Elect Pat McCrory’s 2012 campaign.

Legal Counsel

• Lindsey Wakely: Former Legal Counsel for Variety Wholesalers, Inc. A 2011 graduate of the UNC School of Law, Lindsey previously worked as a paralegal and as a law clerk for the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law.