McCrory Makes Three Important Appointments

Published December 13, 2012

Governor-elect Pat McCrory demonstrated a business-like approach to taking the reins of government in the naming of three key appointments. McCrory said he told his transition team they needed to identify appointments with three understandings: 1. The main thrust of this administration will be customer service. 2. There will be no new money to expand or pay for services. 3. Each agency of government will work together collaboratively and will share resources and information, reiterating the demand for high ethical standards.

The first and possibly most significant appointment is his Chief of Staff. Thomas Stith has served in this role in the transition, so it was no surprise he was tapped to become the new administration’s chief of staff. In addition to being a personal advisor to McCrory, Stith will work to coordinate inner workings of the administration, agencies of government and relations with the media and legislature. In accepting the appointment Stith pointed out that his ancestors had come to this country as slaves at Coolmore Plantation in Tarboro. The new chief-of-staff said in accepting the position that he had violated one of his two basic rules of life: Never go into business with a friend and never go to work for a friend. McCrory, Stith said, was a true friend.

Dr. Aldona Wos, former Ambassord to Estonia, will be the new Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Wos has a storied career in medicine but is also an outstanding person. When Aldona commits to something, McCrory said, she pulls in others around her and never lets off until she has accomplished her task. Wos’ name had been previously mentioned but many had dismissed it because it was thought she wouldn’t accept the post. The governor-elect said he was pleased and surprised he was able to talk her into it, saying she could do anything in the public or private sector she wanted and he was pleased she was willing to accept this appointment. In accepting, Wos said that life was short and needs to be meaningful. She acknowledged the significant challenges ahead for Health and Human Services in the near future, saying she expects the department to bring excellence, availability, accountability and affordability to healthcare in our state.

The third appointment was of John Skvarla to be Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. CEO of Restoration Systems, McCory said Skvarla was an entrepreneur businessman who understands and values environmental protection. In making the appointment McCrory said he expects DENR to cooperate and work with the Departments of Commerce and Transportation. This will be particularly important as we expand energy exploration both onshore and inland. Skvarla said his company had restored and protected 60 miles of streams and rivers, 25,000 acres of land and planted 1.2 million trees. He promised balance between business and the environment, adding the environment would be protected.

McCrory took great care to praise Governor Bev Perdue, saying she had been extremely helpful to him and his team in this transition process. The two will be touring military installations in our state on Friday. When a reporter asked McCrory to respond to Perdue’s recent decisions on the Dix campus, health insurance exchanges and court appointments he immediately responded, “She’s the Governor.” He hopes to have the rest of his eight cabinet appointments in place prior to taking the oath on January 5th, saying his transition team was working tirelessly to identify, interview appointees and this process also required that the person selected have time to discuss the move with family and employers. So far, McCrory stated, he had received acceptances from everyone on his “A” list and had not had to resort to “plan B.”