Governor Roy Cooper today announced a new leadership team for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
As secretary, Cooper has selected Susi Hamilton, a state legislator with broad professional experience in economic development, regional planning and the arts. Representative Hamilton hails from Wilmington. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned her Masters in Public Administration from UNC-Wilmington.
“Susi Hamilton has a strong appreciation for North Carolina’s natural and cultural heritage and a deep commitment to serving our state,” Cooper said. "She shares my belief that our history, natural resources and strong arts traditions are critical to our economy and worth celebrating."
Working closely with Hamilton as Chief Deputy Secretary will be Reid Wilson, who brings expertise in conservation and protection of natural resources including more than a decade as executive director of the Conservation Trust for North Carolina. Wilson lives in Raleigh and is a graduate of Grinnell College.
“Reid Wilson has helped preserve lands from the mountains to the coast and will be a great asset to the Department," Cooper said.
The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources oversees North Carolina state parks, museums, aquariums and historic sites, the State Archives and Library, and arts programs. The department took on additional duties that were originally part of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Other cabinet announcements are anticipated in the coming days.
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