South Raleigh News

Today, ten members of Governor Josh Stein's cabinet were officially sworn into office. Governor Stein expressed confidence in his team, stating, "My cabinet secretaries are ready to hit the ground running to make North Carolina safer and stronger. I am grateful that this talented team has agreed to serve our state, and I look forward to working together to make our home state an even better place to live, work, and raise a family."

The newly sworn-in cabinet members include Leslie Cooley Dismukes for the Department of Adult Correction, Lee Lilley for the Department of Commerce, D. Reid Wilson for the Department of Environmental Quality, Teena Piccione for the Department of Information Technology, Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette for the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, Eddie Buffaloe Jr. for the Department of Public Safety, McKinley Wooten Jr. for the Department of Revenue, Kristin Walker for the Office of State Budget and Management, Staci Meyer for the Office of State Human Resources, and Joey Hopkins for the Department of Transportation.

Leslie Cooley Dismukes brings experience from her previous role as Criminal Bureau Chief at the North Carolina Department of Justice. Lee Lilley has served as Director of Economic and Pandemic Recovery and Director of Legislative Affairs. D. Reid Wilson previously held positions as Secretary at the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and Chief of Staff to an EPA Administrator.

Teena Piccione has held leadership roles at Google, RTI International, Fidelity Investments, and AT&T. Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette is an Air Force veteran with a background in law. Eddie Buffaloe Jr., who has been with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety since 2021, also has extensive law enforcement experience.

McKinley Wooten Jr.'s career spans over 30 years in public service. Kristin Walker continues her role as State Budget Director at the Office of State Budget and Management. Staci Meyer brings her experience from roles at both the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Department of Justice.

Joey Hopkins has dedicated over 30 years to various roles within the Department of Transportation.

Additional appointments include Gabe Esparza for the Department of Administration set to be sworn in on January 11; Dev Sangvai for Health and Human Services scheduled for January 12; Pam Cashwell was sworn in on January 3 as Secretary for Natural and Cultural Resources.