Gov. Roy Cooper on Tuesday announced his first two Cabinet selections.
Cooper tapped Michael Regan to be his environmental quality secretary and Jim Trogdon to be his Transportation secretary.
Regan founded M. Regan & Associates in September 2016. Before that, he was with the Environmental Defense Fund in Raleigh for seven years, serving as associate vice president for U.S. climate and energy and Southeast regional director, as well as national director of energy efficiency and Southeast climate and energy policy.
When asked if he thought Regan’s time with a group such as the Environmental Defense Fund might be an obstacle to Senate confirmation, Cooper replied, “I think it’s important for a governor to appoint the very best people to serve in each of these positions. We need people who also can bring people together and work together. Michael Regan has shown time and again that he has been able to bring diverse groups together.”
The General Assembly in one if its December 2016 special sessions passed a law invoking a constitutional provision requiring Senate consent of Cabinet heads. Portions of that law are being challenged in the courts.
Trogdon is well-known at the N.C. Department of Transportation, having served in a number of positions, including its chief operating officer.
Trogdon is also a major general in the North Carolina National Guard.
Cooper said the two men will begin their jobs in a week.
Cooper also appointed “caretaker supervisors” of various departments until the Cabinet officers take their positions. They are Britt Cobb at the Department of Administration, George Sherrill at the Department of Commerce, Bill Ross at the Department of Environmental Quality, Dempsey Benton at the Department of Health and Human Services, Kevin Cherry at the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Linda Hayes at the Department of Public Safety, Ron Penny at the Department of Revenue, and Mike Holder at the Department of Transportation.