May 14, 2001

Names in the News

Easley names three to State Board of Education

Michelle Howard-Vital of Wilmington (left), Patricia Nickens Willoughby of Raleigh, and Wayne McDevitt of Asheville were appointed Tuesday by Gov. Mike Easley to eight-year terms on the State Board of Education. Howard-Vital is vice chancellor for the Division of Public Service and Extended Education at UNC-Wilmington. Willoughby is an assistant education professor at Meredith College. McDevitt is vice chancellor for administration and financial affairs at UNC-Asheville and a former chief of staff to former Gov. Jim Hunt.

"As North Carolina schools work hard to reduce class size, recruit and train new teachers, implement character education, and prepare students for the new economy, this board will be faced with many challenges," Easley said in a statement. "These three diverse individuals will contribute greatly as the board faces these challenges and works to improve our public school system."

The appointments, which must be confirmed by the General Assembly, are effective immediately. Howard-Vital replaces Margaret Harvey of Kinston as the District 2 representative; McDevitt replaces Robert Douglas of Asheville as the District 8 member; and Willoughby replaces Eddie Davis of Durham in an at-large seat.

Erskine Bowles (left), the Charlotte investment banker and former White House chief of staff,  said he won't seek the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination next year. Bowles’ announcement came a few days after Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight said he wouldn’t seek the Senate seat and instead would support Bowles if he ran. Also, former Gov. Jim Hunt again said he has no interest in running. Democrats considering the race include Cong. Bob Etheridge (D-2nd) and Mel Watt (D-12th), Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, state Rep. Dan Blue (D-Wake), and state Sen. Eric Reeves (D-Wake). Helms has not said whether he will seek a sixth term but he appears to be leaning toward running. If he doesn't, several Republicans have expressed interest, including Cong. Richard Burr (R-5th) and Robin Hayes (8th), and former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot.  

Tracy A. Little was named deputy secretary of the Department of Corrections by Secretary Theodis Beck. Little joined the Department in 1994 as public information officer for the N.C. Parole Commission. Four years later she became director of the Department's Office of Citizen Services. In January 2000, she was named public information director for the department.

Pheon Beale was named the new state social service director in the Department of Health and Human Resources. She formerly was chief of the economic independence section of  HHS.

Mike Blanton was appointed director of public affairs for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Blanton returns to the department after three years as public affairs manager for the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. Blanton also has served as executive director of the N.C. Wildlife Federation, public information specialist for the city of Charlotte, and as a reporter for the Monroe Enquirer Journal.

NCCBI President Phil Kirk and Sen. Tony Rand (D-Cumberland) were honored Wednesday by the North Carolina chapter of the American Institute of Architects for their leadership of last year’s successful campaign for passage of $3.1 billion in higher education bonds. Kirk and Rand were presented framed certificates by the architects during the group’s annual Legislative Day at the Capitol.


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