Governor McCrory Announces Appointments | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, NC     The Office of Governor Pat McCrory announced the following appointments today:

    North Carolina State Water Infrastructure Authority

    Gwen Baker (New Hanover County) - Baker is president of CDM Federal Programs Corporation. Prior to CDM, she served for 22 years as a U.S. Army engineer officer and paratrooper. Baker served stateside and overseas in every type of engineering unit.

    The commission identifies the state's water infrastructure needs, develops a plan to meet the needs and monitors the implementation of the plan. The term length is two years.

    North Carolina Environmental Management Commission

   •  Thomas Craven (Wake County) - Craven formed Priest, Craven & Associates Inc., in 1983, a land consulting firm. He was appointed to Raleigh City Council in 2005. He has served as president of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Wake County. Craven fills the seat requiring special training or scientific expertise in hydrology, water pollution control or the effects of water pollution.

   •  Julie Wilsey (Brunswick County) - Wilsey serves as the deputy director for the Wilmington International Airport (ILM). She helped lead ILM to become the first Green Plus-certified airport in the nation. Wilsey is an active participant in the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO). She graduated from West Point Military Academy. Wilsey fills the seat requiring special training or scientific expertise in hydrology, water pollution control or the effects of water pollution.

   •  E.O. Ferrell (Guilford County) - Ferrell is the founder of EOF Consulting in Greensboro. Prior, he was a senior consultant for Reliability and Management Group. He also served as the president and CEO of Grand Bahama Power Company. Ferrell fills the seat requiring special training or scientific expertise in air pollution control or the effects of air pollution.

   •  Dr. Robert Rubin (Chatham County) - Dr. Rubin is an emeritus professor in the biological and agricultural engineering department at N.C. State University. He is a senior environmental consultant and principal within his firm, A.R. Rubin and Associates. Dr. Rubin fills the seat requiring the member be actively connected with or have had experience in agriculture.

   •  Kevin Martin (Franklin County) - Martin is the co-founder and principal of Soil & Environmental Consultants, PA. He is a member of the Society of Wetlands and the National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists, among others. Martin fills the seat requiring special training in freshwater, estuarine, marine biological or ecological sciences or be actively connected with or have had experience in the fish and wildlife conservation activities of the state.

   •  Gerard (Jerry) Carroll (Mecklenburg County) - Carroll served as senior vice president of manufacturing operations and engineering at National Gypsum Company. He was a captain in the U.S. Air Force and flew more than 200 combat missions in Vietnam and was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He has also worked at Sonoco Products Company. Carroll fills the seat requiring the member to be actively employed by or recently retired from an industrial manufacturing facility and shall be knowledgeable in the field of industrial pollution control.

   •  Manning W. (Bill) Puette (Caldwell County) - Puette has extensive experience as a civil engineer and environmental attorney. He served as assistant director in the Division of Environmental Management in Governor Jim Holshouser's administration. He is a member of the California and North Carolina state bar associations. Puette fills an at-large seat on the board.

    The Environmental Management Commission of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has the power and duty to promulgate rules to be followed in the protection, preservation, and enhancement of the water and air resources of the state. The term length is six years.

    North Carolina Longitudinal Data System

    Del Arrendale (Mecklenburg County) - Arrendale is the CEO of Arrendale Associates Inc. AAI provides software and technology solutions to the health care industry. He served in the U.S. Navy and has volunteered on several municipal boards, including the Cornelius Strategic Planning Committee and the Parks Performance Review Committee.

    The statewide data system facilitates and enables the exchange of student data among agencies, along with generating timely, accurate information about student performance. It also links student and workforce data. The term length is four years.

    North Carolina State Board of Examiners for Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors

    Robert Owens (Wake County) - Owens has extensive experience in engineering and business management. He owns and operates a consulting firm specializing in construction and engineering.

    The board protects public health, safety and welfare by prescribing the standard of competence, experience and efficiency by examining applicants for plumbing, heating and fire sprinkler contractors' licenses. The term length is seven years.

    North Carolina On-Site Wastewater Contractors & Inspectors Certification Board

    Stephen Waters II (Beaufort County) - Waters is the water resources superintendent for the city of Washington, where he maintains certifications related to both the water and wastewater fields. He began his career with the city as a treatment plant operator. He serves as the city of Washington representative on the Beaufort County Local Emergency Planning Committee.

    The board protects the environment and public health, safety and welfare by ensuring the integrity and competence of on-site wastewater contractors and inspectors. It also requires the examination and certification of these contractors and inspectors, as well as establishing minimum standards for ethical conduct and experience. The term length is three years.


    Contact: Crystal Feldman
       govpress@nc.gov