Governor Introduces New State Budget Director | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Raleigh, N.C. – Governor Pat McCrory announced today that Art Pope will step down as state budget director. Pope, who has served as budget director since January 2013, will return to the private sector.


    "Art Pope has been an invaluable public servant for the people of North Carolina," Governor McCrory said. "His knowledge and leadership helped produce historic tax reform while producing two balanced budgets that put North Carolina back on the road to prosperity. He has dedicated much of his life to the betterment of North Carolina and it has been a privilege to have him at my side."

    Pope's public service began in 1985 as Special Counsel for Governor Jim Martin. He was later appointed the State Goals and Policy Board, which was given the task of evaluating balancing the state's capital needs for public school facilities, prisons and road construction.

    Pope previously served in North Carolina House for more than 7 years. As a legislator, Pope served on both the Finance and Appropriations committees, where was one the primary sponsors of legislation to create the state's "Rainy Day Fund."

    Governor McCrory announced that Lee H. Roberts will succeed Pope as the state's new budget director.


    "Lee has a terrific sense of fiscal sensibility and responsibility, and I'm excited to have him join our team," said Governor McCrory. "North Carolina state government will thrive under his oversight. His experience in the global marketplace will provide a useful and original perspective, and his leadership skills will further our administration's goal of thoughtful, deliberate stewardship of taxpayer dollars."

    Roberts has extensive experience in financial management. He recently served as managing director of Piedmont Community Bank Holdings in Raleigh. He was the executive vice president and chief operating officer of VantageSouth Bancshares, a bank holding company.

    He also founded a real estate investment and advisory firm, Coley Capital, LLC. He has worked for Morgan Stanley & Co., Cherokee Investment Partners and as an associate with Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP.

    Roberts received his undergraduate degree in political science from Duke University. He graduated cum laude from Georgetown University, where he received his J.D.

    Governor McCrory appointed Roberts to the North Carolina Banking Commission in 2013. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ravenscroft School, is the vice president of the Duke Alumni Association and is involved in many other area organizations.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov