Governor-elect Josh Stein Appoints Richard Stevens to Transition Team Leadership, Gerald Roach to Chair Commerce Subcommittee

North Carolina Governor-elect Josh Stein has announced the leadership of his gubernatorial transition team, appointing Smith Anderson attorney and former North Carolina Senator Richard Stevens to the six-person leadership team. The Governor-Elect also appointed firm Chair Gerald Roach as chair of his Department of Commerce transition subcommittee.

“I am honored that these talented individuals have agreed to lead our transition team,” Stein said. “We have the opportunity to make a real difference in North Carolina, and I look forward to working closely with them to hire hard-working, public-spirited people who will help move our state forward.”

Governor-elect Stein also invited individuals interested in applying for roles in his cabinet and administration, or who are interested in serving on boards and commissions, to visit his transition website, www.stein2024transition.org.

Richard brings extensive experience in public service and government leadership, having served five terms in the Senate and as Wake County Manager, as well as serving in a similar transition role for former Gov. Mike Easley. Known for his role as co-chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and his budgetary expertise across bipartisan leadership, Stevens has been a pivotal figure in North Carolina’s legislative process. As a former Wake County Manager, he was honored with the Distinguished Public Service Award by the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce and served as Chair of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees.

Gerald has served as secretary to the Governor’s Business Council, a nonpartisan advisory group of business leaders who advise the governor and cabinet on business issues facing the state. A leading corporate attorney at Smith Anderson, Gerald’s practice spans public company securities, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance, private financing, technology law, and board advisement. Gerald regularly represents both public and private growth companies, as well as private equity firms, in their corporate and transactional needs. His accolades include recognition by Chambers USA as a Leader in the Field, Band One for Corporate/M&A (2004-2024), and The Best Lawyers in America® in Corporate Law, M&A Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation, and Venture Capital Law. He was also named a BTI Client Service All-Star and MVP, and Business North Carolina magazine named Gerald to its “North Carolina Power 100” list.

Additional members of the transition team leadership are:

• Seth Dearmin – Chief of Staff at the N.C. Department of Justice and long-time colleague of Governor-elect Stein.
• Kristi Jones – V.P for Public Affairs and Sustainability at NiSource; former Chief of Staff to Attorney General Roy Cooper and then Gov. Cooper.
• Malcomb Coley – U.S. Central Private Leader for EY and partner at Bright Hope Capital.
• Esther Manheimer – Mayor of Asheville and partner at the Van Winkle Law Firm.
• Christie McNeill – Executive Director; former partner at McKinsey & Company, specializing in financial services and energy transition.

The full announcement can be viewed here.