Heather Horton was named Chief Fiscal Officer for the Department of Commerce in May 2015.
Prior to joining the Commerce leadership team, Heather served as Internal Audit Director for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources where she began her state government experience in 2013.  Heather enjoyed success in private industry for 15 years working with two large regional public accounting firms of McGladrey & Pullen and Dixon Hughes Goodman.  While in public accounting she worked with a variety of clients, including small business owners, non-profit organizations and governmental units.

Heather has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the Kenan Flagler Business School at UNC Chapel Hill.  She also holds a master’s degree in Accounting from East Carolina University.  She has been a licensed CPA in the state of North Carolina since 2000.

Heather leads the Fiscal Management team at the Department, which is responsible for accounting, budgeting, and purchasing functions and provides financial guidance to business leaders in the Department's various operating divisions.  The unit also administers and monitors certain legislative grants.