J. Keith Crisco, secretary of the N.C. Department of Commerce, today announced that Tim Crowley, deputy communications director for Gov. Bev Perdue, will become Commerce’s new assistant secretary for communications and external affairs, effective July 1.
“We are very pleased to have Tim Crowley join the Commerce team,” said Crisco. “Our Public Affairs staff has worked very closely with him, and we know his extensive experience with the news media, legislative and executive branches, and economic development will allow him to hit the ground running.”
Crowley takes over for Kathy Neal, who is leaving Commerce to pursue a new career in health care. Neal, who had been at Commerce since May 2007, leaves June 30. “I am thrilled to have Tim coming to Commerce,” Neal said. “He will do a great job, as he has in the Governor’s Press Office, and I know he will enjoy working with Secretary Crisco and other Commerce colleagues.”
As assistant secretary, Crowley will be responsible for a variety of functions, including:
- Serving as senior Public Affairs official for the state’s lead economic development agency.
- Managing communications around economic, workforce and community development; project announcements and public records requests.
- Maintaining relationships with reporters and editors and responding to media inquiries on behalf of Commerce and the Governor’s Office. Commerce receives about 1,000 media inquiries per year.
- Developing and/or editing briefings, speeches, background materials and news releases for economic development and other events attended by the Governor, Commerce secretary or deputy secretary.
- Managing a Public Affairs staff of three.
Crowley has served as Perdue’s deputy communications director since she took office in January 2009. He also served as press secretary for the Bev Perdue Campaign for Governor and as Perdue’s communications director during her last two years as lieutenant governor. He was managing producer/senior producer for UNC-TV for five years, overseeing the content of the nightly news program and other public affairs programs, including Legislative Week in Review. He also covered the N.C. General Assembly for the N.C. Public Radio Association.
Crowley holds a B.A. in Communications/Marketing from Western Illinois University and a master’s degree in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois-Springfield.