Governor McCrory Thanks Sharon Decker for her Service to North Carolina;

Raleigh, N.C. -  Governor Pat McCrory announced today that Sharon Decker will step down as secretary of the Department of Commerce effective December 31. Decker, who has served as Commerce secretary since January 2013 and has helped lead our state to increased jobs and a better business environment, will return to the private sector.
 
“Since my administration entered office in January of 2013, North Carolina has gained more than 150,000 jobs, and that is a testament to our business-friendly environment and transformational changes at the Commerce Department led by Secretary Sharon Decker,” said Governor McCrory. “Sharon’s business acumen, knowledge of the private sector and results-oriented attitude are what made her one of the best at what she does and she will be greatly missed. She will leave a legacy of jobs and a legacy as being one of the best salesmen North Carolina has ever seen.”
 
Decker joined Governor McCrory as Commerce secretary when he took office on January 5, 2013. Decker came from the private sector, where her 30-plus years of business experience reaped rewards for a state with one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation at the time. Since January of 2013, North Carolina has gained more than 150,000 jobs and the unemployment rate in North Carolina has had one of the steepest drops in the nation. Under the direction of Governor McCrory, Decker’s leadership helped with the creation of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, a nonprofit corporation focused on making North Carolina more competitive at recruiting businesses and helping existing companies to expand and create jobs. Decker and the Commerce Department have also been instrumental in a new and collaborative approach to workforce development NCWorks. A native of Rutherfordton, Decker also helped create and shape the state’s new Rural Division which focuses on economic development in rural North Carolina.
 
With the departure of Decker, Governor McCrory announced that John Skvarla, current secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, will become the next Commerce secretary.
 
“John Skvarla has led our environmental department through a very important time. His leadership, ability to work under high pressure and business-friendly approach is exactly what the Department of Commerce needs as Sharon departs,” said Governor McCrory. “Under the leadership of Secretary Skvarla, DENR has compiled a list of accomplishments, including the creation of the toughest coal ash law in the nation as well as moving North Carolina closer toward safe and environmentally sound energy exploration. As we have already seen, John will be a fantastic representative and salesman for the State of North Carolina.”