Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
For Release: IMMEDIATE
Date:
November 23, 2004
Contact: Vanessa Capobianco
Phone: 919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY APPOINTS KELLY TO SPEARHEAD WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
RECOVERY EFFORTS
RALEIGH— Gov. Mike Easley today appointed David Kelly of Oak Island to spearhead western North
Carolina recovery efforts and oversee the Western Recovery Task Force. Kelly begins work Monday and
will devote full-time efforts to western North Carolina recovery following several natural disasters that
struck the region this year.
“David successfully managed Hurricane Floyd’s recovery efforts, and I am confident that his expertise
will help meet the needs of our western North Carolina residents,” Easley said. “The west has suffered
some of its most severe flooding ever and the task force, with David’s leadership, will help the families,
businesses and communities recover.”
Established by the governor in October, the 41-member task force consists of local officials, business
leaders, non-profit organizations and economic developers. The task force, chaired by Gordon Myers, is
currently evaluating the needs of the western region while also making recommendations on recovery
strategies. It is expected to provide a full report to Easley, Kelly and the legislature in December.
In May 2001, Easley appointed Kelly to head the Hurricane Floyd Redevelopment Office and oversee
recovery efforts. He had previously served as Secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public
Safety from November 1999 until January 2001. He had served as deputy secretary since May 1997
with direct responsibility for operation of the State Highway Patrol, Alcohol Law Enforcement
Division, Law Enforcement Support Services and the N.C. Boxing Commission.
He was an assistant secretary for Public Safety from 1977 to 1982. During that time, Kelly developed
the State Emergency Response Team concept, which is still in use today. He also helped establish the
state emergency plan for responding to nuclear power plant incidents.
In 1982, he joined the former Carolina Power & Light Co. as manager of external relations for the
Brunswick Nuclear Plant in Southport. In 1993, he was promoted to director of external affairs at
CP&L’s corporate office in Raleigh, a position he held until being appointed deputy secretary at CCPS.
-moreGovernor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
Before returning to CCPS in 1997, Kelly served as chairman of the North Carolina Ports Railway
Commission, which oversees operation of the port railway facilities at Wilmington and Morehead
City.
He also served as chairman of the Cape Fear Navigation and Pilotage Commission, which licenses
river pilots who serve the Port of Wilmington and other companies along the Cape Fear River, and was
chairman of the Board of Trustees at Brunswick Community College for eight years.
Kelly attended N.C. State University, received an associate’s degree from Brunswick Community
College in education and letters, completed the Government Executives Institute program at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed course work in total quality management
and radiological emergency response.
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