Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

Outstanding dual careers in North Carolina State Government and the U.S. Army (National Guard, retired Colonel).  High level executive in North Carolina State Government with over 28 years experience and proven expertise in the legislative process, general management of government agencies, sound budgeting, planning, and evaluation skills, excellent analytical skills, a deep appreciation, knowledge, and understanding for technology’s impact on business operations, and an effective leader.  Professional positions are outlined below.   32 year military career and completed numerous military leadership schools, held numerous military leadership positions over my career, and commanded infantry units at every level culminating in two successive years of active duty military service during the Global War Against Terrorism.  Held Top Secret Security Clearance (Special Background Investigation with access to Special Compartmented Information).

• Former Deputy Secretary of the NC Department of Correction
• Former Chief Deputy Secretary for the NC Department
of Transportation
• Former Deputy Commander for Contingency Base Camps,
US Army Central Command, Kuwait, Operation Iraqi
Freedom (2003)
• Former Director of Operations for Headquarters XVIII
Airborne Corps, Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring
Freedom (2001-2002)
• Former Senior Fiscal Analyst, NC General Assembly
• Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, University of North Carolina,
Wilmington
• Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning, University
of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• Master’s in Strategic Studies, United States Army War College
• Duke University Program for Innovations in State & Local
Government
• Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of
Government’s Program for Senior Executives in State
and Local Government

Had operational experience in two of state government’s largest agencies, DOC and DOT, including responsibility for development, review, and execution of DOT’s $2.5 B per year budget, overall development and coordination of policy at federal and state levels, and the administration of a host of support services.

As State Auditor, my top priority will be to ensure transparency, accountability, and responsibility to our State Government and the tax dollars that it spends.  Making sure our tax dollars are spent wisely and work well in programs passed by our lawmakers will be the cornerstone of my service.  I will work hard every day to eliminate fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption.  I will make sure that the books balance, the people aren’t swindled, and there is the highest level of confidence and accountability in every state department, division, agency, and program.

The size, scope, and complexity of the State’s $21B per year budget is enormous and the Office of the State Auditor is the one public official who is to certify the accountability and responsibility of those funds.  Clearly in the past four years, we have seen more political scandal and corruption than we have seen in recent history.  Yet, little has been done to strengthen the Office of the State Auditor

I will work diligently with the Legislature and Governor to get additional resources for the office to increase the number of accountants, auditors, IT professionals, and investigators to strengthen the level of accountability in State Government and intensify our efforts to identify wasteful and inefficient operations.  Reducing waste and abuse will save millions if not billions of dollars that could be returned to taxpayers or spent on improving our schools, roads, and health care systems.

We need a State Auditor who will show up for work and work to represent the people of North Carolina.  The office is more than just looking at assets and liabilities.  It’s about making sure the people are getting their money’s worth, that the programs being funded are still relevant, and that the money being spent is done wisely, honestly, and ethically.