Perdue Announces Co-Chairs of Budget Reform and Accountabilty Comm.

Governor Bev Perdue Announces Co-Chairs of Budget Reform and Accountability Commission

By: Press Release, Office of the Governor | WNCT
Published: March 13, 2009

Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Hilda Pinnix-Ragland of Cary and Norris Tolson of Pinetops will serve as co-chairs of the Budget Reform and Accountability Commission (BRAC). Perdue established the commission in January to help her locate and eliminate wasteful spending while increasing efficiency in government.

“It is the responsibility of government to ensure every tax dollar is used as efficiently and wisely as possible,” said Perdue. “I expect my BRAC team to root out wasteful and unnecessary spending, hold government accountable for its appropriations and help ensure taxpayers are not funding ineffective or unsuccessful programs.”

The commission’s first task will be to conduct a detailed review of the state’s entire continuation budget to identify inefficiencies, and develop options for cuts and consolidations.

Hilda Pinnix-Ragland is chairwoman of the State Board of Community Colleges. Appointed in 2005, she is the first woman and the first African-American to head the board that oversees the state's community college system, one of the largest in the country.

In 1980, Ms. Pinnix-Ragland joined Carolina Power & Light, now known as Progress Energy. She has worked her way up to vice president of corporate public affairs. Her past vice president roles at Progress Energy include vice president in charge of economic development, vice president of energy delivery services and vice president of the northern region.

Ms. Pinnix-Ragland, 53, earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from North Carolina A&T State University, graduating magna cum laude. She earned her MBA from Duke University.

Norris Tolson is president and CEO of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. He served as commerce secretary and transportation secretary under Gov. Jim Hunt. In 2001, Gov. Mike Easley appointed Mr. Tolson secretary of revenue. Mr. Tolson served two terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Mr. Tolson, 69, earned his bachelor’s degree in crop science and agribusiness from North Carolina State University.

The initial membership of the BRAC is expected to be named within the next week.