Skvarla names DENR team

Secretary John Skvarla Wednesday named his team to run the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
As expected, former state Rep. Mitch Gillespie, a small business owner and a long-time critic of DENR, was named assistant secretary for the environment.
Brad Ives was named assistant secretary for natural resources. He is currently vice president for corporate development at Semprius, a manufacturer of solar panels in Research Triangle Park.
Neal Robbins was named director of legislative and intergovernmental affairs. He is an attorney with Robbins Law in Winston-Salem, where his practice focused on debtor-creditor issues.
Lacy Presnell, a Raleigh attorney, was named general counsel.
Mary Penny Thompson, who had been chief deputy, was named acting assistant secretary for administration.