UNC system President Erskine Bowles is clearly a big fan of Andy Willis, who served as the university system's chief lobbyist until last month, when he left to work for Gov. Beverly Purdue.

In introducing Willis' successor, Anita Watkins, Bowles today joked about Willis and his new role in state government - which Bowles hopes will benefit the university at a time when the state is making hard decisions about cuts for state agencies, reports Eric Ferreri.

"She replaces Andy Willis," Bowles said of Watkins, pausing for a moment. "I almost made a joke about Andy, but I can't because he's so important."

The UNC system has a new lobbyist.

Anita S. Watkins, legislative counsel for the N.C. League of Municipalities, will serve as vice president for government relations for the multi-campus UNC system, Eric Ferreri reports. 

She replaces Andy Willis, who resigned earlier this month to become a senior adviser to Gov. Beverly Perdue.

UNC President Erskine Bowles announced her appointment today. It is effective Jan. 26.

Watkins will serve as the university's primary liaison to the state legislature, the governor's office and state government agencies. She will also work with Bowles, the UNC Board of Governors and senior staffers to develop policies and programs.

She holds a law degree and a master's degree in city and regional planning from UNC-Chapel Hill, as well as undergraduate degrees in political science and Spanish from N.C. State University.

After graduating from NCSU in 1994, she served for three years as a research assistant in the office of state Senate leader Marc Basnight. She later was senior policy analyst for the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources before going to the League of Municipalities.