Gov. Mike Easley has picked two deputies to replace retiring department heads until permanent successors are picked. Tracy Little will be acting secretary of the Department of Correction to replace retiring Secretary Theodis Beck.

Easley named Joanne McDaniel acting secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to replace retiring Secretary George Sweat.

Little was deputy secretary in the correction department, according to a news release. McDaniel was chief of staff in her department. The two will lead their agencies until Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue can install a replacement.