What does the Commerce Secretary do?

Leads the state's efforts to recruit and retain businesses.

As the head of the N.C. Department of Commerce, the governor-appointed secretary works to recruit and retain major employers, negotiate corporate incentives and boost state tourism.

Many political observers consider it one of the more important posts.

The department houses more than a dozen independent agencies with staff that report to a board or commission and not the secretary.

In 2008, the department had 459 staffers and a $47.6 million budget.

The department was created in 1971 under the administration of Gov. Bob Scott mostly as an umbrella for pre-existing regulatory agencies on such pedestrian subjects as alcohol, banking and cemeteries.

Under Gov. Jim Hunt's administration in 1977, it was reconstituted to focus on economic development.

Between 1989 and 1993, the agency was briefly named the Department of Economic and Community Development.

The longest-serving commerce secretary is Jim Fain, a member of Gov. Mike Easley's "Iron Cabinet," who served from 2001 through the end of his administration.

The first female Commerce secretary was Estell C. Lee, who served from 1989 to 1991. Since 1977, all other Commerce secretaries have been white men.

Other commerce secretaries in recent history have included future Sen. Lauch Faircloth, former U.S. Sen. Jim Broyhill and political insider Norris Tolson.

It is one of 10 Cabinet-level positions appointed by the governor to head state agencies.

The department is outlined in general statutes under Article 10 of G.S. 143B.