What is the Iron Cabinet?

Seven Cabinet members appointed by Gov. Mike Easley in 2001 who stayed through the end of his administration.

After winning his first election as governor, Easley appointed 10 people to his Cabinet after nearly three months of deliberation.

The following stayed through the tail end of his administration in late 2008:

Theodis Beck, Secretary of Corrections, reappointed Jan. 11, 2001 after serving under Gov. Jim Hunt since April of 1999
George Sweat, Secretary of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, reappointed Jan. 9, 2001, after serving under Hunt since 2000.
Bryan Beatty, Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety, appointed Jan. 8, 2001
Libba Evans, Secretary of Cultural Resources, appointed Jan. 11, 2001
Bill Ross, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, appointed Jan. 15, 2001
Lyndo Tippett, Secretary of Transportation, appointed Jan. 25, 2001
Jim Fain, Secretary of Commerce, appointed March 7, 2001

N&O political reporter Rob Christensen nicknamed the group "the Iron Cabinet" in a March 1, 2007, column.