Ten appointees who run state departments.
The governor of North Carolina appoints people to run state departments not overseen by elected members of the Council of State.
Although they make less than statewide elected officials, Cabinet appointees typically have larger budgets and supervise more state workers.
Administration: Supervises the behind-the-scenes business of state government.
Commerce: Leads the state's efforts to recruit and retain businesses.
Correction: Oversees the state prison system and related programs.
Crime Control and Public Safety: Oversees the state's law enforcement, homeland security and emergency response efforts.
Cultural Resources: Leads cultural outreach and historical preservation programs around the state.
Environment and Natural Resources: Oversees programs regulating water and air quality and protecting wildlife, wilderness and coastal areas.
Health and Human Services: Oversees the state's social welfare and health care programs.
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: Supervises the state's interactions with young criminals and at-risk youth.
Revenue: Oversees state tax collection.
Transportation: Oversees state highways, mass transit, ferries and other transportation programs.
Traditionally, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Correction and Environment and Natural Resources have the largest budgets and the most employees.
The smallest department in budget and employees is Cultural Resources.
Seven of Gov. Mike Easley's appointments were nicknamed the "Iron Cabinet" because many of them served from 2001 through 2008.
His original Cabinet from 2001, which included three women and three black appointees, was described as "perhaps the most diverse" in state history.
