Cooper names first cabinet nominees

Jim Trogdon and Michael Regan still must be confirmed by the state Senate, according to a law passed during a special legislative session last month.

Senators plan to include guidelines for the confirmation process when they adopt rules next week governing how the chamber will operate for the coming two-year session. The process will likely be similar to the confirmation process used to approved special Superior Court judges and members of boards such as the Industrial Commission.

Trogdon spent more than two decades at the Department of Transportation, rising to chief deputy secretary before he moved to the private sector about three years ago.

"I believe he has both the management skills and the hands-on knowledge to help build and maintain our transportation needs with our eyes fixed firmly on the future of our state," Cooper said in a news conference.

After getting back up to speed with DOT's activities, Trogdon said, he plans to focus on addressing traffic congestion, linking people across the state with jobs and moving freight smoothly through North Carolina.

"It's those things that are challenging all of the growing states in the United States, and North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states," he said.

Regan spent 10 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, followed by eight years in management positions with the Environmental Defense Fund.

"Michael cares deeply about clean air and water, not only that that can keep us healthy but can also boost our economy," Cooper said.

Environmental groups immediately praised Cooper's nomination of Regan, and the governor said he isn't concerned about Regan's background with EDF stalling his confirmation in the Republican-controlled Senate.

"Michael Regan has shown time and again that he's been able to bring diverse groups together – people with different thoughts – about how to move the state forward," he said.

Regan said he plans to tap the expertise and passion of career regulators at DEQ for suggestions and to improve transparency so everyone is working with the same information when devising solutions to environmental problems.

Cooper said more nominations will come this week.

"It'll come pretty fast now. We're working hard to nail the last few down," he said.