Coleman put in charge of state personnel

State Rep. Linda Coleman will join Gov.-elect Bev Perdue's administration as director of the Office of State Personnel, Perdue's staff announced Thursday.

Ann Cobb, who has worked within the state personnel office, has been named to be Coleman's deputy director.

"Mrs. Coleman and Mrs. Cobb are both experienced personnel managers and dedicated public servants," Perdue said. "They will be tremendous assets to North Carolina and its state employees."

Before winning a seat in the legislature in 2005, Coleman was a member and served as chairwoman of the Wake County Board of Commissioners.

She has extensive experience in personnel management for the state.

Coleman previously worked as the human resources management director at the state Department of Agriculture, human resources management director for the N.C. Department of Administration, personnel director for the N.C. Department of Community Colleges, and personnel analyst for the N.C. Office of State Personnel. After taking office in the state House of Representatives, she served as head of the state personnel committee.

Coleman holds an master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and a bachelor's degree in French from N.C. A&T State University.

Cobb also has extensive human resource management experience.

Since 1998, she has worked as managing partner of the Human Resource Development Group for the state Office of State Personnel. She also was quality management director for the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Cobb earned a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Tennessee and a master's degree in adult education from N.C. State University.