Demoted at DENR, Mitch Gillespie joins House Speaker Tim Moore’s staff

One week after being demoted by the new head of the state’s environmental agency, former legislator Mitch Gillespie is joining House Speaker Tim Moore’s staff as a senior policy adviser.

Gillespie was assistant secretary for the environment at the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. But shortly after becoming DENR secretary, Donald van der Vaart reassigned Gillespie to the Asheville regional office.

Gillespie – who represented several western counties in the state House for 15 years – decided he wouldn’t return to the mountains. Instead, he’ll help Moore shape laws related to the environment, natural resources, energy and regulatory reform, according to a news release.

News of Gillespie’s new role came Friday afternoon as Moore announced his 12-member staff. “I am proud to have assembled an experienced group of professionals who will provide outstanding service to the General Assembly, and work tirelessly for the people of North Carolina,” Moore said in a news release.

Moore’s team also includes:

Three other Moore hires had already been announced: Chief of Staff Clayton Somers, Deputy Chief of Staff Andy Munn and Communications Director Mollie Young.

This story was originally published January 23, 2015 at 5:47 PM with the headline "Demoted at DENR, Mitch Gillespie joins House Speaker Tim Moore’s staff."