ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Gov. Josh Stein on Tuesday announced the appointment of two Western North Carolina leaders to key roles in the state’s long-term recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.
Sharon Decker, a former North Carolina Secretary of Commerce, will serve as a senior advisor, while Forrest Gilliam, former Madison County manager, will serve as legislative director for the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina, also known as GROW NC.
“I am committed to bringing leaders to the GROW NC team who will prioritize urgency, focus, transparency and accountability to help rebuild Western North Carolina,” Stein said in a statement.
GROW NC Director Matt Calabria said the additions are part of the state’s ongoing efforts to help communities hit hard by Helene recover swiftly and sustainably.
“My team and I are determined to help Western North Carolina rebuild and recover as quickly as possible,” Calabria said in a statement. “I am excited to continue building our team with these highly qualified professionals who have deep roots in Western North Carolina.”
Decker will lead a collaborative effort through her nonprofit, Tapestry Collaborative, to develop a framework for long-term economic recovery. She will advise the governor, the recovery office and the Department of Commerce and help coordinate partnerships across the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
“The devastation has been horrific, but the fortitude and perseverance of Western North Carolinians is extraordinary,” Decker said. “We will come back and better than before.”
Gilliam brings nearly 20 years of experience in government. Most recently, he worked with the town of Marshall to secure infrastructure funding tied to storm recovery.
Decker and Gilliam will work alongside other regional and state officials to coordinate Helene recovery efforts, with a focus on collaboration and accountability, according to the governor’s office.