Trending...
- $112 Million Contract Backlog for Cycurion (N A S D A Q: CYCU) Enters Hyper-Growth Phase With, Strategic Acquisitions, & Exploding AI Cybersecurity
- "Fearless and Free": Long Beach Pride 2026 Celebrates Resilience, Family, and Multicultural Connection
- Super Bowl Champion Marvel Smith Inspires Launch of MVP-IQ Platform to Help Football Players Develop and Get Recruited Like the Pros
Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that Machelle Sanders, current Secretary of the NC Department of Administration, will now serve as Secretary of the Department of Commerce. Sanders will replace Tony Copeland who stepped down at the end of January.
"Machelle has been an outstanding leader in this administration, and I am grateful that she is willing to take on this new role and continue to serve our great state," said Gov. Cooper. "Her strong background as a business leader and her extensive knowledge of what it takes to build a globally competitive workforce will serve North Carolina well as we attract better paying jobs, help small businesses and stimulate our innovation and entrepreneurial economy."
"I am humbled and excited about leading the NC Department of Commerce at this critical time in our state's history. In this role, I plan to execute on a bold vision for economic restoration and progress for our state and its people in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Sec. Sanders. "My top priority is to marry innovation and strong leadership to create promising conditions for economic recovery and opportunity. Expanding workforce development initiatives is essential to helping North Carolina attract and keep jobs that not only help people fulfill basic needs, but also provide them with the ability to start and sustain businesses of their own. Collaboration with economic development partners, community stakeholders, higher education networks, and affinity groups will help to transform the enormous economic possibilities for rural areas and groups marginalized from enjoying in the promise of economic growth and prosperity. Building a strong team of dedicated public servants and experts, and creating a culture of equity, inclusion, and excellence will ensure that the agency remains committed to these goals. I look forward to leading with purpose to achieve results consistent with Governor Cooper's promise to make this a state that works for everyone."
More on ncarol.com
Most recently, Sanders served as Secretary of the Department of Administration. Gov. Cooper appointed her to the position on January 12, 2017.
A graduate of North Carolina State University, Sanders holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Master of Health Administration from Pfeiffer University.
Sec. Sanders is a native of Belhaven, North Carolina and brings strong business experience in both management and leadership to the Commerce Department. She is a seasoned pharmaceutical and biotechnology executive and previously held the role of vice president of manufacturing and general manager of Biogen's largest manufacturing facility in Research Triangle Park (RTP). She also held leadership positions overseeing manufacturing, global quality assurance and quality control functions at Biogen and Diosynth-Akzo Nobel. While at Biogen, Sec. Sanders created a Women's Innovation Network.
Sec. Sanders is a strong supporter of diversity and inclusion and serves as the Chair of the North Carolina Commission on Inclusion, the North Carolina Complete Count Commission and the Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental, and Health Equity Task Force. Additionally, she serves on the Interagency Council for Coordinating Homeless Programs (ICCHP), Commission of Indian Affairs and the NC State University Board of Visitors.
More on ncarol.com
Deputy Secretary Mark Edwards will serve as interim Secretary of the NC Department of Administration.
"Machelle has been an outstanding leader in this administration, and I am grateful that she is willing to take on this new role and continue to serve our great state," said Gov. Cooper. "Her strong background as a business leader and her extensive knowledge of what it takes to build a globally competitive workforce will serve North Carolina well as we attract better paying jobs, help small businesses and stimulate our innovation and entrepreneurial economy."
"I am humbled and excited about leading the NC Department of Commerce at this critical time in our state's history. In this role, I plan to execute on a bold vision for economic restoration and progress for our state and its people in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Sec. Sanders. "My top priority is to marry innovation and strong leadership to create promising conditions for economic recovery and opportunity. Expanding workforce development initiatives is essential to helping North Carolina attract and keep jobs that not only help people fulfill basic needs, but also provide them with the ability to start and sustain businesses of their own. Collaboration with economic development partners, community stakeholders, higher education networks, and affinity groups will help to transform the enormous economic possibilities for rural areas and groups marginalized from enjoying in the promise of economic growth and prosperity. Building a strong team of dedicated public servants and experts, and creating a culture of equity, inclusion, and excellence will ensure that the agency remains committed to these goals. I look forward to leading with purpose to achieve results consistent with Governor Cooper's promise to make this a state that works for everyone."
More on ncarol.com
- Permian Museum Adds Carbonaceous Chondrite Reference Photos
- L2 Aviation Receives FAA STC and PMA for Klatt Works SAVED™ Smoke Vision System
- Axencis Launches Performance Partnership for Brand Protection
- CCHR Says New OIG Report Raises Concerns about Drugging Elderly with Antipsychotics
- Project Pretzel Introduces a New System for Running Renovation Projects with Built In Contracts and Real Time Execution
Most recently, Sanders served as Secretary of the Department of Administration. Gov. Cooper appointed her to the position on January 12, 2017.
A graduate of North Carolina State University, Sanders holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Master of Health Administration from Pfeiffer University.
Sec. Sanders is a native of Belhaven, North Carolina and brings strong business experience in both management and leadership to the Commerce Department. She is a seasoned pharmaceutical and biotechnology executive and previously held the role of vice president of manufacturing and general manager of Biogen's largest manufacturing facility in Research Triangle Park (RTP). She also held leadership positions overseeing manufacturing, global quality assurance and quality control functions at Biogen and Diosynth-Akzo Nobel. While at Biogen, Sec. Sanders created a Women's Innovation Network.
Sec. Sanders is a strong supporter of diversity and inclusion and serves as the Chair of the North Carolina Commission on Inclusion, the North Carolina Complete Count Commission and the Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental, and Health Equity Task Force. Additionally, she serves on the Interagency Council for Coordinating Homeless Programs (ICCHP), Commission of Indian Affairs and the NC State University Board of Visitors.
More on ncarol.com
- Plated Possibilities Launches Luxury Culinary Series Celebrating Black Women Chefs In Charlotte
- Generous Anonymous Gift Brings New Life to Piedmont Crossing Dog Park
- Freedomtech Solutions creates 'Global Data Centre Network (IDCN)'
- Dual-Engine Growth Strategy Ignited: AI Infrastructure Breakout Meets Scalable Circular Economy Expansion: Marwynn Holdings, Inc. (N A S D A Q: MWYN)
- Super Bowl Champion Marvel Smith Inspires Launch of MVP-IQ Platform to Help Football Players Develop and Get Recruited Like the Pros
Deputy Secretary Mark Edwards will serve as interim Secretary of the NC Department of Administration.
0 Comments
Latest on ncarol.com
- The New World of Freight Brokering with AI
- Captain Notepad Launches Full-Service Direct Mail Platform for Small Businesses Nationwide
- World Cup Buzz Fuels Nayarit's Rise as Mexico's Pacific Standout
- Nayarit strengthens its position in Mexico's Culinary Elite with 8 restaurants in the 2026 Mexico Gastronomic Guide
- Winter Garden Ski Lake Home Sells for $2.05M in Cash Transaction, Highlighting Demand for Strategically Positioned Luxury Properties
- Strobert Tree Services' "50 Shades of Green" Campaign Encourages Arbor Day Action Across Delaware and Pennsylvania
- As Fluoride Debate Grips the Nation, Americans Turn to Whole-House Fluoride Filters for Answers
- FOCUS Hires Carrier-Side Operations Leader to Build the Next Generation of Insurance Service Delivery
- Adams Security Group LLC Launches New Website to Expand Professional Security Services Across Florida
- Presidential Acceleration of Psychedelic Therapies Enters a Defining Moment as Federal Policy, FDA Alignment & Breakthrough Neurotechnology Converge
- Peernovation And Inception Stratos Launch Joint Venture To Build A Global Peer-powered Performance Platform
- GDE Tree Services Expands Operations Across Logan, Ipswich and the Gold Coast
- UK AltNet FullFibre Solves IPv4 Shortage With netElastic BNG And CGNAT Networking Software
- Studica Robotics Receives 2026 Partner Excellence Award from FIRST® Robotics Canada
- Seven Games That Make You Think (and Smile) Earn 2026 Mensa Select® Honors
- New Research Reveals Gen Z Trusts Independent Sources Over Influencers — Exposing What We are Talker Calls "The Independent Validation Gap"
- New research identifies The Discovery Gap: Seven in 10 Americans say travel is no longer just about getting away
- PropAccount.com Adds Equities to Its Multi-Asset Prop Firm Platform, Opening the Door to the World's Largest Trading Market
- Ailias Launches Global Partner Programme for AI-Powered Conversational Digital Humans in Events and Experiences
- Village People Headline "Rock The Rainbow" Phuket Pride Finale 2026