Pat McCrory's New Gig Showcases His Leadership & Political Skills

Charlotte Law Firm Hires McCrory As A Public Policy Consultant



Fourteen years as Charlotte's mayor has proven a powerful resume-booster for Pat McCrory, who plans to put his experience to use in a new job: He's joined law firm Moore & Van Allen as a Public Policy Consultant.

McCrory started Monday as the Charlotte firm's senior director of strategic initiatives. In that full-time position, he'll focus on helping clients on energy, the environment, transportation, governmental affairs and other issues and public policies.

"I see it as a wonderful opportunity to work with a Carolinas firm that's headquartered right here in Charlotte," McCrory said.

McCrory, a Republican, stepped down from the mayor's office last month.

His energy, knowledge and contacts in the public and private sectors will be valuable in the new position, said Ernie Reigel, the firm's chairman.

"Pat's got a lot of experience being a free thinker and a strategic thinker," Reigel said. "We want him to work with many of our clients trying to help them think through things, solving problems or issues for them, or anticipating things they might need some help on."

McCrory would not disclose his salary. But the former mayor said the new job - one of a range of opportunities that arose after leaving office - will allow him to remain involved in other business roles.

After leaving Duke Energy in 2008 to run for governor, he went to work last year with his brother Phil in McCrory & Company, a private business consulting firm. He also joined two corporate boards.

At Charlotte-based Tree.com, the parent of LendingTree and other consumer finance sites, he earns $50,000 a year and received stock valued at up to $50,000, according to an annual report.

At Kewaunee Scientific Corporation, a Statesville firm that builds lab furniture, he stands to make more than $36,000 a year in retainers and fees.

McCrory said he will continue to pursue other interests, including politics. He has guest-hosted programs on WBT radio and has a long upcoming schedule of political speeches around the state.

The firm understood all that when it hired McCrory, Reigel said.

"Part of his value is being known for the things he's accomplished and what he may accomplish in the future," Reigel said. "We don't want to hold him back. We all understand that as he decides what he wants to do with his future, that's just part of the deal. We're not choosing sides on any particular thing. We're really saying, 'Here's a talented guy, he's been on a lot of sides of a lot of different issues and we think he's got some value to bring to the table.'"




Anthony Foxx Takes Job With Charlotte City Bus Maker



A fledgling Charlotte hybrid bus manufacturer which has done business with the city has a new in-house attorney: Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx.

Foxx started doing legal work for DesignLine International in March, when Foxx was an attorney with Hunton & Williams. Foxx said the bus maker asked him to become its attorney, and that he has been careful about any conflicts between his public office and private job.

Foxx said on Monday that DesignLine hasn't talked with him about lobbying other cities for the manufacturer, and lobbying isn't in his job description. Many of DesignLine's potential clients are governments, who might buy the buses for their airports or transit systems. The company has contracts with Baltimore and New York.

"That's not in the job description," said Foxx, who became the city's first Democratic mayor in 22 years earlier this month. "No one has talked to me about that."

Foxx said he'll be handling any litigation for the firm as well as personnel issues.

Foxx said he recused himself last spring when the Charlotte City Council had a vote concerning the bus maker. He said he has talked with Charlotte City Attorney Mac McCarley to make sure "it won't be an issue."

Charlotte's mayor is not a full-time position, and past mayors have had other jobs. Pat McCrory, Foxx's predecessor, worked as a manager at Duke Energy, though he worked a reduced schedule. McCrory quit his Duke job when he ran for governor in 2008.

Foxx said he worked a reduced schedule at Hunton & Williams since he was elected to council in 2005. Foxx said his new job will better fit with his schedule.

"There's no question that when you are practicing law in a law firm your production is tied to your time," Foxx said. He said his new job will place a premium on his judgment and skills.

"I have more flexibility over my day," he said.

Foxx has also supported some of the city's green-energy initiatives, and one of his first acts as mayor was to sign a U.S. Conference of Mayors climate-protection agreement.

Charlotte City Council member Edwin Peacock, a Republican, said he doesn't have a problem with Foxx's new job. But he said the mayor will have to be careful if DesignLine has business before the city.

Charlotte/Douglas International Airport has had two DesignLine hybrids for two years, and may buy additional ones from the same company if its receives grant funding to help pay for the higher purchase price.

Aviation director Jerry Orr said the DesignLine hybrids cost about $500,000 - more than $200,000 more than a regular diesel bus.

"If we get the grant, we get the buses," Orr said.

One of the Charlotte/Douglas buses is featured on the manufacturer's Web site. Orr reports to City Manager Curt Walton.

The Charlotte Area Transit System doesn't own any DesignLine buses but is also considering buying the firm's hybrids, if it receives grant funding.

DesignLine chief executive Brad Glosson and his father moved the company headquarters to Charlotte from New Zealand three years ago.

The company headquarters is a 100,000 square-foot plant in southwest Charlotte.

Glosson couldn't be reached for comment Monday.



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Sources: McClatchy Newspapers, Charlotte Observer, MSNBC, Morning Joe Show, CBR, Youtube, Google Maps