North Carolina State Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes has announced three new appointments to the board’s staff leadership positions, each effective Nov. 1.
Director Hayes has named Tim Hoegemeyer as the board’s general counsel. Hoegemeyer most recently served as deputy general counsel for both the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and to the State Board of Education under two state superintendents. He was general counsel in the Office of the State Auditor for over 12 years, serving under two administrations.
A former artillery officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, Hoegemeyer holds a law degree from Campbell University, a master’s in public administration from N.C. State University and an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University.
Jason Tyson has been appointed as the director of external affairs, overseeing the SBOE’s external, internal, and intergovernmental communications. Tyson previously served as director of communications in the N.C. Department of Insurance. He has also held communications-related positions in the UNC System office, at the N.C. Department of Labor under Commissioner Cherie Berry, and in the Governor’s Office under Gov. Pat McCrory.
He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington and holds a master’s degree from Wake Forest University.
Leah Byers has been named legislative liaison to the board and will serve as a representative for government affairs. Byers previously worked in the office of Sen. Ralph Hise, the chairman of the Senate Committees on Elections and Appropriations/Base Budget, and has experience in public policy at the John Locke Foundation.
A native of Rutherford County, she is a graduate of N.C. State University and holds a master’s in public administration from the University of Kentucky.
“Each of these new appointments have demonstrated a strong record of devoted service to the state and will bring a high level of knowledge in their respective areas,” Director Hayes said.
Director Hayes also announced two internal promotions at SBOE.
Lindsey Wakely, who previously served as deputy general counsel to the board, has been named director of campaign finance and will also serve as the campaign finance attorney. Wakely has served at SBOE for over seven years.
Parker Holland, who previously served the board as election administration manager, has been named as deputy director of election administration. Holland began in county election administration in 2014 before moving over to the state board in 2020.