Six names offered for NC transportation board

RALEIGH -- Gov. Beverly Perdue has offered six names to serve on a North Carolina Board of Transportation that's focused now more on policy and less on individual projects. Perdue's office said the names have been submitted to legislative leaders, which is required before they can serve. The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Friday they should be seated at the board's August meeting. Her choices are Charles Watts of Durham; Charlotte developer John Collett; retired Army general Hugh Overholt of New Bern, Kinston businessman Leigh McNairy; Winston-Salem investor Ralph Womble; and real estate executive Wanda Proffitt. Perdue ordered in January that the transportation board cede its authority to award highway construction projects to Transportation Secretary Gene Conti and focus more on road-building policy issues. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)