Controller's Biography
In April 2008, Governor Michael F. Easley nominated David T. McCoy for the position of State Controller. The nomination was unanimously approved by the North Carolina General Assembly and McCoy assumed his responsibilities as the fifth Controller in North Carolina history on September 1, 2008.
McCoy had served as the Director of the Office of State Budget and Management and Secretary of the North Carolina Council of State.
Previously he served as North Carolina’s Secretary of Transportation. Before joining the Department of Transportation, McCoy was Governor James B. Hunt’s Deputy Chief of Staff.
McCoy also served as the Chief Deputy Secretary of Administration and as the department’s General Counsel. During his career in state government, McCoy has worked for three different Governors crossing political parties.
Before joining state government, McCoy was on the faculty and staff at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since 1985, he has continued to serve as an adjunct assistant professor teaching various courses and providing community service.
He received his JD from the University of North Carolina School of Law, his MPH from the University of North Carolina School of Public Health, and his M.Ed. and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Georgia. He participated in executive training at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, The Council of State Government’s Toll Fellows’ Program, and the Center for Creative Leadership.
McCoy is a member of the National Association of State Budget Officers’ Executive Committee, North Carolina Federal Tax Reform Allocation Committee, North Carolina Economic Investment Committee, North Carolina Debt Affordability Advisory Committee, North Carolina Council of Internal Auditing, and has served as President of the Southern Association of Highway and Transportation Officials and on the Board of the American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials.
He is admitted to practice in the North Carolina General Courts of Justice and the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina.
McCoy was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for public service and was selected by the Council of State Governments as a Henry Toll Fellow. He has been recognized by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Distinguished Graduate School Alumnus, is a member of UNC’s Order of the Golden Fleece, and was the recipient of the American Legion’s School Award.
He lives with his wife Dr. Robin McCoy, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction with the Chatham County School System, and their daughters, Meredith, and Melissa in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.