RALEIGH – A retired general who served in two high-profile posts in North Carolina was chosen by President Donald Trump to a high-ranking position within the Pentagon. Tony Tata, who served as Wake County Schools Superintendent and later as the N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary in Gov. Pat McCrory’s administration, would become the new policy chief if confirmed by the Senate.
A Politico story about the choice said Tata was chosen after Defense Secretary Mark Esper expressed reservations about another candidate for the job. “He’s more affable and has done a lot of different things since leaving active duty,” said an administration official on why Tata was chosen over retired Army officer Douglas MacGregor.
The Senate calendar currently has 44 nominations pending a floor vote and four department of defense nominations pending in the Senate Armed Services committee. It is unclear when Tata’s nomination will be heard in that committee.
Tata retired from the Army in 2008.
