RALEIGH — North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger’s chief of staff was named Thursday as CEO of the parent company of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes.
Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon announced the hiring of Brian Fork, who has worked for Berger since 2018 and as his chief of staff since late 2020.
Fork, a Raleigh native and previous private-practice attorney, will oversee all business units of Hurricanes Holdings LLC, including the team, PNC Arena and the mixed-use real estate development plans surrounding the venue, a Hurricanes news release said. The development also includes a planned sportsbook.
As chief of staff, Fork has been heavily involved in the development of key legislation related to the state budget, energy production and health care reform, the Hurricanes said.
“Brian has a proven track record of negotiating, making deals, and finding solutions,” Dundon said in the release. “We want to set the standard in sports and entertainment, and Brian has the background to help us reach that goal.”
Fork’s hiring comes a few days after Dundon named investment firm president Doug Warf as Hurricanes Holdings president.
The Hurricanes’ busy offseason also included the hiring of Eric Tulsky as general manager. The three hirings fill a void left by the departure of longtime president and GM Don Waddell, who left for Columbus.
In a separate news release, Berger praised Fork: “His ability to build trusting relationships with legislators and staff members in the General Assembly is a model for us all to emulate.”
Berger will announce a new chief of staff in the coming weeks, his office said.
