RALEIGH – State Transportation Secretary Tony Tata is resigning effective immediately to, according to a statement form the governor’s office to “focus on personal and family matters in addition to pursuing his passion as an author.”

“Tony Tata has been a valuable partner in our efforts to reform and modernize North Carolina’s transportation system,” Governor  Pat McCrory said. “His dedication to the people of North Carolina is in keeping with his long career of service to his community, state and country.”

Prior to coming to the DOT, Tata held leadership positions in public education and retired from the United States Army as a brigadier general. During his military service, Tata was awarded the Bronze Star, which is bestowed for heroic or meritorious achievement.

He was hired by a Republican majority Wake County School Board, but then was fired when the board switched to a Democratic Majority. He had also served as a top assistant in the Washington, DC school system.

Tata’s resignation takes effect today. Chief Deputy Secretary Nick Tennyson will serve as Acting Transportation Secretary. As chief deputy, Tennyson oversees DOT operational and support functions. Tennyson has a long a distinguished career in civic which includes serving as Mayor of Durham as well as serving with the Durham –Chapel Hill – Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization.

During Tata’s tenure he helped formulate and implement Governor McCrory’s Strategic Mobility Formula, which takes the politics out of road building and funds projects based on congestion relief, safety improvements and potential for long-term job creation.

Tata also helped develop Governor McCrory’s 25-Year Transportation Vision, the state’s first comprehensive plan in many decades to integrate roads, airports, rail and sea ports. He helped develop the transportation projects included in the Connect NC bond proposal.

Another major accomplishment was reaching a legal settlement that will allow for the replacement of the Bonner Bridge over the Oregon Inlet.