RALEIGH -- Governor Pat McCrory has appointed the new Chairman for the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs.  Furnie Lambert of Robeson County was sworn-in as chairman.

Lambert is a senior member of the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs and has served as a representative for the Lumbee Tribe since 2004. He also serves as Chairman of the Veterans and Indian Land Trust Committees.

Lambert retired from the U.S. Marines with the rank of Master Gunnery Sgt. after 28 years of service. At the local level, Lambert heads-up the Lumbee Warriors Association and has posted colors for numerous events and conferences.

He succeeds Ruth Revels, who passed away in March.  She had been appointed by Governor McCrory as Chairwoman of the Commission in September 2013.