RALEIGH — Governor-elect Roy Cooper today named three senior leaders as his first appointees since his election as governor. Kristi Jones will be Cooper’s chief of staff. Ken Eudy will be senior advisor to the governor and Brad Adcock will serve as Cooper’s legislative director.

Jones has served as Cooper’s chief of staff in the N.C. Department of Justice for the past 12 years. She is a Wilson native who also served in the administration of Gov. Jim Hunt. She will be the first African-American woman to serve as a N.C. governor’s chief of staff.

Eudy worked as a N.C. political reporter and later founded Capstrat, a public relations and advertising agency he sold to Omnicom in 2012. Eudy is a native of Oakboro in Stanly County.

Adcock is a veteran lobbyist who worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina for three decades. Adcock, a native of Roxboro in Person County, is former chair of the board of trustees at Appalachian State University. He also served on the UNC Board of Governors.

“We have a short transition period and we need a team who can quickly navigate the learning curve,” Cooper said in a press release. “Kristi Jones, Ken Eudy and Brad Adcock share my vision for making North Carolina once again among the most admired states.

“Kristi simply gets things done,” Cooper said. “We’ve worked together for a long time. She is tenacious about doing the right thing.

“Ken Eudy combines strategy and creativity as well as anyone,” Cooper said. “His private-sector experience and understanding of North Carolina will help in a lot of different areas.

“We’re fortunate to have Brad Adcock because few people know their way around the Legislative Building better than he does. He’s a strong advocate and he’s committed to building a North Carolina that works for everyone.”

Other Cooper Administration senior staff and cabinet officers will be announced soon. Cooper will be sworn in January 1. The inauguration is January 7.