Ward and Smith, P.A. is pleased to announce that one of its attorneys, James W. Norment, was appointed this month by Governor Beverly Perdue to the North Carolina Advisory Commission of Military Affairs. Mr. Norment takes a seat once held by Ward and Smith attorney, retired Major General Hugh R. Overholt, who now serves on the state Board of Transportation.
In his new role, Mr. Norment will be part of a 30-member commission that advises the Governor and the North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary on ways to strengthen the state's relationship with the military. The commission also will work to protect North Carolina's military installations from potential downsizing efforts and will develop a strategy to support long-term prosperity in the military. As Mr. Norment acknowledged, "The future of the bases is tremendously important to the economic future of the state. Cherry Point, in particular, is an economic engine for our region. We have to make sure those F-35s are funded and get here sooner rather than later. We have to make sure that Fleet Readiness Center East gets the support that it needs. It's not only a matter of national security, which we all want to support; it also is a matter of economic vitality for the region."
Mr. Norment is leader of Ward and Smith's Government Relations Practice Group. His practice experience encompasses a variety of business law matters that relate to vendor contracts, government contracts, and government relations. Mr. Norment regularly works with municipalities and governmental bodies and is familiar with the unique legal issues facing governmental entities. He represents clients in federal and state legislative efforts and in connection with North Carolina and federal government contracts, procurement, and related disputes.
