Legislative Affairs Director Rita Harris
Rita Harris, Legislative Affairs Director, joined the N.C. Department of Commerce in 2008 and serves as the liaison and advocates for the Department’s initiatives. She brings more than 30 years experience in government and business with a background in public policy and legislative affairs at both the state and federal level.
She most recently served as the Government Relations Director to the N.C. State Ports Authority, an enterprise agency under the Department of Commerce to advocate for the Authority’s $265 million expansion program initiatives in Washington, D.C., and with the General Assembly in Raleigh.
Prior to her service with the N.C. Ports, Harris served in the N.C. General Assembly as special assistant for the budget in the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives, staff assistant to the House Appropriations Committee and as legislative assistant to Rep. Thomas C. Hardaway.
In Washington, D.C., Harris worked on Capitol Hill as administrative assistant and chief clerk to House Rules Committee, as financial manager for the House Committee on Aging and staff assistant to Sen. Floyd Haskell. She also was an executive assistant at Patton Boggs, one of the nation’s leading public-policy law firms.
Her professional development includes a Leadership N.C. certificate of achievement. Over the years, she has been engaged in various community service activities such as the Look Good, Feel Better Program sponsored by the American Cancer Society and currently as a board member on the 4-H Foundation Board. She is a native of Halifax County.
Harris can be reached at (919) 715-2785 or at rharris@nccommerce.com.