West Wake News

State Superintendent Mo Green has announced the appointment of two new members to the Government Affairs team at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). Geoff Coltrane will take on the role of Senior Director of Government Affairs and Strategy, while Elizabeth Yelverton will serve as a legislative liaison. Both appointees will assist in legislative efforts for the State Board of Education.

“I’m excited that Geoff and Elizabeth are joining the Department of Public Instruction,” stated Green. “Their combined wealth of experience in North Carolina state government and education will be invaluable as we work to uplift public education in North Carolina.”

Coltrane brings with him experience from his previous position as Deputy Public Policy Director and Senior Education Advisor under former Governor Roy Cooper. In this capacity, he provided counsel on K-12 and postsecondary education policy issues, acting as a key liaison to various educational bodies including the State Board of Education and NC Community College System. His background also includes roles with the NC School of Science and Mathematics, the Hunt Institute, and five years teaching at Forest View Elementary School in Durham. He holds a master’s degree in public policy from Duke University alongside bachelor's degrees in elementary education and history from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Yelverton joins NCDPI from her prior role with the North Carolina Association of School Administrators, where she managed legal affairs and policy. Her experience includes representing K-12 public school administrators during meetings with governmental entities such as the NC General Assembly. She has also worked within the NC General Assembly as a senate intern and research assistant. Yelverton is a licensed attorney with a juris doctorate from Campbell University and holds a bachelor’s degree in English from NC State University.

Both Coltrane and Yelverton are set to begin their roles at NCDPI on January 21.