RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - On Tuesday he was the chief deputy secretary of North Carolina's Transporation Department, but on Wednesday, Nick Tennyson woke up as the interm Secretary.

Tennyson takes the helm of the agency following Secretary Tony Tata's resignation on Monday. A statement from the governor's office says Tata left to have more time for personal pursuits and family.

Tata is a best-selling author of political thrillers.

Tennyson has been responsible for providing oversight and integration across all operational and support functions of the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

He is a Navy veteran with extensive experience in the home building industry. Before joining NCDOT, he was executive vice-president for the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties. He was also mayor of Durham.