Staffing Shakeup at State Elections Board Brings Rutherford County Native Into Leadership

Leah Byers is among five appointments and promotions aimed at strengthening North Carolina’s election operations

North Carolina State Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes has announced a slate of leadership changes designed to reinforce key areas of election oversight and administration.

Leah Byers, a native of Rutherford County, has been appointed as the board’s new legislative liaison, where she will represent the agency in government affairs and policy discussions. Byers previously worked for Sen. Ralph Hise, chairman of the Senate Committees on Elections and Appropriations/Base Budget, and also served as a policy analyst at the John Locke Foundation. She holds degrees from N.C. State University and the University of Kentucky.

“Each of these new appointments have demonstrated a strong record of devoted service to the state and will bring a high level of knowledge in their respective areas,” Director Hayes said in a statement.

Along with Byers’ appointment, Hayes named Tim Hoegemeyer as general counsel and Jason Tyson as director of external affairs. Two internal promotions were also announced: Lindsey Wakely will serve as director of campaign finance, and Parker Holland was elevated to deputy director of election administration.

The changes, effective November 1, mark Hayes’s first major staff restructuring since taking office, aimed at strengthening legal, communications, and election administration functions across the board. Byers said on X that she is "excited to be a part of the team."