About the Office of State Treasurer

The Department of the State Treasurer serves the people of North Carolina through a variety of functions related to the financial health of the state and its citizenry. State Treasurer Janet Cowell serves as the state’s banker and chief investment officer, and, as such, she is responsible for more than $67 billion in assets.

The Department administers the public employee retirement systems for more than 820,000 North Carolinians, as well as the 401K and 457 plans for public employees. The Department provides fiscal assistance and expertise to local governmental units by assisting them in the sale of local government debt obligations and in maintaining good budgeting, accounting, reporting, and other fiscal procedures. It also administers NC Cash, the unclaimed property database that holds nearly than $500 million.

The Department of the State Treasurer is made up of approximately 345 employees, and is composed of the following divisions:

  • Retirement Systems
  • Unclaimed Property & Escheats
  • State & Local Government
  • Financial Operations
  • Investment Management
  • Information Technology

Mission Statement

To serve as the state's banker and chief investment officer, and To administer the public employee retirement systems and other employee benefit plans for public employees which are assigned to the department, and

To assist units of local government in the state in maintaining strong fiscal health, and

To administer the escheat and abandoned property program.


Chief of Staff      Ron Ottavio
General Counsel/Senior Policy Advisor Jay Chaudhuri
Director of Communications/Policy Advisor Melissa Waller
Legislative Liaison Anthony Solari
Director of Financial Literacy Derwin Dubose
Executive Assistant Stephanie Scott
Special Assistant to Treasurer Cowell Nick Byrne
Deputy Director of Communications Heather J. Franco
Assistant General Counsel Kara Petteway
Administrative Assistant Korey Stanton

Department of State Treasurer Intern Program
Learn more about 2010 Summer Intern Program.