RALEIGH – A former journalist and editor is making a leap from the newsroom to the North Carolina Pork Council as CEO effective Nov. 14.

Andy Curliss

Andy Curliss spent 20 years at The News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina, before leaving the newspaper in 2015 to lead the public affairs and strategic communications of Gelia, a marketing communications agency with offices in Cary, North Carolina. Curliss succeeds Deborah Johnson, who announced her departure from the council after 11 years of service.

“Andy has the talent and expertise to help us highlight the important contributions of the pork industry and our dedicated farmers,” said Stephen Williamson, chairman of the NC Pork Council board of directors. “He brings a unique perspective and valuable skill set that will benefit our organization.”

According to The News & Observer, the last major project Curliss produced was a series of articles in 2014 about the changing role of North Carolina meat exports in the global economy.

“I will be proud to represent an industry that is so vital to North Carolina’s economy,” Curliss said in a statement. “I look forward to working alongside the farmers and production companies who are responsible for bringing bacon, barbecue and other popular pork products into our kitchens and dining rooms.”

Curliss is a graduate of the Univ. of Toledo in Ohio. He currently is pursuing an MBA at East Carolina Univ. in Greenville.