N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143A-9
Any provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding, and subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the State of North Carolina, the head of a principal department, except those departments headed by elected officials who are constitutional officers, shall be appointed by the Governor and serve at his pleasure.
The head of a principal department shall appoint the chief deputy or chief assistant and such chief deputy or chief assistant shall be subject to the North Carolina Human Resources Act. Except where appointment by the Governor is prescribed by existing statute, the head of the principal department shall appoint the administrative head of each transferred agency and, subject to the provisions of the North Carolina Human Resources Act, appoint all employees of each division, section or other unit under a principal department.
In establishing the position of secretary, and the supporting staff for the principal departments, the cost of such staff positions will be met insofar as possible by utilizing existing positions or funds available from vacant positions within agencies assigned to the principal departments.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143A-9