N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143B-426.37
The Governor shall submit the name of the person to be appointed, for confirmation by the General Assembly, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by May 1 of the year in which the State Controller is to be appointed. If the Governor does not submit the name by that date, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall submit a name to the General Assembly for confirmation.
In case of death, incapacity, resignation, removal by the Governor for cause, or vacancy for any other reason in the Office of State Controller prior to the expiration of the term of office while the General Assembly is in session, the Governor shall submit the name of a successor to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives within four weeks after the vacancy occurs. If the Governor does not do so, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall submit a name to the General Assembly for confirmation.
In case of death, incapacity, resignation, removal by the Governor for cause, or vacancy for any other reason in the Office of State Controller prior to the expiration of the term of office while the General Assembly is not in session, the Governor shall appoint a State Controller to serve on an interim basis pending confirmation by the General Assembly.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143B-426.37