Taylor Batten, editorial page editor at The Charlotte Observer, recently talked to Sharon Decker, North Carolina's new Commerce secretary, about her unconventional background.

Here's his piece:

You never know what Sharon Decker will do next. Then again, neither does she.

Gov. Pat McCrory’s selection for secretary of commerce, a divinity student bound for a university chaplain job, would be beyond unusual – if it were anyone but Decker. Given this 55-year-old’s unconventional career path, though, the unpredictable has become expected.

McCrory’s invitation has turned Decker’s life upside down and she now finds herself in a crucial role: leading the Commerce Department and creating jobs in the state with the nation’s 5th-highest unemployment rate. What, you may ask, does a former small-town pastor know about that?

Decker spent 17 years at what was then Duke Power and became its first female vice president. At age 39 she left for a vastly different role and one she thought she would keep forever: Leading the Lynnwood Foundation in Charlotte and its Lee Leadership Institute. Three years, one Charlotte Chamber chairmanship and one Charlotte Woman of the Year Award later, another change: She moved to tiny Rutherfordton to lead Doncaster, a women’s apparel line with $100 million in annual revenues.

Six years later, she zigged once more, leaving Doncaster and forming The Tapestry Group, a ministry for women. She also served as a part-time pastor at two rural churches and studied for her master’s in divinity from Gardner Webb. By the time McCrory called in December, Decker was preparing to move this year to Charlottesville, Va., to be a chaplain at UVA.

I talked with Decker last week about her career moves, what drives her and what her plans are for boosting North Carolina’s economy. Here are highlights of that conversation:

LS Tractor, which announced in April 2009 that it would open a distribution and manufacturing facility in Nash County, has terminated its incentives grant with the state.

N.C. Commerce Department official approved the termination during a meeting this afternoon.

The company's incentives deal with the state called for it to create 134 new jobs over five years and invest nearly $14 million. It was eligible to receive as much as $995,000 if it met hiring and investment goals.

But the company has informed the state that it doesn't expect to meet those goals. LS Tractor currently has 23 employees and has received $14,511 from the state.

It will get to keep that money as it partially met the requirement of the first year of its grant by creating 20 out of a required 22 jobs.

LS Tractor USA is a subsidiary of LS Mtron LTd., a South Korean heavy equipment manufacturer.  

The Nash County facility, which is the company's U.S. headquarters, makes high-end compact tractors and accessories for the machines.

As the state House and Senate wrap up with a marathon session today, a pair of incentives bills that could draw big business investment to North Carolina remain a key priority for leaders.

Two bills are on the agenda that cover a host of incentives programs. The rules require votes on such bills to be taken on separate days, so both bills are expected to get a final vote after midnight.

The bills come amid rumors that several major companies are looking to invest in North Carolina.

Though state officials refuse to name names thus far, companies including Microsoft are believed to be considering opening new facilities within the state.

Keith Crisco, secretary of commerce, told members of the state House Tuesday that the projects covered by the bills represent potential investments worth up to $2 billion and 1,200 jobs.