Tata brings Cris Mulder to NCDOT, another hire from Wake schools

Cris Mulder, chief of family and community engagement for Wake County schools, will join her former boss at the state Department of Transportation as deputy secretary for internal and external affairs.

“We are thrilled to announce this appointment," Transportation Secretary Tony Tata said in a news release Tuesday night. "Cris will be a tremendous asset to our department and the State of North Carolina as we work to better communicate with our citizens and improve customer service. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the private and public sectors and a unique blend of marketing and community engagement skills.”

It's the latest announcement in a busy week of comings and goings at NCDOT, and Tata's second high-level hire from Wake schools. (2/21/13 update: New DMV registration enforcer hustles to update an expired registration".)

Mulder starts work March 11, moving into the job created by former DOT Secretary Gene Conti for Ted Vaden, a former News & Observer editor. The job has been empty since Vaden's retirement last fall. She will oversee DOT communications, marketing and community outreach.

Here's what Tata's news release says about Mulder:

"Mulder currently serves as the Chief of Family and Community Engagement, overseeing all communication and outreach for the Wake County Public School System. She launched the Office of Family and Community Engagement, transforming the way the school district interacts with and informs families and the public. Mulder led numerous campaigns including large-scale, comprehensive communication, parent academies, and community outreach efforts.

"A skilled and experienced communications and marketing leader, Mulder spent nearly 15 years working in corporate leadership roles for companies including Microsoft, Sony Ericsson, AT&T Wireless, VIF International Education and the Research Triangle Park Foundation. She is a graduate of the University of Oregon."