Jim Stephenson

Jim Stephenson, Policy Director and legislative lobbyist with the North Carolina Coastal Federation (NCCF), died early Thursday, May 28, of a heart attack. He was 57. Born in Baltimore, Jim graduated from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. He served as a cabinet level advisor to the late former Governor Robert Casey. In 1997 Jim and his wife Sally Anger moved to North Carolina when he became executive director of the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation. Jim joined NCCF in 1999 and distinguished himself as an effective lobbyist. He worked diligently behind the scenes at the N.C. General Assembly to help pass coastal environmental bills including effective stormwater rules, banning giant landfills and restoring oyster habitat. Bland Simpson, a board member for NC Coastal Federation, credits Jim’s legislative successes to “integrity and keen intelligence, his forthrightness, and his great convivial spirit and easygoing manner.” Jim is survived by his wife of 18 years, Sally Anger of Morehead City; mother-in-law, Elizabeth Skulstad of Beaufort; and sister, Jane S. Heill and her husband, Paul of Baltimore, MD. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held in Morehead City, NC on June 20, 2009. Information will be posted at www.sallyanger.blogspot.com as it becomes available. Friends are also encouraged to share their memories of Jim on the blog. Memorial contributions may be made in Jim's name to the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust, 131 Racine Drive, Suite 101, Wilmington, NC 28403.