— Gov. Roy Cooper has turned to a familiar name for his budget director.

Charlie Perusse, who served as state budget director under former Gov. Bev Perdue, will fill the role in Cooper's administration as director of the Office of State Budget and Management. Perusse, who also has been a lead fiscal analyst for the General Assembly, has served as Chief Operating Officer for the University of North Carolina system for the last five-plus years.

Cooper also said Monday that he is bringing three people whom he worked with as attorney general to serve in senior roles in his administration:

Barbara Gibson will direct the Office of State Human Resources. She has led the state Department of Justice Human Resources Department for 16 years.

William McKinney will serve as the governor's legal counsel. He served as special counsel to Cooper in the Attorney General’s Office.

Noelle Talley will be press secretary. She had been public information officer for the Department of Justice.

"We are putting together a deeply talented team, and I’m excited that these experienced leaders with proven results will help me move our state forward," Cooper said in a statement.

Cooper still hasn't nominated anyone as a cabinet secretary. Under a new state law, the state Senate will get to vet all nominees before they take office.