PERSON: Anthony Tata

Brigadier General Anthony J. Tata, also known as Tony Tata and A.J. Tata, is the Secretary of Transportation of the U.S. State of North Carolina. General Tata served in the United States Army for twenty-eight years before retiring in 2009. He is also an American novelist whose subject matter focuses on military life. Tata is most known for the fictional Threat Series. He is a former brigadier general in the United States Army, having served for 28 years in the military before retiring in 2009. From 2006-2007 he was Deputy Commanding General of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. General Tata served two tours of duty at Fort Bragg in the 82nd Airborne Division. He also was brigade commander in the 101st Airborne Division and Deputy Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division.<br> Among his many accomplishments, Tata was awarded the Combat Action Badge and Bronze Star. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army’s Ranger School. In January 2013, North Carolina governor Pat McCrory appointed Tata as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation. As Secretary of Transportation, he is also a member of the North Carolina Cabinet. Previously, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of the District of Columbia Public Schools (2009-2010) and Superintendent of the Wake County Public School System (2010-2012).