SBI Director R.E. “Chip” Hawley
Roger "Chip" Hawley was confirmed as the Director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in November 2024. Before that, he served as the Chief of the State Capitol Police, a position he had held since December 2018, having joined the force as deputy chief nine months earlier. Hawley has a long history of service, spending 33 years with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, where he rose to the rank of major in both the Patrol Division and the Criminal Investigative Division.
Hawley earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Liberty University. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Administrative Officers Management Program and has obtained various specialized law enforcement certifications, totaling over 3,000 hours of training. In 2001, he was honored as the Wake County Sheriff’s Officer of the Year, and in 2021, he received the Badge of Excellence Award from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.
Hawley serves in several important executive roles, including the North Carolina State Emergency Response Commission, the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, and the Governor’s Advisory Council for Student Safety and Well-Being. He is also an Executive Board member and the current President of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, as well as an Executive Board member of the North Carolina Police Executive Association. Furthermore, he is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA).
Chief of Staff - Brent Culbertson
Brent Culbertson returned to the SBI as Chief of Staff in November of 2024, bringing decades of experience. After retiring from the SBI as a Special Agent in Charge in 2023, he went on to serve as Assistant Director of Training and Safety for the NC Center for Safer Schools.
Culbertson began his career in law enforcement with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department as a patrol officer in 1995. He joined the SBI in 1997 as a special agent coordinating undercover drug operations. He also served as a fugitive task force agent helping to apprehend habitual felons in the western part of the state.
In 2008, Culbertson was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge overseeing drug initiatives for western North Carolina. He was promoted to Special Agent in Charge of the SBI’s Western District in 2013. In 2015, he was named Assistant Director over the SBI’s field operations. Over the years, Culbertson rose through the ranks, holding other key roles including SAC over the Technical Services Unit and Legislative Liaison.
As the Chief of Staff, Culbertson is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the SBI.
Assistant Director - Kelly Page
Kelly Page was named Assistant Director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in January of 2019.
Page graduated from North Carolina State University Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry in 1998.
Page began her law enforcement career with the SBI in 2001. Her first assignment was the Crime Lab where she was a Forensic Drug Chemist from 2001 to 2005. From 2005 to 2015, she was assigned to the Special Services Unit where she worked a variety of drug cases with an emphasis on clandestine labs. In 2015, Page was promoted to ASAC over the Clandestine Laboratory Response Unit where she oversaw the state’s response to clandestine labs. She has worked extensively on developing and providing advanced drug training on a variety of topics. In addition, she is an accomplished trainer and has provided expert testimony in both state and federal courts. Page has helped shape legislation and SBI policies for the past several years. She was also an original member of the SBI fugitive tracking program. In 2005, she was awarded both the North Carolina Narcotic Enforcement Officer’s Association Special Award of Honor and the International Narcotic Officers Association Special Award of Honor. Page is well known for her attention to detail and analytical skills.
As Assitant Director, Page oversees the Operations Division.
Assistant Director - Kevin Tabron
Kevin Tabron was named Assistant Director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in March of 2021.
Tabron graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice. He began his law enforcement career with the Wilmington Police Department in January of 1999, where he worked patrol, the street team unit, and the narcotics division.
In 2006, Tabron graduated from the 36th SBI Special Agent Academy and was assigned to the Coastal District. During that time, he worked drug and criminal investigations. In 2008, he was assigned to the FBI Safe Streets Task Force where he assisted with investigating violent gang members and drug traffickers. As part of Wilmington Safe Streets, Tabron and his colleagues were awarded the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) case of the year for operation “Don Quixote.” In 2013, Tabron was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Coastal District. During that time, he conducted public corruption and officer-involved shooting investigations. Tabron was later promoted to Special Agent in Charge of the Coastal District in 2018.
As Assistant Director, Tabron oversees the Technology Division.
Assistant Director - Ernest Darroch
Ernest Darroch was named Assistant Director at the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in August of 2024.
Darroch graduated from Mount Olive College with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He later received his master’s degree in justice administration from Methodist University.
Darroch served in the United States Marine Corps and after being honorably discharged in 2003, he began his law enforcement career in 2004 with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office where he served as a Patrol Officer and Narcotics K-9 Handler.
In 2006, Darroch joined the SBI and graduated from the 36
th Academy. He worked in field operations, primarily specializing in homicide investigations. In 2013, he was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Coastal District. Darroch has been a member of the SBI’s Special Response Team since 2008, where he has served as the team Firearms Instructor, CQB Instructor, Less Lethal Instructor, Squad Leader, and Assistant Team Leader. He was promoted to Team Commander in 2018. In 2020, Darroch was promoted to Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of Special Services overseeing the Special Response Team, Bomb Squad, K9 Program, Crisis Negotiators, Unmanned Ariel Systems, and the Air Wing. While serving as the SAC of Special Services, Darroch successfully managed numerous high-risk operations across the state. He is a graduate of the SBI Management Program, West Point Leadership Program, and Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP).
As Assistant Director, Darroch will oversee the Special Services Division.
Assistant Director - Eric Frey
Eric Frey was named Assistant Director at the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in August of 2024.
Frey graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a major in Psychology and an emphasis in biological sciences in 1998. He then attended Lehigh University and earned his master’s degree in psychology in 2002. Frey started his law enforcement career with the Wilmington Police Department in 2005 and served as a patrol officer, FTO, and assisted with background investigations.
In 2008, Frey was hired by the SBI and attended the 37
th Academy. He was assigned to the Northern Piedmont District as a criminal and drug agent. Frey was selected as a member of the Special Response Team in 2011 and later served as Sniper Coordinator from 2014-2018. In 2016, he was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) for the Northern Piedmont District and also served as the district training coordinator.
In 2019, Frey was asked to assist the Training Section as a part-time training coordinator for the 49
th Academy. That led to Frey being temporarily reassigned to the Training Section as the full-time academy coordinator for the 50
th Academy in 2020. That year, he was named ASAC of the Training Section. Frey received the Bruce E. Black Training Award in 2019 for exemplary service to the Training Section and was awarded the DPS Badge of Excellence for Innovation and Efficiency in 2020. He was promoted to Special Agent in Charge of the Training Section in 2021. In January of 2024, Frey was named Interim Human Resources Director.
As Assistant Director, Frey will oversee the Field Operations Division.
Assistant Director - Kellie Hodges
Kellie Hodges was named Assistant Director at the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in August of 2024.
Hodges graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in criminal justice. She later earned her Master of Criminal Justice Administration from Methodist University.
Hodges began her law enforcement career in 2002 with the SBI, completing the 30
th Special Agent Academy. With diverse experience in field and specialized operations, Hodges has served as a crime scene specialist, criminal agent, drug agent, and Clan Lab Site Safety Officer. She has worked on a variety of cases, including OCEDTF investigations, homicides, and public corruption. Hodges served as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge in the Coastal District before being promoted to Special Agent in Charge of Special Programs in March of 2021. In that role, she supervised the Arson and Crime Scene programs, the Behavioral Threat Assessment (BeTA) Unit, and the creation of a full-time Human Trafficking Unit. Hodges is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) program.
As Assistant Director, Hodges will oversee Records Management and the Financial and Computer Crimes Divisions.
Assistant Director - Steven Holmes
Steven Holmes was named Assistant Director at the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in August of 2024.
Holmes graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1999. In 2004, he completed the SBI’s Basic Law Enforcement Training and the 32
nd Special Agent Academy. As a Special Agent assigned to the Southern Piedmont District, Holmes served primarily in Rowan County, where he was awarded several accolades for his collaboration in criminal investigations. During his time in the Southern Piedmont District, he earned a master’s degree from Methodist University, became an Adjunct Instructor at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, and received a promotion to Assistant Special Agent in Charge. In 2018, Holmes transferred to North Carolina’s Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAAC), where he collaborated with and supervised investigators and analysts from various local, state, and federal agencies and national law enforcement partners. While assigned to the ISAAC, Holmes served as Interim Special Agent in Charge before being promoted to Special Agent in Charge of the state’s fusion center.
As Assistant Director, Holmes will oversee the Information and Intelligence Division.
General Counsel - Joseph "Jody" Newsome
Joseph “Jody” Newsome was named General Counsel at the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in May of 2024. Prior to joining the SBI, Newsome served as Associate General Counsel at East Carolina University (ECU) where he was the primary legal advisor for athletics, research, purchasing, real property, and clinical trials. He also managed employment-related litigation and federal research compliance investigations.
Before his time at ECU, Newsome served as a Special Deputy Attorney General with the North Carolina Department of Justice where he represented the Retirement Systems Division of the State Treasurer’s Office. He represented TSERS, the NC Disability Plan, and the State Health Plan in litigation. Prior to that role, Newsome represented the University of North Carolina System for the Attorney General’s Office, litigating Title VII, Title IX, whistleblower, and employment law actions.
Before Newsome began his state government service, he was a partner with a Raleigh law firm, where he focused his practice on commercial litigation, election law, campaign finance compliance, and ethics law compliance. He previously clerked at the North Carolina Supreme Court and the North Carolina Court of Appeals.
Newsome grew up in Chadbourn, North Carolina, the son of a retired Coast Guard officer and a schoolteacher. He received his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his law degree from Wake Forest University. Between the two degrees, Newsome completed BLET training, where he received the top driver and “Top Cop” awards and worked briefly for the Bladenboro Police Department before heading off to law school.
Deputy General Counsel - Bryan Nichols
Bryan Nichols was named Deputy General Counsel at the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in February of 2024. As Deputy General Counsel, Nichols works alongside our General Counsel Joseph “Jody” Newsome representing and advising the SBI and executive team on legal matters.
Prior to joining the SBI, Nichols served as a Special Deputy Attorney General at the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ). At NCDOJ, he represented the SBI and SBI employees in litigation in federal, administrative, and state courts. He also represented other state law enforcement agencies. In addition, Nichols handled criminal appeals, employment matters, constitutional challenges, and various other areas of law while at NCDOJ.
Before his time at NCDOJ, Nichols was in private practice where he represented individuals and entities across the state in civil and criminal litigation. He brings extensive experience working with law enforcement as a trial attorney and litigator.
Nichols grew up in North Carolina near Wake Forest and has traveled extensively throughout North Carolina and beyond. He earned his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and his law degree from Campbell University.
Public Information Director - Chad Flowers
Chad Flowers was named Public Information Officer for the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in January 2025. Flowers is a native North Carolinian who grew up in Four Oaks in Johnston County. After graduating from high school, he attended and received his bachelor of arts in communications degree from Campbell University.
Flowers comes to the SBI after a 30-plus-year career in TV news. He has held many positions, including editor, chief editor, producer, reporter, and photographer during his tenure. Chad has traveled the world, covering most of the major events in the last three decades. He has been embedded with the US military during wars, interviewed presidents, documented medical needs in Africa, photographed hundreds of natural disasters, and shared stories of everyday citizens. He is an award-winning journalist with multiple EMMY awards, an Edward R. Murrow award, a Gabriel Award, and numerous RTNDA awards. Chad brings a wealth of knowledge surrounding law enforcement, the criminal justice system, legislative issues, and the North Carolina government.
As Public Information Officer, Chad will direct internal and external communications and disseminate information about SBI investigations.
IT Director - Patrick Blalock
Patrick Blalock was named IT Director at the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in June of 2021 where he collaborates closely with the executive team to advise on strategic technology initiatives.
With over 30 years of experience in IT across both the private and public sectors, Blalock’s expertise spans technical and leadership roles. His career includes positions at Revlon Cosmetics, Carolina Power and Light, and various IT leadership roles within North Carolina state agencies, including serving as the IT Director for Solutions Design, CIO for the Department of Administration and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs while serving at the North Carolina Department of Information Technology.
Blalock holds a bachelor’s degree in the Management of Information Systems from the University of Virginia's College at Wise. He has also earned several certifications, including Certified Government Chief Information Officer, Certified Public Manager, The Open Group Architecture Framework 9, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. His career reflects a dedication to leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency and support critical public services.
Chief Financial Officer - Marsha Overby
Marsha Overby joined the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation as Chief Financial Officer in November of 2024. Prior to joining the SBI, Overby served as the Lead Budget Execution Analyst at the Office of State Budget Management (OSBM) covering justice and public safety as well as natural & economic resources agencies for almost three years. In her 27 years of service, she has served in various accounting and budget roles in North Carolina state agencies. Most notably are her seven years as budget analyst with State Highway Patrol and later three years as budget supervisor for the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Overby brings with her a vast knowledge of the SBI’s budget as she oversaw the Bureau’s finances in both her former roles at OSBM and DPS.
Overby grew up in Warren County on her family’s tobacco farm. She has an associate’s degree in information systems with a minor in accounting from Vance-Granville Community College.
Human Resources Director -
Legislative Liaison – James L. “Jamie” Boles, Jr.
Jamie Boles joined the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation as the Legislative Liaison in January 2025. Boles is a North Carolina native. He grew up in the Town of Aberdeen in Moore County. He graduated from Sandhills Community College with an associate’s degree in business administration. He then attended Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. After graduating with his mortuary science degree, he began his professional career in funeral service. In 1984, he began Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines, NC.
In 2009, Boles began his 14 years of service in the North Carolina House of Representatives serving Moore County. He served as Senior Chair of the House Justice and Public Safety Committee, Chair of the House ABC Committee, Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, and served on various other committees over his tenure. Boles also served as Majority Whip.
Boles began his passion for public safety at the age of 15 as a junior member of the Aberdeen Rescue Squad, where he later advanced to the rank of Captain. Boles is an EMT/FF and is a member of the Whispering Pines Fire & Rescue Department.
As Legislative Liaison, Boles oversees governmental/legislative affairs of the SBI.
Main Number: (919) 662-4500