Danny Staley

Danny Staley is the Director of the Department’s Division of Public Health. He is responsible for overseeing the delivery of public health programs including: Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Oral Health, Women’s and Children’s Health, Chronic Disease and Injury, State Center for Health Statistics, State Laboratory for Public Health, Vital Records, Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Staley started his career in public health in 1992. He has served as a local health director in Alexander County, as well as health director in the Appalachian District Health Department that covers Watauga, Ashe and Alleghany Counties.

In June 2011, Staley joined DHHS’ Division of Public Health as deputy director and chief operating officer. In July 2013, he was appointed acting director. In November 2015, he was formally named the division’s director.

Staley has been involved across the state and nationally in professional groups to advance the practice of public health. He is past president of the North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors. He has presented to legislative committees on various public health topics, including obesity, tobacco use prevention and public health infrastructure.

His education includes an associate degree in applied science in recreation from Caldwell Community College in 1987, followed by a Bachelor of Science in health education and biology from Appalachian State University in 1992, and a Master of Science in community health administration and wellness promotion from the California College for Health Science in 1997.