RALEIGH — Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler today announced the promotion of Dr. Marcus Helfrich to director of the Standards Division. Helfrich previously served as program manager of the fuel quality laboratory. He replaces Steve Benjamin, who is retiring. The promotion is effective Nov. 1.
“Being able to promote from within gives me great pride because not only is Marcus Helfrich the most qualified candidate for the job, but he’s also a dedicated public servant that has worked on behalf of North Carolinians for years,” Troxler said. “The work of our Standards Division touches the lives of people across our state every day and I’m sure the staff will continue their exceptional work under Helfrich’s leadership.”
Helfrich earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Guilford College in 1996 and then a Masters degree and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Oregon before a post-doctoral appointment at Pennsylvania State University. Helfrich joined the department in 2008 as a chemist in the central laboratory as well as a field chemist in Wake, Lee, Granville and Chatham counties. He became program manager of the fuel quality laboratory in 2014.
Helfrich was on the committee that helped design the fuel quality laboratory in the Steve Troxler Agricultural Sciences Center.
“I have enjoyed working with the Department over the last 15 years to identify and solve problems that directly impact the lives of the citizens of North Carolina,” Helfrich said. “I appreciate this opportunity and I look forward to working with each of the sections in the Standards Division to continue to develop a culture of excellence in customer service.”
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