Howie DeVane

Howie DeVane currently serves as Director of External Affairs for the NC Zoo Society. In this role, he leads major corporate fundraising along with local and state government relations. He previously served as Director of Strategic Partnerships, US Commercial at SAS Institute, where he worked to connect SAS leadership with business and industry executives in North Carolina. He also worked with former Governor Jim Hunt for over 25 years in various public and private sector roles. During Hunt’s last term as governor, Howie served as Director of Boards & Commissions where he was responsible for over 3,000 gubernatorial appointments to over 400 boards and commissions. At the corporate law firm of Womble Carlyle, Howie managed business development and community affairs for Governor Hunt and was later promoted to Sales Director for the firm. He has served as a member of the NC Zoo Society Board of Directors, the Tryon Palace Commission, and the UNC Pembroke Board of Visitors. Howie is a lifelong North Carolinian and is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill. He currently lives in the Triangle area with his wife, Sarah, and their three children.