"Because of his years working with officers all over North Carolina, Mike is well known and well respected in the law enforcement community," said Easley. "He will be an outstanding leader for ALE's dedicated agents."

Robertson began his law enforcement career in 1971 with the Carolina Beach Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff's Department. He joined the N.C. Highway Patrol in 1973 and served with that agency until 1979. He then joined the S.B.I. and rose through the ranks to the position of Assistant Director prior to his retirement in 2001. Since his retirement from the S.B.I., he has been serving as a security consultant for Risk Management Associates of Raleigh.

"ALE's 104 agents have a huge responsibility to police the 17,000-plus outlets that sell alcohol and tobacco in the state," said CCPS Secretary Bryan E. Beatty. "Mike's experience will help ALE continue to do an outstanding job of accomplishing their core mission even with limited resources."

ALE agents have statewide authority to enforce laws on the legal and illegal manufacture, sale, consumption, distribution, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, plus the state drugs laws and the federal and state laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco to underage persons.

Robertson is a graduate of New Hanover High School in Wilmington and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Fayetteville State University. He is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and the N.C. Administrative Officer's Management Program.

Robertson and his wife Mary have three sons, one daughter, and two grandchildren.

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