RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The state government human resources director in Gov. Pat McCrory’s administration is leaving his job at the end of the month for a position at his alma mater.

Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs announced Neal Alexander is the interim dean for its business school. Alexander has served on the Gardner-Webb trustee board.

In a news release Tuesday, McCrory praised Alexander for helping modernize the Office of State Human Resources during his 3½-year tenure. McCrory’s office says Alexander led improvements to resolve employee grievances more quickly, implement a performance management system and make more consistent the way worker compensation is determined.

Alexander previously worked more than 40 years in human resources at what is now Duke Energy.

Deputy Director Paula Woodhouse will replace Alexander on an interim basis.