CHAPEL HILL— Clayton Somers has joined the staff of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, according to an announcement by commissioner Davis Whitfield.

       Somers will take on the role as general counsel for the NCHSAA.

       “The experiences Clayton brings to the NCHSAA are unmatched. He will undoubtedly help us reach our vision of being the national model of state associations,” said Whitfield. “He brings a wide variety of skills including contract management, contract negotiation, human resources and a law background that should help us as we begin the next 100 years of the NCHSAA.”

       Somers, who graduated from Wake Forest University’s School of Law, had been working for OnSport Strategies and then subsequently the Wasserman Media Group in Raleigh since 2004. He served as executive vice-president, chief operating officer and legal counsel for two of the sports and entertainment company’s three operating divisions. He has extensive experience in human resources, also having served as vice-president of human resources during his tenure there.

       A native of Reidsville, he is a graduate of Reidsville Senior High School and got his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina.

       His civic affiliations have included a stint as president and a member of the Board of Directors of the Triangle Educational Advancement Foundation (TEAF), which annually operates the prestigious Holiday Invitational Basketball Tournament, now sponsored by HighSchoolOT.com.