THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, February 22, 1997           TAG: 9702220273
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 
SOURCE: BY MASON PETERS, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY                    LENGTH:   43 lines

LAMB IS NAMED SENIOR POLICY ADVISER FOR DENNIS WICKER

Zee B. Lamb, a Pasquotank County commissioner recognized as one of North Carolina's busier Democrats, was named Friday as senior policy adviser to Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker, who has political ambitions of his own.

It is no secret in Raleigh that Wicker plans to run for governor or another higher office when the signs and portents are auspicious - which translates in most minds to the year 2,000 when Gov. Jim Hunt's term expires.

Lamb, a 38-year-old Elizabeth city lawyer, is one of the young Democratic leaders who feels he is ready, willing and able to take a handoff from old-guard party members trotting toward the showers.

``I'm excited to have Zee join my staff,'' said Wicker, 45. ``His background and experience in law and public policy will be an asset in shaping policy that will help our state.''

Said Lamb: ``I feel that my training and experience qualifies me to help Lt. Gov. Wicker in matters of law as his counselor and in matters of state as his political adviser.''

Lamb has degrees in history and law from Duke University and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He has been a Pasquotank County commissioner for eight years and has twice served as board chairman.

In a state where children are indoctrinated in politics from childhood, Lamb has been an industrious worker for the Democratic Party, never too busy to attend rallies in the rain or put up signs in freezing weather.

Lamb is a director of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, and represents the state on the National Association of Counties. He has served on the Governor's Crime Commission since 1994.

When the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings on a proposed national crime bill, Lamb was among the local government leaders called to testify.

Lamb is married to Nancy B. Lamb, an assistant district attorney whose courtroom style made her familiar to national TV audiences during her prosecution in Edenton's Little Rascals child molestation cases. She is now a senior prosecutor in the 1st Judicial District.

``I'll probably spend weekdays in Raleigh and come home to Elizabeth City on weekends to see Nancy and the family,'' Lamb said.

The Lambs have three children, ranging in age from 2 to 9.