Sepideh Asefnia, president of SEPI Engineering & Construction (www.sepiengineering.com), has been appointed by Gov. Bev Perdue to the 2010 North Carolina Department of Commerce Economic Development Board. The North Carolina Economic Development Board oversees state economic development research and planning and makes policy recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce, the Governor and the General Assembly. Comprised of 37 members, the board includes state government officials, Governor-appointed business and nonprofit representatives, as well as members of the N.C.