CONCORD — N.C. Rep. Jeff Barnhart, a Republican from Cabarrus County, is retiring from the General Assembly on Sept. 30 to take a job with an international lobbying firm.
 “It has been my honor to serve the people of Cabarrus County for the past eleven years in Raleigh,” Barnhart said in a statement released by his office. “However, the time has come for me to step aside and allow someone else the opportunity to serve our county. It has been a wonderful experience and I cherish the many friends I have made through my years of public service.”
Barnhart, who represents the 82nd District which includes Concord, is in the middle of his sixth term in the House.?He previously served 10 years on the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners.
In a press release, McGuireWoods Consulting said Barnhart will start work Oct. 1 as a senior vice president. He’ll be part of the firm’s government affairs team working out of its Charlotte and Raleigh offices.
“Jeff has had a remarkable career serving the people of North Carolina and working with businesses and community leaders to grow the economy and expand opportunities for its citizens throughout the state,”?Harry Kaplan, senior vice president of North Carolina Government Relations for McGuireWoods, said in a press release. “His experience will be exceedingly valuable to both clients and our North Carolina staff.”
McGuireWoods’ press release noted Barnhart was most recently co-chairman of the House Appropriations Committee “and was a strong healthcare proponent, earning numerous recognitions from many organizations.” 
Barnhart recently stepped down from his position as CEO of Cabarrus Community Health Centers Inc. after three years.  
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to join such a well respected firm with a great team of professionals across the country,” said Barnhart. “In addition to the firm’s great reputation and capabilities throughout the Southeast, the ability to utilize my healthcare experience while also getting to work on other issues in different industries was personally very appealing to me.”
McGuireWoods Consulting, a subsidiary of the law firm McGuireWoods LLP, also has offices in Wilmington, Atlanta, Columbia, S.C., Washington, D.C., Richmond, Charlottesville and Tysons Corner in Virginia, Chicago and Springfield in Illinois and Bucharest, Romania.