McCarthy was previously a deputy director-general of the Department of State Development and Innovation.
"Since August 2000 Mr McCarthy has been responsible for industry development and investment in the Department of State Development and Innovation, a role which has resulted in the creation of hundreds of new jobs for Queenslanders," said Queensland premier Peter Beattie.
"In particular, he developed the Smart State Ethanol Strategy which is now starting to gather momentum.
”Before that McCarthy was executive director of the Food and Meat Industries Taskforce and played a major role in saving the meat industry and its jobs in Queensland and restoring it to being a viable, vibrant and thriving force.
"I look forward to Bob performing the same sort of positive, pro-active role in the Department of Natural Resources and Mines," Beattie said.