Ken:
There are many engineers who can help you with your project in NC.
And some, or at least one of them, I believe, lives in either NC or SC. But anyhow, if you go to the TFEC (Timber framing engineering council) site there is a map there and you click on that state on the map and it will give you a name of an engineer who is licensed in that state.
They can advise you about what you'll need for foundation, footings, and connections to comply with the code in your area.
The council site is:
http://www.timberframeengineeringcouncil.org/index.htmlGood luck with your project.
Jim Rogers