NC County Leaders Reconnect at 115th Annual Conference, NCACC Announces Awards and New Slate of Officers | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

Washington County Commissioner Tracey Johnson delivering remarks after being sworn in as NCACC’s 106th President

    Cabarrus County, N.C. - The NC Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) hosted its 115th Annual Conference, "On Track to Transform," in Cabarrus County last week. During the conference, the Association elected its 2022-2023 executive officers, recognized award-winners who positively impacted NC counties, and hosted educational sessions and relationship-building events.

    Tracey Johnson, Washington County Commissioner, was sworn in as the new president of the Association. President Johnson also unveiled her presidential initiative, "Connecting Counties," focused on expanding high speed broadband access across the state.

    "My broadband task force will explore the critical aspects of a successful broadband project and develop a playbook for counties to follow best practices and implement broadband expansion projects of their own," said President Johnson. "With the concerted effort of my presidential initiative and task force, I am confident we can move toward improved access for all."

    In addition to President Johnson, the Association's executive officers for 2022-2023 were sworn in by National Association of Counties President Denise Winfrey and include:

• Johnnie Carswell of Burke County, sworn in as President-Elect
• Tare "T" Davis of Warren County, sworn in as First Vice President
• Wallace Nelson of Perquimans County, sworn in as Second Vice President
• Frank Williams of Brunswick County, sworn in as Immediate Past President

    The NCACC also recognized members, partners, and other individuals who aided and positively built on the mission and vision of the organization. For more information on NCACC's awards and honors, visit www.ncacc.org/about/awards-and-recognition/. Several counties received awards from the Civic Federal Credit Union for establishing innovative partnerships to improve services to citizens. Other award winners include:

• Sig Hutchinson, Wake County Commissioner, winner of the M.H. "Jack" Brock Outstanding County Commissioner Award
• Virginia Tillett, a former Dare County Commissioner, inducted into the NCACC Hall of Fame
• Mr. Greg Hobbs, winner of the Friend of the Counties Award
• House Senior Appropriations Chairs: Representatives Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Jason Saine; winners of the Friend of the Counties Award
• Senate Senior Appropriations Chairs: Senators Kathy Harrington, Ralph Hise, and Brent Jackson; winners of the Friend of the Counties Award
• NC Attorney General Josh Stein and his senior legal team, winners of the Distinguished Service Award

    Attorney General Stein and his team at the Department of Justice were instrumental in negotiating the national opioid settlement and worked closely with counties and Association staff to craft a Memorandum of Agreement that directs significant funding to all 100 counties to combat the opioid crisis.

    "I'm grateful for the partnership between the NCDOJ and North Carolina Association of County Commissioners; it was essential in securing the $26 billion national settlement, including North Carolina's share of $750 million," said Attorney General Stein. "Now we all want to make sure that these funds are effectively spent to help people with addiction all across our state stay alive and then become healthy."

    The NCACC 115th Annual Conference in Cabarrus County also featured the 11th edition of YouthVoice, a program initiated by an NCACC Past President that invites high school-age youth from all 100 counties to learn more about leadership and county governance, and to facilitate conversations between commissioners and future leaders. NCACC partners with NC 4-H Youth Development and Boys & Girls Clubs of NC to select and bring YouthVoice delegates to Annual Conference.

    Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from guest speakers including Peter Cressy, a retired Rear Admiral who shared insight on leading during times of crisis through the historical lens of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill; and Beth Macy, NY Times Best Seller and critically acclaimed author of "Dopesick." Macy's new book, "Raising Lazarus," highlights stories of people - several in North Carolina - working to combat the opioid crisis.