Past presidents reflect on their successes

Beginning with Craven County Commissioner C.E. Foy in 1908 and up to Buncombe County Commissioner David Young, the Association has been led by 91 outstanding and dedicated county commissioners from around the state.

In the May issue, CountyLines profiled seven of the NCACC’s 19 living past presidents who no longer hold office. Here is a look at what three others recently recalled about their presidencies.

Thomas Gray
1986-88, Dare County

Thomas Gray got to enjoy being president of the Association for a little longer than he originally anticipated. In November 1986, NCACC President Max Bauguss lost his seat on the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners, meaning that Gray, the first vice president, ascended to the Association’s presidency in December – nine months ahead of schedule. He served the rest of Bauguss’ term and then his full term the following year.

“It wasn’t that much of a big deal,” Gray said. “It just meant being in Raleigh a little bit more. We had such a great staff that no matter how long you had to stay, they made it easy for you.

“I suppose what stands out to me is the work of (former NCACC Executive Director) Ron Aycock,” said Gray, who turns 89 on Aug. 12. “He was the most outstanding leader I’ve ever seen ... It was very beneficial working with the other members of the Board and staff.”

It was a very important time for the Association, according to Gray, because cities and counties were starting to realize more and more the importance of working together.

“It was a time when we were cementing our relationship with the League of Municipalities,” he said. “It was a realization that we were all striving for the same thing. We just had a close working relationship.”

Gray served 14 years as a Dare County commissioner. He said he decided to seek the NCACC presidency to “see our county more active with the Association, and I saw a need for a more active part for the counties in the extreme eastern part of the state.”

Wayne Hooper
1989-90, Jackson County

Wayne Hooper was used to wearing different hats, so it was perhaps fitting that he became president of the Association in 1989. Hooper served a record 16 years in Jackson County as the elected chairman of the Board of Commissioners, from 1978-94. At that time, the chairman also served as county manager.

Even though he was already serving double duty at home, Hooper decided to seek election as an NCACC officer. He wanted to work with the Association to promote the interests of the far western part of the state to legislators. He said that he and Macon County’s Milles Gregory, who served as NCACC president in 1983-84, were “instrumental in helping them understand that the State of North Carolina didn’t stop at Buncombe County.”

During his tenure as a county commissioner, Hooper served as chairman of the Local Government Advocacy Council. The council featured legislators, members of the governor’s staff and representatives from the Association and the League of Municipalities. In 1984, he was recognized with the M.H. “Jack” Brock Award as the Outstanding County Commissioner of the Year. Hooper also served on a legislative study committee on the property tax.

“We made the General Assembly aware of anything they did with the property tax, how it affected county government,” he said. “We were very successful with that.”

In 1994, as he was approaching his 65th birthday, Hooper decided it was time to retire as county manager and chairman of the board. He says he hasn’t looked back at all and is enjoying retirement.

“They swore my replacement in at 10 o’clock on Monday morning, and by noon of that day, I was already getting used to retirement,” he said with a laugh.

Tim Glass
1992-93, Alexander County

When Tim Glass looks back on his year as NCACC president, he says he can’t believe how quickly it zoomed by.

“Just how fast that one year of my life went by,” he said. “I really didn’t get to prepare for the presidency. I was on a fast track.”

Glass credits the Association staff with helping ease his transition. He said he misses the interpersonal interactions more than anything. Glass also served as chairman of the NCACC Workers’ Compensation Pool Board of Trustees.

“I worked with some of the best people I believe I’ve ever known in my life. I was amazed at the value they were for counties and the value they were for me as a person. I miss that probably more than anything. We didn’t have any major issues to confront us other than the normal county issues.”

Glass served three terms on the Alexander County Board of Commissioners, from 1986-98. He was defeated in his bid for a fourth term by 117 votes, but he said it was probably for the best due to some health concerns that cropped up shortly after his defeat.

Glass sold his poultry farm in 2006 and started a new business (Wilkes Contracting) with his nephew in 2007.