North Carolina Association of County Clerks

About us

History

With our first organizational meeting on November 11, 1976 at the Institute of Government, Chapel Hill, the NCACC was formed to provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and techniques used in the performance of the Clerks’ duties, to obtain information on the operation of the respective departments in the 100 counties of the state, to obtain knowledge on existing and new federal and state programs and laws affecting county government, to keep abreast of new trends implemented in and by county governments in the state and to promote, create and improve efficiency in the operations and record keeping of the Clerks’ office throughout the state of North Carolina.

Mission

Our goal is to create a professional organization that would give opportunities for Clerks to exchange ideas/information and initiate plans for continuing organizational activities, formulate specific projects to help develop strong leadership and to separate the position of Clerk to the Board of Commissioners from other positions which had historically performed the duties of Clerk, i.e., Register of Deeds, Finance Officer, Manager.

  • Letter from the President

    Letter from the President

    Spring 2023

    When I was elected to the Board of Directors in 2017, being sworn in as President seemed like a million years away. I cannot believe how quickly the last six years have flown by! I am sincerely honored to serve our Association as President and your confidence in and support of me is truly humbling. I admire each one of you for your dedication to your organizations and to our Association.

    After I was sworn in and looked out at all of you, I had to hold back big tears because I saw the faces of all the friends I love, respect, and look up to.  The love in that room was palpable!  I am so excited about the year ahead knowing that together we are going to accomplish amazing things!

    Our annual conference in New Hanover County was fantastic and I am so glad I got to catch up with so many of you while we were there. A big thanks to all of you who contributed supplies and helped assemble the emergency kits at the senior center for our service project. Be on the lookout for information about our “Stuff the Bus” service project at the NC Association of County Commissioners Annual Conference in Raleigh on August 24-26!  

    This summer the Program Committee will begin planning our fall Regionals, the November Clerk Academies, and the 2024 Annual Conference. If there are any topics you would like us to address, please let me know.

    It is possible I will not be able to get to all 100 counties, but I have a goal to visit each of you in your counties over the next year! I want to celebrate you and the amazing work you do so selflessly every day.

    I am so very excited to serve you this year and please feel free to reach out to me anytime if you have any questions and I would love to hear ways you think we can enhance your membership.

    Sincerely,

    Lindsay K. Ray, President
    NC Association of County Clerks

Contacts

Officers and Board of Directors

PositionNameCountyContact
PresidentLindsay RayChathamEmail Lindsay Ray
Vice PresidentMelissa LongNew HanoverEmail Melissa Long
SecretaryPhyllis NowlenClevelandEmail Phyllis Nowlen
TreasurerMaria HassCherokeeEmail Maria Hass
Past PresidentDebbie HarrisDavidsonEmail Debbie Harris
DirectorKatie M. MosherBeaufortEmail Katie Mosher
DirectorMonica W. WallaceDurhamEmail Monica Wallace
DirectorJulie WandOnslowEmail Julie Wand
DirectorJanna SingletonPittEmail Janna Singleton
DirectorYvonne GilyardWakeEmail Yvonne Gilyard

Directory

There are many names and many faces to remember! The Directory of County Clerks & Deputy Clerks gives you a unique opportunity. It will assist in helping you to begin putting faces with names or just prove as a refresher from those you’ve met in the past. It is also a great networking tool! Updates to the directory may be submitted to Melissa Long.

Committees

The NCACC President will appoint all committees and has the duty to see that all committees function effectively.

There are currently 18 Committees: Nominating, Outstanding Clerk, Program, Site Selection, Scholarship, Membership, Homepage, Newsletter, Historian, Professional Development, State Certification, Scrapbook, Records Retention, Goody Bag, Door Prize, Hospitality and Directory.

Members should contact the President if they are interested in serving on any committees and/or note their interest on the membership form.

2022-2023 Committees

  • Annual Conference Planning Committee

    Lindsay Ray, Chair, Chatham County
    Kym Crowell, New Hanover County
    Melissa Long, New Hanover County
    Lauren Linker, Cabarrus County
    Debbie Harris, Davidson County
    Trisha Hogan, Transylvania County
    Vickie King, Lenoir County
    Ashleigh Sloop, Forsyth County
    Carol Bowden, Wayne County
    Kayla Whitley, Wayne County
    Tory Frink, Alamance County
    Maria Hass, Cherokee County

  • Birthdays

    Gwen McGougan, Chair, Hoke County
    Nan Holton, Craven County
    Lynn Wilson, Davidson County

  • Bylaws Revision

    Phyllis Nowlen, Chair, Cleveland County
    Ashleigh Sloop, Forsyth County
    Melissa Long, New Hanover County
    Sarah Call, Wilkes County
    Jennifer Gamble, Lee County
    Janice Evans, Nash County
    Carol Bowden, Wayne County
    Vickie King, Lenoir County
    Kay Draughn, Burke County

  • Clerks’ Reference Guide

    Lindsay Ray, Chair, Chatham County
    Katie Mosher, Beaufort
    Debra Ivey, SW COG
    Debbie Harris, Davidson County

  • Directory

    Melissa Long, Chair, New Hanover County
    Amy Anderson, Iredell County
    Monica Wallace, Durham County

  • Fundraising

    Trisha Hogan, Chair, Transylvania County
    Debbie Harris, Davidson County
    Katie Mosher, Beaufort County
    Dana Cuddington, Johnston County

  • Goody Bag & Door Prize

    Vickie King, Chair, Lenoir County
    Debra Weary, Granville County
    Dana Cuddington, Johnston County
    Angela Stacks, Gaston County
    Monica Wallace, Durham County

  • Historian

    Trisha Hogan, Chair, Transylvania County

  • Membership

    Debbie Harris, Chair, Davidson County
    Debra Weary, Granville County
    Brenda Reaves, Person County
    Lynn West, Union County

  • Nominating

    Trisha Hogan, Chair, Transylvania County
    Phyllis Nowlen, Cleveland County
    Debra Ivey, SW COG
    Julie Wand, Onslow County

  • Outstanding Clerk

    Kimberly Hines, Chair, Pitt County
    Penny Owens, Tyrrell County
    Debbie Harris, Davidson County
    Julie Bennett, Washington County
    Paula Woodard, Johnston County

  • Professional Development & Program

    Lindsay Ray, Chair, Chatham County
    Trisha Hogan, Transylvania County
    Debbie Harris, Ex-Officio, Davidson County
    Lauren Linker, Cabarrus County
    Kym Crowell, New Hanover County
    Melissa Long, New Hanover County
    Monica Wallace, Durham County
    Tory Frink, Alamance County
    Maria Hass, Cherokee County
    Vickie Green, Lenoir County
    Ashleigh Sloop, Forsyth County
    Carol Bowden, Wayne County
    Kayla Whitley, Wayne County

  • Scholarship

    Debbie Harris, Chair, Davidson County
    Julie Bennett, Washington County
    Trisha Hogan, Transylvania County
    Lauren Linker, Cabarrus County
    Maria Hass, Cherokee County

  • Scrapbook

    Kristen King, Chair, Franklin County
    Karen Davis, Camden County
    Dana Cuddington, Johnston County
    Angela Stacks, Gaston County
    Dena Cook, Richmond County

  • State Certification

    Kym Crowell, Chair, New Hanover County
    Debbie Harris, Davison County
    Melissa Long, New Hanover County
    Janna Singleton, Pitt County

  • Communications Committee

    Melissa Long, Chair, New Hanover County
    Lauren Linker, Cabarrus County
    Carol Bowden, Wayne County
    Debra Ivey, SW COG
    Phyllis Nowlen, Cleveland County
    Vickie King, Lenoir County
    Angela Stacks, Gaston County
    Trisha Hogan, Transylvania County

Clerk of the Year Award

Transylvania County Clerk Trisha Hogan Named 2022 Clerk of the Year

Transylvania County Clerk to the Board Trisha Hogan was presented the 2022 Howard Holly Outstanding Clerk of the Year Award on April 20, 2023, during the North Carolina Association of County Clerks Annual Conference.

Trisha has worked for Transylvania County as the Clerk to the Board since January 2, 2007. In addition to the numerous committees over the years, she has served as a member of the Association’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee and was President of the Association from 2021-2022. Trisha has achieved the status of Certified Municipal Clerk through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. She has also achieved the designation of North Carolina Master County Clerk through the North Carolina Association of County Clerks. 

The Howard Holly Outstanding Clerk Award is presented in recognition of accomplishments superior to accepted standards and distinguished continuing contributions to county government in North Carolina. 

Congratulations Trisha!

Pictured above: Transylvania County Clerk to the Board Trisha Hogan (center), with husband Andrew and Transylvania County Manager Jaime Laughter and her son Sam.
  • Previous Clerk of the Year Awards
    YearNameCountyServed as President
    2021Kimberly HinesPitt2017-18
    2020Penny OwensTyrrellN/A
    2019Debbie HarrisDavidson2022-23
    2018Julie BennettWashington2016-2017
    2017Paula WoodardJohnston2015-16
    2016Kristen KingFranklin2014-15
    2015Gaynell LeeLeeN/A
    2014Carolyn BargerRowan2013-14
    2013Kathy GreeneCaldwell2009-10
    2012Debby CoreBrunswick2011-12
    2011Jeanette DeeseCarteret2010-11
    2010Marcia WilsonWayneN/A
    2009Gwen BryanCraven2003-04
    2008Brenda HunterDavie2007-08
    2007Elizabeth “Libby” CornHenderson2006-07
    2006Kathy HughesBuncombe2005-06
    2005Kay BlanchardHarnett2004-05
    2004Susan BanksPitt1998-99
    2003Pam RobertsonRockingham2002-03
    2002Lois AskewWashington1993-94
    2001Joyce EnnisJohnston2000-01
    2000Wanda SmithCaldwell1997-98
    1999Sandra CatherwoodVance1996-97
    1998Betty BlankenshipCaldwell1997-98
    1997Marsha FogleCumberland1987-88
    1996Ida SmithColumbus1992-93
    1995Barbara MooreUnion1994-95
    1994Charles MashburnAlexander1991-92
    1993Bobbie WilsonGranville1989-90
    1992Alice FortnerIredell1979-80
    1991Jane ColeForsyth1983-84
    1990Oleta LopezHoke
    1989Odessa JohnsonRockingham1985-86
    1988Norma BodsfordGuilford1988-89
    1987Lucie HarrellNew Hanover1986-87
    1986None Listed in HistoryN/AN/A
    1985Eleanor CreechJohnstonN/A
    1984Judy MatthewsTransylvania1980-81
    1983Virginia EdwardsCarteretN/A
    1982Belinda FormyduvalOnslow1982-83
    1981Rachel GoinsStanly1981-82

Minutes, Forms & Resources

Membership

Dear Fellow Clerks and COG Secretaries:

It is time to renew your annual membership in the North Carolina Association of County Clerks to the Boards of County Commissioners.  If you have never joined this wonderful organization, I would like to invite you to consider it now.  Dues are payable during the first quarter of each calendar year and should be remitted by September 30, 2023.

Membership in the Association continues to gain ground and you will surely benefit from taking advantage of the improved benefits and vital training offered to Clerks.  The benefits from our professional organization, which is an affiliate of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, include:

Training through the Association and in conjunction with the School of Government (SOG) 

Ever increasing legislation adds layers of complexity to our roles as Clerks.  Training events are structured to ensure we stay abreast of those changes and the way in which they affect our profession and our boards of commissioners.  We are ever mindful of the need to render sound management practices.

SOG November Clerks Academies

Topics for the annual SOG Clerk Academies are chosen by the Association and also by the NC Association of Municipal Clerks.  Who better to suggest topics for training than those of us who are in the trenches on a daily basis and are in need of the most accurate and up to date information available?  We constantly strive to improve the administration of our offices and the topics selected for the January Clerks School offer sound management practices to help achieve our goals.

North Carolina Certified County Clerks (NCCCC) and North Carolina Master County Clerk (NCMCC) 

The Association and the SOG listened to county clerks across the state and responded to the need for a state certification program for county clerks.  The program focuses on objectives that are more relevant to county government.  The first inaugural class was recognized by the Dean of the SOG during the January Clerks School in January 2010.  The certification may be used in conjunction with, or replace, the Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) and Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) designation conferred by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

Scholarships 

For clerks who need financial assistance in attending the Annual Conference, there are scholarships available.  If your county has limited funds for educational training, or has imposed travel restrictions, please apply for a scholarship.

Membership Fee 

We can never learn too much.  The $55 membership fee is a wonderful bargain in exchange for the knowledge, training, networking, and certifications to be gained for our professional development.  Download a membership application (PDF) and mail it with the $55 fee to the address listed on the application or use the online membership payment form for processing.

Respectfully,

Debbie Harris Signature

Debbie Harris
Clerk to the Board
Davidson County Board of Commissioners
NC Association of County Clerks Membership Committee, Chair