Nine new district directors join Board

• Click here to view an NCACC district map.

Representatives from the NCACC's odd-numbered districts caucused at the 102nd Annual Conference to select district directors to two-year terms on the NCACC Board of Directors. Six of those directors are featured here. New District 1 Director Phil Faison (Camden County), District 9 Director Amy Dalrymple (Lee) and District 13 Director Barbara Beatty (Catawba) will be featured in November.

Directors are expected to maintain contact with other commissioners in their districts. This allows directors to know and to understand the issues that affect the counties in their district and provides a means for communicating with our members. District directors should inform Association staff and other members of the Board of Directors about matters of interest or concern in their districts.

Advocacy: As part of the Association's grassroots advocacy program, district directors serve as a primary contact when we need legislative action. At times, they may be asked to find out what other commissioners in their districts think about specific legislative proposals.

Representation: District directors are encouraged to foster constructive intergovernmental relationships in their counties. This includes participating in civic education programs in schools and community organizations, or at colleges and universities in the area. District directors may also represent the NCACC with other interested parties or organizations at the local level.

Mentoring: District directors help mentor newly elected commissioners from their districts, especially in the year following county elections, by offering encouragement, helping them to understand county government, and sharing experiences. Most importantly, district directors should encourage new commissioners to become involved in NCACC programs, activities and committees.

For a full listing of district directors and members of the Board of Directors, click here.

Christine Mele

District 3 Director
Pamlico County

Represents Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Onslow, Pamlico and Wayne counties

Occupation: Retired educator, owner of a commercial cell tower business, musician

Top local priority: "Be able to keep quality county services functioning as we face reduced revenues from every source."

Why did you run for office? "With a background in the public sector and as an entrepreneur, basic principles on the role of government have guided my decisions in office. Those principles have been well understood by my constituents who have continued to support me in office and were the reason I was initially approached to fill a vacancy on the board in 1997. I am passionate about being a voice for those who are alarmed about greater and greater growth of government and its impact on our lives."

Robert Wright

District 5 Director
Hoke County

Represents Bladen, Hoke, Robeson and Scotland counties

Occupation: Farmer – corn, soybeans, rye, oats, wheat, etc. on "a couple thousand acres."

Political history: 10th year on Board of Commissioners. Previously served 10 years on school board.

Top local priority: "Bringing retail sales to Hoke County."

Why did you run for office? "I thought I could help Hoke County to be a better place to live, and with my knowledge of farming, how to get the most out of a dollar."

Born: March 27, 1941

Education: Campbell College (now Campbell University), graduated in 1963 in the first four-year class

Family: Married to Shirley for 46 years; three sons; two grandchildren with a third due Oct. 22

What are you most proud of from work in public service? "When I was chairman we brought an ethanol plant to Hoke County and it will open this January. That's rather unique to have an ethanol plant."

Robert Carter

District 7 Director
Northampton County

Represents Edgecombe, Halifax, Nash, Northampton and Wilson counties

Occupation: Retired educator

Political history: First elected in 1998. Currently serving third term.

Top local priority: "A new DSS building. We're in the planning stages now."

Why did you run for office? "I ran to increase the involvement of citizens with the board. I wanted to see a majority represented in the county's affairs."

Born: Oct. 3, 1940

Education: B.S. in Biology, Shaw University, 1965

Family: Wife, Ida; seven children; 10 grandchildren

What are you most proud of from work in public service? "The uniting of the citizens in our county. I think that since my involvement on the board more people have become active in what's going on in county government. I think that when people are active and informed, they feel good about their government."

Darrell Frye

District 11 Director
Randolph County

Represents Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Guilford, Randolph and Rockingham counties

Occupation: Vice President of Finance and Administration, Harriss & Covington Hosiery Mills

Political history: First elected in 1982. Currently serving seventh term. Past NCACC President (1990-91); Outstanding County Commissioner Award winner (1992).

Top local priority: "Other than balancing the budget, jobs and investment for our county, and our educational needs."

Why did you run for office? "I continue to have an interest in local government. I think the government closest to the people governs the best, and I just like to contribute when I can."

Born: Aug. 14, 1945

Family: Wife, Renee; four children; 10 grandchildren

What are you most proud of from work in public service? "I'm most proud of the continued commitment that we've made to education and meeting the educational needs of our county. I think since I've been on the board we've built 14 new schools. That takes a lot of work and cooperation. … I've been glad that we've had a good working relationship with our school board that has allowed us to effectively meet our needs."

Renée McDermott

District 15 Director
Polk County

Represents Cleveland, McDowell, Polk and Rutherford counties

Occupation: Retired attorney (served as Brown County, Ind., attorney from 1994-98); former educator

Political history: Elected in 2008 to first four-year term on Board of Commissioners

Top local priority: "To keep Polk County rural and beautiful."

Why did you run for office? "There weren't enough efforts being made to keep the county that way and I thought that I could help out."

Birthday: Sept. 26

Education: Bachelor's in English and Journalism, University of South Florida; Master's in Math and Science Education, USF: J.D. from Indiana University in Bloomington

Family: Married to Jim McDermott for 23 years

What are you most proud of from work in public service? "Passing a mountain and ridgeline protection ordinance."

Interesting story from tenure on Board of Commissioners: "The recession is sort of an interesting story, and trying to do all the things that people want and need without raising taxes."

Dana Jones

District 17 Director
Cherokee County

Represents Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties

Occupation: Real estate appraiser with offices in Sylva, Franklin and Cherokee County

Political history: In his third four-year term on the Board of Commissioners. He is the first person to be elected to a third term in Cherokee County.

Top local priority: "My top priority for our local area is economic development, to be ready for recruitment when the economy shifts. To do this we have to develop infrastructure and other local resources when money is available."

Why did you run for office? "To provide much needed leadership in Cherokee County going forward into the 21st century."

Born: Dec. 31, 1947

Education: Graduated from Knoxville Business College

Family: Wife, Laurie, six children and two grandchildren

What are you most proud of from work in public service? "I keep an open line of communication with my constituents."