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.
Contacts
Officers and Board of Directors
| Office | Name | County | |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Maria Hass | Cherokee County | [email protected] |
| Vice President | Monica W. Wallace | Durham County | [email protected] |
| Secretary | Yvonne Gilyard | Wake County | [email protected] |
| Treasurer | Debbie Harris | Davidson County | [email protected] |
| Immediate Past President | Phyllis Nowlen | Cleveland County | [email protected] |
| Director | Dale Stiles | Catawba County | [email protected] |
| Director | Kristine Smith | Mecklenburg County | [email protected] |
| Director | Ashleigh Matthews | Forsyth County | [email protected] |
| Director | Melissa Capps | Harnett County | [email protected] |
| Director | Sarah Pack | Rowan County | [email protected] |
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 appoints all committees and is responsible for ensuring they function effectively.
Current committees include: Bylaw, Clerks’ Reference Guide, Communications, Fundraising, History, Membership, Nominating, Outstanding Clerk of the Year, Professional Development & Conference Planning, Scholarship, and State Certification. The Professional Development & Conference Planning Committee also includes the Goody Bag Subcommittee and the Registration Subcommittee.
Members who are interested in serving on a committee are encouraged to contact the President directly or indicate their interest on the membership form.
2026-2027 Committees
- Bylaws Committee
Phyllis Nowlen, Chair, Cleveland County
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Tammi Faison, Edgecombe County
Debbie Harris, Davidson County
Maria Hass, Cherokee County
Trisha Hogan, Transylvania County
Karen Logan, Davie County
Melissa Long, New Hanover County
Ashleigh Matthews, Forsyth County
Sarah Pack, Rowan County
Kristine Smith, Mecklenburg County
Dale Stiles, Catawba County
Toni Womack, Wake County - Clerks’ Reference Guide
Kristine Smith, Chair, Mecklenburg County
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Jenny Brown, Alamance County
Melissa Capps, Harnett County
Rosalyn Covington, Forsyth County
Debbie Harris, Davidson County
Maria Hass, Cherokee County
Phyllis Nowlen, Cleveland County
Dale Stiles, Catawba County
Toni Womack, Wake County - Communications Committee
Yvonne Gilyard, Chair, Wake County
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Rosalyn Covington, Forsyth County
Karen Logan, Davie County
Victoria Oxentine, High Country COG
Phyllis Nowlen, Cleveland County
Sarah Pack, Rowan County
Paula Pulley, Warren County
Dale Stiles, Catawba County
- Fundraising Committee
Dale Stiles, Chair, Catawba County
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Dana Cuddington, Johnston County
Debbie Harris, Davidson County
Trisha Hogan, Transylvania County
Paula Pulley, Warren County
Susie Reeves, Johnston County
Andrea Tebbe, Cumberland County
Kayla Whitley, Wayne County - History Committee
Phyllis Nowlen, Chair, Cleveland County
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Arlissa Eason, Mecklenburg County
Melissa Long, New Hanover County
Dale Stiles, Catawba County - Membership Committee
Debbie Harris, Chair, Davidson County
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Macio Carlton, Durham County
Tammi Faison, Edgecombe County
Maria Hass, Cherokee County
Ashleigh Matthews, Forsyth County
Katie Mitchell, PTRC COG
Sarah Pack, Rowan County
Paula Pulley, Warren County
Kristine Smith, Mecklenburg County
Dale Stiles, Catawba County
- Nominating Committee
Phyllis Nowlen, Chair, Cleveland County
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Julie Bennett, Washington County
Yvonne Gilyard, Wake County
Melissa Long, New Hanover County
Ashleigh Matthews, Forsyth County
Dale Stiles, Catawba County - Outstanding Clerk of the Year Committee
Maria Hass, Chair, Cherokee County
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Donna Buff, Gaston County
Kimberly Hines, Pitt County
Trisha Hogan, Transylvania County
Melissa Long, New Hanover County - Professional Development and Conference Planning Committee
Monica Wallace, Chair, Durham County
Melissa Capps, Harnett County
Macio Carlton, Durham County
Dana Crisco, Randolph County
Dana Cuddington, Johnston County
Kennedy Freeman, Polk County
Yvonne Gilyard, Wake County
Debbie Harris, Davidson County
Maria Hass, Cherokee County
Phyllis Nowlen, Cleveland County
Susie Reeves, Johnston County
Dale Stiles, Catawba County- Goody Bags Subcommittee
Dana Cuddington, Chair, Johnston County
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Macio Carlton, Durham County
Susan Reeves, Johnston County - Registration Subcommittee
Tammi Faison, Chair, Edgecombe County
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Jenifer Johnson, Chatham County
Kayla Whitley, Wayne County
- Goody Bags Subcommittee
- Scholarship Committee
Julie Bennett, Chair, Washington County
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Debbie Harris, Davidson County
Maria Hass, Cherokee County
Katie Mitchell, PTRC COG
Phyllis Nowlen, Cleveland County
Sarah Pack, Rowan County
Kristine Smith, Mecklenburg County - State Certification Committee
Kym Crowell, Chair, New Hanover County
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Yvonne Gilyard, Wake County
Maria Hass, Cherokee County
Monica Wallace, Durham County
Toni Womack, Wake County
Clerk of the Year Award
Cherokee County Clerk to the Board Maria Hass Named 2025 Howard Holly Outstanding Clerk of the Year
Cherokee County Clerk to the Board Maria Hass was honored as the 2025 Howard Holly Outstanding Clerk of the Year on March 26, 2026, during the North Carolina Association of County Clerks Annual Conference, held in Craven County. The award was presented at the annual banquet.
Clerk Hass has faithfully served Cherokee County for 20 years. In addition to her role as clerk, she also serves as assistant county manager and airport director, demonstrating exceptional leadership, versatility, and dedication to public service. Throughout her career, she has been a trusted resource and steady leader within her county and across the state.
Ms. Hass has been an active and engaged member of the North Carolina Association of County Clerks, serving on the Board of Directors and in several leadership roles, including director, treasurer, secretary, and vice president. At the banquet, she was sworn in as president of the Clerks Association for 2026-27, continuing her longstanding commitment to supporting and advancing the clerk profession across North Carolina. She holds the designation of North Carolina Master County Clerk through the North Carolina Association of County Clerks, as well as the Certified Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
Notably, Hass is the first clerk from Cherokee County to receive this prestigious award, marking a significant milestone for her county and reflecting the lasting impact of her service.
The Howard Holly Outstanding Clerk of the Year Award is presented annually to a clerk in recognition of accomplishments that exceed accepted standards and for distinguished, ongoing contributions to local government in North Carolina.
Congratulations Maria!
- Previous Clerk of the Year Awards
Close accordionYear Name County Served as President 2024 Melissa A. Long New Hanover 2024-2025 2023 Donna Buff Gaston 2020-2021 2022 Trisha Hogan Transylvania 2021-22 2021 Kimberly Hines Pitt 2017-18 2020 Penny Owens Tyrrell N/A 2019 Debbie Harris Davidson 2022-23 2018 Julie Bennett Washington 2016-2017 2017 Paula Woodard Johnston 2015-16 2016 Kristen King Franklin 2014-15 2015 Gaynell Lee Lee N/A 2014 Carolyn Barger Rowan 2013-14 2013 Kathy Greene Caldwell 2009-10 2012 Debby Core Brunswick 2011-12 2011 Jeanette Deese Carteret 2010-11 2010 Marcia Wilson Wayne N/A 2009 Gwen Bryan Craven 2003-04 2008 Brenda Hunter Davie 2007-08 2007 Elizabeth “Libby” Corn Henderson 2006-07 2006 Kathy Hughes Buncombe 2005-06 2005 Kay Blanchard Harnett 2004-05 2004 Susan Banks Pitt 1998-99 2003 Pam Robertson Rockingham 2002-03 2002 Lois Askew Washington 1993-94 2001 Joyce Ennis Johnston 2000-01 2000 Wanda Smith Caldwell 1997-98 1999 Sandra Catherwood Vance 1996-97 1998 Betty Blankenship Caldwell 1997-98 1997 Marsha Fogle Cumberland 1987-88 1996 Ida Smith Columbus 1992-93 1995 Barbara Moore Union 1994-95 1994 Charles Mashburn Alexander 1991-92 1993 Bobbie Wilson Granville 1989-90 1992 Alice Fortner Iredell 1979-80 1991 Jane Cole Forsyth 1983-84 1990 Oleta Lopez Hoke 1989 Odessa Johnson Rockingham 1985-86 1988 Norma Bodsford Guilford 1988-89 1987 Lucie Harrell New Hanover 1986-87 1986 None Listed in History N/A N/A 1985 Eleanor Creech Johnston N/A 1984 Judy Matthews Transylvania 1980-81 1983 Virginia Edwards Carteret N/A 1982 Belinda Formyduval Onslow 1982-83 1981 Rachel Goins Stanly 1981-82
Minutes, Forms, & Resources
- Minutes
2025
- Executive Committee Meeting Minutes – January 17, 2025 (PDF)
- Executive Committee Meeting Minutes – March 13, 2025 (PDF)
- Executive Committee Meeting Minutes – July 18, 2025 (PDF)
- Executive Committee Meeting Minutes – August 22, 2025 (PDF)
- Executive Committee Meeting Minutes – September 24, 2025 (PDF)
- Executive Committee Meeting Minutes – October 22, 2025 (PDF)
2024
- Business Meeting Minutes – April 10, 2024 (PDF)
- Executive Committee Meeting Minutes – May 2, 2024 (PDF)
- Executive Committee Meeting Minutes – July 5, 2024 (PDF)
- Executive Committee Meeting Minutes – August 1, 2024 (PDF)
- Executive Committee Meeting Minutes – October 30, 2024 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – November 21, 2024 (PDF)
2023
- Business Meeting Minutes – April 19, 2023 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2023 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – November 16, 2023 (PDF)
2022
2021
2019
- Business Meeting Minutes – March 21, 2019 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – August 23, 2019 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – November 14, 2019 (PDF)
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. Membership dues remain at $55.
Membership in the clerks 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 North Carolina 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
Scholarships are available for clerks who need financial assistance to attend the annual conference. 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. You can join or renew your membership and pay the $55 fee either online by clicking here, or by downloading the PDF application and mailing it with your payment to the address listed on the form.
Respectfully,
Debbie Harris
Clerk to the Board
Davidson County Board of Commissioners
NC Association of County Clerks Membership Committee, Chair