The Friend of the Counties Award was created to encourage non-county persons and organizations to take significant actions that advance the interests of counties and the association. Any person or organization in North Carolina or the United States who or which is not directly associated with North Carolina county government or the NCACC is eligible to receive the award.
Selection shall be made each year by the NCACC president after consultation with the NCACC executive officers. The award shall be presented at the association’s annual conference each year.
Friend of the Counties Award Recipients
| Year | Recipient | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | North Carolina Senator Jim Burgin, representing the 12th district, former Harnett County Commissioner | |
| 2023 | Will Ray, Director of Emergency Management at the North Carolina Department of Public Safety | |
| 2022 | Greg Hobbs, Hobbs Properties; NC House Senior Appropriations Chairs: Representatives Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Jason Saine; NC Senate Senior Appropriations Chairs: Senators Kathy Harrington, Ralph Hise, and Brent Jackson | |
| 2021 | Hattie Gawande, NC DHHS | |
| 2019 | Â Dr. Mike Yoder and Ms. Sarah Kotzian, North Carolina 4-H Youth Development | |
| 2018 | Robert Ingram, GlaxoSmithKline | |
| 2017 | Michael Sprayberry, Director, NC Emergency Management | |
| 2016 | David Baker, North Carolina Department of Revenue | |
| 2015 | Rep. Chuck McGrady (Henderson County) and Rep. Howard J. Hunter III (Hertford County) | |
| 2014 | Dr. Joe Zublena, Cooperative Extension Director | |
| 2013 | State Sen. Jim Davis (Macon County) | |
| 2010 | North Carolina Representative Angela Bryant (Nash) | |
| 2009 | Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) President Maurice Smith | |
| 2008 | Ralph W Ketner | |
| 2007 | All members of the General Assembly | |
| 2006 | North Carolina Representatives Bill Owens (Pasquotank) and Wilma Sherrill (Buncombe) | |
| 2005 | North Carolina Representatives Becky Carney (Mecklenburg) and Carolyn Justice (Pender) |