CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C. – The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) held its first Board of Directors meeting under the leadership of President Wallace Nelson on October 10-11, 2025, at the Beaufort Hotel in Carteret County.
Nelson, a Perquimans County commissioner and the Association’s 109th president, officially began with his installation at the NCACC Annual Conference in August 2025. The October meeting marked the first convening of the 2025-26 Board of Directors and included the swearing-in of new board members. Over two days, the board focused on aligning priorities, providing strategic direction, and reinforcing NCACC’s commitment to serving North Carolina’s 100 counties.
A session featuring remarks from Josh Dobson, president and CEO of the North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA), aligned closely with President Nelson’s newly launched initiative, NC Counties Care: Access Within Reach. Dobson addressed the rising cost of health care and the ongoing challenges related to rural access to care. These issues are central to the initiative’s focus on building stronger partnerships to improve local health outcomes. The discussion highlighted opportunities for future collaboration between counties and the NCHA to expand their collective impact across underserved communities.
The board also participated in strategic planning sessions, financial and policy briefings, and received updates from NCACC Executive Director Kevin Leonard and senior leadership. Members approved minutes from the previous meeting and discussed key advocacy priorities for the year ahead, including updates on Association initiatives, financial reports, and a government relations and steering committee report.
The board held a business session that included updates from NCACC’s executive leadership team: President Nelson; President-Elect and Hoke County Commissioner Allen Thomas; First Vice President and Ashe County Commissioner Todd McNeill; Second Vice President and Wake County Commissioner Shinica Thomas; and Past President and Warren County Commissioner Tare Davis.
The meeting concluded with President Nelson outlining his presidential initiative and encouraging continued collaboration among county leaders to address shared challenges and opportunities. For more information about the NCACC, the 2025-26 board members and its initiatives, visit ncacc.org.
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NC Counties Care: Access Within Reach is the 2025-2026 presidential initiative of NCACC President and Perquimans County Commissioner Wallace Nelson, focused on expanding health care access in rural and underserved communities through local partnerships and collaborative solutions. For more information, click here.