Pitt County, N.C. – Federal and state legislators, county commissioners and staff, Heroic Hands honorees, and YouthVoice delegates from across North Carolina gathered at the Greenville Convention Center for the 118th North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Annual Conference, held August 21-23, 2025. The event featured educational workshops, dynamic speakers, networking opportunities, off-site tours and celebrations recognizing the outstanding work of county leaders and partners across the state.
Themed around the importance of access to essential services in counties, the conference concluded with the installation of new NCACC leadership and the announcement of a new presidential initiative.
The NCACC officially installed its 2025-2026 executive officers:
- Wallace Nelson, Perquimans County commissioner – President
- Allen Thomas, Hoke County commissioner – President-Elect
- Todd McNeill, Ashe County commissioner – First Vice President
- Shinica Thomas, Wake County commissioner – Second Vice President
- Tare “T.” Davis, Warren County commissioner – Immediate Past President
President Wallace Nelson announced his 2025-2026 presidential initiative: NC Counties Care: Access Within Reach. The initiative focuses on improving access to healthcare services across North Carolina, particularly in rural and underserved areas. It addresses pressing challenges counties face, such as hospital closures, the shrinking availability of primary care and the loss of local pharmacies and providers.
“Access to health care is not just a slogan — it’s a call to action,” President Nelson said. “From the mountains to the coast, we’re committed to working with providers and local leaders to ensure every North Carolinian can reach the care they need.”
During the conference, NCACC honored leaders and partners who made significant contributions to North Carolina counties:
- Distinguished Service Award:
- Rose Vaughn Williams, Executive Director of the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM), recognized for her extraordinary leadership and on behalf of the NCLM Board and staff
- Friend of the Counties Award:
- Senator Kevin Corbin
- Representative Julia Howard
- Hall of Fame Inductees:
- Joe Bryan, former Wake County commissioner
- Tracey Johnson, Washington County commissioner
- Richard Linville, Forsyth County commissioner
- M.H. “Jack” Brock Outstanding County Commissioner Award:
- David Allen, Randolph County commissioner
Keynote speakers include former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, who highlighted the urgent need for equitable access to health care, and Dr. Christopher Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, who discussed the people, policies, and political forces shaping North Carolina’s evolving landscape.
Other conference highlights include educational sessions, off-site tours, First Night Celebration hosted by NC Cooperative Extension, lunch with YouthVoice participants, the premier of the 100 Strong Productions’ documentary “Rising Above Helene: Western North Carolina’s Journey to Recovery,” the NCACC Annual Business Session, the President’s Banquet and New President’s Reception.Â
Nearly 650 attendees participated, reinforcing the conference’s role as a space for county leaders to connect, share ideas and collaborate on statewide challenges and opportunities.
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Editors: Print-quality photos may be downloaded for use from here. Photos should be credited as follows: Photo courtesy of NCACC.
