TITLE
Title
RECOGNIZE GUILFORD COUNTY LEADERSHIP AND DEPARTMENTS ON NACo AND NCACC ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Chairman Melvin "Skip" Alston
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BACKGROUND
Background
During the 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference held July 17-20, 2026 Both Guilford County Leadership and Departmental programs received national recognition for their achievements.
NACo Past President J.D. Clark, recognized Commissioner Carly Cooke for her 2025-26 service as Vice Chair of the Mid-Size County Caucus. Subsequently, incoming NACo President George Dunlap appointed Commissioner Cooke to expand her leadership role and serve as Chair of the National Mid-Size County Caucus for the 2026-2027 term. In this role she will help advance policies impacting local governments and facilitate peer to peer discussions on challenges and opportunities facing counties across the United States.
NACo Past President, J.D. Clark, also recognized Commissioner Kay Cashion for her 2025-26 service as Vice Chair of the Arts & Culture Innovation Council and her leadership in advancing awareness of the value and impact of arts and culture programs. Her work has highlighted how these programs enhance the quality of life, support job creation and serve as a powerful drivers of economic growth and vitality.
Additionally, Guilford County Board members were selected for the following NACo leadership, policy and committee assignments for the 2026-27 term:
• District 5 Commissioner Carly Cooke: Appointed President of the Mid-Size Caucus, member of NACo Board of Directors, reappointed to Human Services and Education Policy Steering Committee
• At Large Commissioner Kay Cashion: Reappointed Vice Chair of Arts & Culture Innovations Council, Member of the Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC), Member of Resilient Counties Innovation Council, Member of Veterans and Military Services Advisory Council, member of Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee
• District 6 Commissioner Brandon Gray-Hill: Member of the Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC)
• District 4 Commissioner Mary Beth Murphy: Reappointed to Immigration Advisory Council
• District 2 Commissioner Alan Perdue: Reappointed to Telecommunications and Technology Policy Steering Committee
• District 3 Commissioner Pat Tillman: Reappointed to Veterans and Military Services Advisory Council
5 Guilford County programs were also selected for national achievement awards in innovation:
• Guilford County Budget Town Hall Series (General Achievement Award), presented in the Civic Education and Public Information category
• Friends in Action SNAP/Medicaid Series (General Achievement Award), presented in the Human Services category
• Guilford County Public Health - Community Shield Program (General Achievement Award), presented as the 2026 National Association of Counties and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Model Practice Award Winner
• Statewide MWBE Impact Study (General Achievement Award), presented in the Community and Economic Development category
• The Melvin “Skip” Alston Golf Classic Supporting Homeless Initiative (General Achievement Award), presented in the Community and Economic Development and GAGC Community Impact Award category
Guilford County Commissioners also received statewide recognition for their years of service and were reappointed to key positions within the NC Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) during its Annual Conference held August 20-22, 2026.
At-Large Commissioner Kay Cashion was inducted into the NCACC Hall of Fame in recognition of her distinguished leadership, statewide and national advocacy for local government initiatives and public service.
Commissioners were selected for the following NCACC leadership roles:
• District 8 Chairman Melvin "Skip" Alston: Appointed as At-Large member on the NCACC Board of Directors, reappointed as 1st Vice President of NC Association of Black County Officials (NCABCO)
• District 1 Vice Chairwoman J. Carlvena Foster: Reappointed as President of NCABCO
• District 5 Commissioner Carly Cooke: Reappointed to NCACC Board of Directors
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Recognize Guilford County leadership and Departments on both State and National Achievements.
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