Gaston County Chairman of the Board Donnie Loftis was named winner of the Outstanding County Commissioner Award for 2010-11 by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) during its 104th Annual Conference, which was held Aug. 18-21 in Cabarrus County. Chairman Loftis is the first commissioner from Gaston County to win the award.
“The purpose of this award is to recognize commissioners who do great work on behalf of counties beyond their own county boundaries, commissioners who give their time and energy to issues of statewide and national significance,” said NCACC Past President Joe Bryan of Wake County, who presented the award to Loftis on Aug. 20. “Donnie Loftis took on leadership roles both within the NCACC and within the National Association of Counties.
“He was tapped by me to lead one of our special task forces this year to examine the ways that counties can enhance the services we provide for our veterans and their families. His leadership ability was also recognized outside our state, because NACo President Glen Whitley asked him to lead a national task force on the same issue.”
Bryan said Loftis was the perfect choice to lead both task forces due to his extensive military experience. In June 2010, Loftis retired after a distinguished 30-year career in the North Carolina Army National Guard. He is serving his second term on the Gaston County Board of Commissioners and is their chairman this year.
The Outstanding County Commissioner Award has been presented annually since 1964. It is awarded in honor of M.H. “Jack” Brock, a former Harnett County commissioner who served as NCACC president in 1973-74 and who won the award in 1981. The award is presented each year during the Association’s Annual Conference.
A listing of all winners is available on-line at www.ncacc.org/awards/other/outstandingcc.html.
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The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) is the official voice of all 100 counties on issues being considered by the General Assembly, Congress and federal and state agencies. The Association provides expertise to counties in the areas of lobbying, fiscal and legal research, communications, intergovernmental relations, information technology, field visits and risk management services.