WINSTON-SALEM — Longtime Robeson County Commissioner Noah Woods has been inducted into the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ Hall of Fame.

“Mr. Noah well deserves this honor, ” said Jerry Stephens, the current chairman of the Robeson County Board of Commissioners. “You won’t find anyone more respected on the state level.”

Woods, a retired Robeson County educator, has been a member of the county Board of Commissioners since 1990, serving several of those years as the board’s chairman. According to a statement from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, he is currently one of the longest serving county commissioners in the state.

He was inducted on Saturday.

Woods was the NCACC president in 2003 and 2004, and from 2010 until recently when he decided not to seek re-election to the position. He has served on the board of directors for the National Association of Counties.

“He is an outstanding commissioner,” said Robeson County Manager Ricky Harris. “On the county board he serves both the people in and outside of his district … He is an outstanding individual, excellent chairman and excellent member of the board.”

Woods joined two other commissioners in receiving the honor during the association’s 109th annual conference in Winston-Salem, Kitty Barnes of Catawba County and Kenneth Edge of Cumberland County.

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, individual commissioners must have been actively involved with the association, including serving as member of its board of directors. Hall of Fame commissioners must also have made significant contributions to county government at either the state or county levels, such as serving in a leadership role with the National Association of Counties.

Stephens, who replaced Woods as chairman of the Robeson County Board of Commissioners at the beginning of this year, said that it has “been an honor” to follow Woods as chairman.

“I have learned a lot over my 10 years on the board from watching Mr. Noah,” he said. “… He has always conducted himself in a very professional and honorable manner. He has never been a person to cause trouble. He is very patient and knows how to talk to people.”

Woods’ son Aaron said that he admires and respects his father for all he has done over the years to help make Robeson County a better place for all of its residents.

“He never seeks attention for himself or brags about what he has done or accomplished,” he said. “…We had a recent conversation and he told me that he is going to continue to work for the people of Robeson County for as long as he can.”

Harris said that the local board plans to honor Woods for the Hall of Fame recognition at an upcoming board meeting.

The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners is considered the official voice of all 100 North Carolina counties on issues being considered by the state General Assembly, U.S. Congress and agencies at both the state and federal levels. The association provides expertise to counties in the areas of advocacy, research, risk management and education and leadership training.

Robeson County Commissioner Noah Woods, left, is honored as a new inductee into the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ Hall of Fame by the association’s president, Pitt County Commissioner Glen Webb.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Woods_cmyk-1.jpgRobeson County Commissioner Noah Woods, left, is honored as a new inductee into the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ Hall of Fame by the association’s president, Pitt County Commissioner Glen Webb.

By Bob Shiles

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Bob Shiles can be reached at 910-416-5165.