Two leaders in the Chatham County and Town of Chapel Hill governments — one outgoing and one who stepped away from elected office last year — each recently received statewide honors as recognition for their long-time service.
Former Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger was given the award of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine on Dec. 4, with a ceremony held at Chapel Hill Town Hall. The order is North Carolina’s highest honorary society given to those who make “significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments.” Hemminger, who left the town’s highest elected office at the end of 2023, served as Chapel Hill mayor for eight years and previously served four-year terms on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education and the Orange County Board of Commissioners. She also volunteered on several advisory boards and committees for both the town and community, like Chapel Hill’s Greenways Commission, the town’s Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Upper Neuse River Basin Authority,
Hemminger told Chapelboro it was an honor to be recognized with the award and to have so many people attend the ceremony in town.
“I have loved serving the community for over 38 years in so many different ways, from non-profits, to school board, county commissioners and then as mayor,” she said. “We have an amazing community and I am grateful to have been a part in helping create a more sustainable future for us all. Not being born in North Carolina, this was a tremendous milestone and tribute!”
Pam Hemminger (second from left) poses with Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson (far left), Lisa Kaylie (second from right) and Jeanne Brown (far right) at a ceremony for Hemminger’s induction ceremony into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. (Photo via Jeanne Brown.)
Hemminger was introduced by her successor as Chapel Hill mayor, Jess Anderson to start the ceremony.
“As a community advocate, an elected leader and a volunteer across many organizations,” said Anderson, “Pam has been making a difference for our community and our state. Throughout that time, she has gained a reputation as a leader who brings people together and whose passions include social justice, sustainability, and protecting the environment.”
Alongside a being able to lead the North Carolina Toast at events, members of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine receive a certificate signed by the North Carolina governor — which confers the recipient “the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary” representing the state with their civic leadership.
Additionally, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners honored outgoing Chatham County Manager Dan LaMontagne during its meeting on Monday, Dec. 16, by presenting him the Old North State Award. LaMontagne is retiring after 14 years with Chatham County, and 24 total years in state and local government, which qualified him for the service award meant to recognize those with “dedication and service beyond expectation and excellence to the Great State of North Carolina.”
Chatham County Manager Dan LaMontagne (center left) stands with the Chatham County Board of Commissioners during Monday’s meeting with his Old North State Award. (Photo via the Chatham County government.)
“Dan is a steady, positive, collaborative partner who always has the county’s best interest in mind,” wrote former Chatham County Board of Commissioners Chair Mike Dasher in the nomination letter for LaMontagne to earn the award. “Dan is a champion for commercial and industrial development in Chatham, and through his work we have welcomed not one but two major economic developments in VinFast and Wolfspeed as well as others.”
LaMontagne’s final day with Chatham County is set for Friday, Dec. 27. Assistant County Manager Bryan Thompson has been elevated into the lead manager role.
Another local leader from the Chapel Hill community also received induction into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine this week: former UNC men’s basketball coach Roy Williams. Gov. Roy Cooper held a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh on Thursday to honor Williams for his years of leading the Tar Heels as well as his philanthropy on UNC campus and around the state.
Additional details on the Order of the Long Leaf Pine and Old North State Awards, as well as other honors shared by the North Carolina Governor’s Office, can be found here.
Featured photos via the Town of Chapel Hill & The Chatham News + Record.
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