View the Full Conference Agenda
Over the past few years, North Carolina counties have been adapting, navigating, and transforming to meet the needs of and provide services for residents, and this year, we gather to continue forward with momentum. The three-day event will bring together attendees for an agenda of educational and training opportunities, engaging keynote speakers, and networking events to unite North Carolina’s county leaders and build on the momentum of the good work done by counties across the state.
Thursday, August 24
8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Check-In & Registration Desk Hours
9:00 - 11:15 a.m. Concurrent Session
Crisis Communications for County Commissioners; Dealing With the Media in an Emergency ➥ Read more // Presentation by Mark Weaver
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
- The Current Political Environment in North Carolina [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Dr. Christopher A. Cooper
- Lessons Learned from Moore County [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Jeff Brooks, David McNeill, and Nick Picerno
- The Road to Student Recovery: Covid Learning and Public Instruction Research and Evaluation Efforts [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Dr. Jeni Corn and Andrew Smith
- Wake County Farmland Preservation Program – Safeguarding Agriculture and Promoting Sustainable Growth [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Teresa Furr, Leigh Ann Hammerbacker, Loren Hendrickson, and Jenn Sandford
10:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Transition/Break
10:15 - 11:15 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
- Clean Energy, Land Use & Decommissioning [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Harrison Cole, NC Senator Steve Jarvis, and Maggie Sasser; Moderated by Chris Carmody
- How Your County Can Tap into North Carolina’s Hidden Workforce [file 1 // file 2] ➥ Read more // Presentation by William Doerfer, Chuck Heustess, and Kimberly Williams
- [Sponsor Session] Life-Changing Education Jackpot with the NC Lottery: Building New Schools [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by David Lyndon, Nathan Maune, Adam Owens, and Adam Pridemore
- Understanding Your County Finance Department: Building and Maintaining a Strong Fiscal Foundation [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Sharon Edmundson and Amy Cannon
11:15 - 11:30 a.m.
Transition/Break
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies and Speeches
12:15 - 1:15 p.m.
Networking Lunch
1:15 - 1:30 p.m.
Transition/Break
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Concurrent Session
2:30 - 2:45 p.m.
Transition/Break
2:45 - 3:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
- Resources and Assistance with the NC Opioid Settlement [file 1 // file 2] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Elizabeth Brewington, Samantha Jamison, Jill Rushing, and Nidhi Sachdeva
- Self-Government, Sovereignty, and Independence: The Intersection of the American Indians and Counties in North Carolina [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Dr. Danielle Hiraldo and Patrice C. Roesler
2:45 - 4:00 p.m. Off-Site Event
Great Raleigh Trolley Art Tour ➥ Read more // Presentation by Max Dowdle and Naomi Riley
4:15 - 5:30 p.m.
North Carolina Association of Black County Officials (NCABCO) Business Meeting
5:15 - 6:00 p.m.
Networking Reception
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
First Night Celebration // Hosted by N.C. Cooperative Extension
Friday, August 25
8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Check-In & Registration Desk Hours
9:00 - 9:15 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions
9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
[Keynote Presentation] Transformative Leadership: Inspiring Teams, Empowering Communities – A Conversation with Coach Moton ➥ Read more // Presentation by LeVelle Moton
10:15 - 10:45 a.m.
Break and Photo Opportunity with LeVelle Moton ➥ NOTE: Cell phones, purses, coats, or badges in hand are prohibited during photo op session. Photos can only be taken by designated photographer and will be distributed post-conference.
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
- County & Cooperative Extension Partnership to Further Food Security in NC: A Multi-County Panel [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Maurine Brown, Sandy Hall, Sydney Mierop, Mary Oxendine, and Heather Schaffer
- Ensuring Confidence in NC Elections: How Your County Can Help, Part I (Morning Session) – Trusted Elections Town Hall [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Paul Cox, Torry Crass, Angela Hawkins, and Bob Orr; Moderated by Jennifer Roberts
- Grants 101: An Introduction to the Process of Grant Writing and Management [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Ross Young and Matthew Wilson; Moderated by Lacy Pate
- Incarceration Reentry Programs and the Value of Community Partnership [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Dennis Aldridge, Danny Hampton, Jason Wallace, and Ashley Wooten
- The State of Risk: A Look at the Changing Risk Landscape for NC County Governments [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Charlie Eaton and Bill Bulfer
10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. – Association of County Clerks
- 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Executive Committee Meeting
- 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Business Meeting
11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Transition/Break
12:00 - 1:15 p.m.
- Networking Lunch
- County Managers’ Luncheon
- North Carolina Association of Black County Officials (NCABCO) Scholarship Banquet
1:15 - 1:30 p.m.
Transition/Break
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
- The County Role in Digital Inclusion Planning [file 1 // file 2] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Samantha Graham, Annette Taylor, and Maggie Woods
- Ensuring Confidence in NC Elections: How Your County Can Help, Part II: (Afternoon Session) – The Nuts and Bolts of County Election Administration and Election Best Practices [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Michael Dickerson, Kathy Holland, and Bob Orr; Moderated by Jennifer Roberts
- Housing Affordability: Challenges, Efforts and Outcomes [file 1 // file 2] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Matthew Cable, George Dunlap, Lorena D. McDowell, John Rebholtz, and Shinica Thomas
- [Sponsor Session] Cherokee to Currituck: North Carolina Communities Speak with Blue Cross Blue Shield [file] ➥ Read more
- Understanding Dynamic Cybersecurity Threats: Insights from the North Carolina National Guard Cyber Security Response Force [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Major Brian Glish and Kahmi Crocker
2:30 - 2:45 p.m.
Transition/Break
2:30 - 3:15 p.m.
YouthVoice Check-In
2:45 - 3:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
- [Sponsor Session] Looming Health Plan Threats and Mitigation Strategies with Mark III [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Mark Browder
- [Sponsor Session] NCIP: An Investment Option for Your County’s Liquidity ➥ Read more // Presentation by Anthony Fox, Karen Magness, and Don Warn
- Preparing Counties for CAB & How to Use the Connecting Counties Playbook [file // Connecting Counties Playbook] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Angie Bailey, Jeff Brooks, Nate Denny, Laurel Edwards, Stephanie Jane Edwards, and Tracey Johnson
2:45 - 5:00 p.m. Concurrent Off-Site Events
4:00 - 9:00 p.m.
YouthVoice Orientation and ‘Real Colors’ Training
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Connecting Counties Reception & Networking Social with Internet Service Providers [Connecting Counties Playbook]







6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
YouthVoice Dinner* *NOTE: This dinner is for youth delegates only.
Saturday, August 26
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Check-In & Registration Desk Hours
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Conference-Wide Youth Involvement Breakfast [file]
9:00 - 9:15 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions
9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
[Keynote Presentation] The Moral Obligation to Know Our Veterans [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Dr. Michael Haynie
10:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Transition/Break
10:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
YouthVoice Bottom Line! | Room 1 & Room 2
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
- Gaining Momentum with Public Transportation: Brer Rabbit Takes the Bus! ➥ Read more // Presentation by Tim Lowry
- Local Elected Leaders Academy Online Launch: NCACC & SOG Recognition of Leadership Development [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Claire Paulson and Cat Schmidt
- A Precursor to The Veteran’s Battlefield Premier Screening: Supporting Our Veterans [TRAILER] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Vickie Adamson, Rod Gilliam, Don Mial, Siobhan Norris, and James Shores; Moderated by Chris Baucom
- An Update on the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act [file] ➥ Read more // Presentation by Dr. Annie Izod
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Networking Lunch
12:00 - 12:30 p.m.
YouthVoice Lunch
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Documentary Screening — The Veteran’s Battlefield: A Story of North Carolina’s Veterans [TRAILER] ➥ Read more // Presentation by NCACC 100 Strong Productions
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Annual Business Session ➥ Meet the Candidates for 2nd Vice President
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
President’s Reception and Banquet
8:30 - 9:30 p.m.
New President’s Reception