Each year NCEDA recognizes those who excel and shine. Our annual awards celebrate the people and projects moving our state forward – from emerging leaders to career-defining deals.
Recognizes an NCEDA member making significant and measurable contributions to their local community and the North Carolina economic development community as a whole.
Martie Butler
Richmond County Economic Development
2025: Crystal Gettys – Randolph County Economic Development
2024: Kelly Andrews – Pitt County Economic Development
2024: Page Castrodale – Cabarrus Economic Development Corporation
2023: Marvin Price – Greensboro Chamber of Commerce
2022: Irena Krstanovic – Holly Springs Economic Development
2021: Leigh Cockram – Rockingham County Economic Development
2020: Bob Joyce – Sanford Area Growth Alliance
2019: Michael Haley – Wake County Economic Development
2018: Norris Tolson – Carolinas Gateway Partnership
2017: Wanda Yuhas – Pitt County Development Commission
2016: Chris Platé – Monroe-Union County Economic Development
2015: Sandy Dunbeck – High Point Economic Development Corporation
2013: Terry Bralley – Davie County Economic Development Commission
2012: Sam Powers – City of Asheville
2011: Tom Johnson – Rutherford County Economic Development Corporation
2011: Mark Pope – Lenoir County Economic Development Department
2010: Don Porter – Raeford-Hoke County Economic Development Commission
2010: Scott Millar – Catawba County Economic Development Corporation
2009: Donny Hicks – Gaston County Economic Development Commission
2008: Joanna Thompson – Wayne County Development Alliance
2007: Ken Atkins – Wake County Economic Development
2006: Jane Smith – North Carolina Southeast Partnership
2005: Mac Williams – Alamance County Chamber of Commerce
2004: Johnny Rogers – Martin County Economic Development Commission
Recognizes a member who is a new leader in economic development making significant, measurable contributions to their community and North Carolina economic development.
Baylee Fox
Hickey Global Economic Development Consulting
2025: Trey Cash – North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region
2024: Elizabeth Underwood – Director of Economic Development for Stanly County
2023: Charla Duncan – Warren County Economic Development Commission
2022: Sam Rauf – Wake County Economic Development
2021: Alyssa Byrd – Lee & Associates
2020: Dr. Laura Rowley – NC Biotechnology Center
2018: Marvin Price – Charlotte Regional Partnership
2017: Garrett Owens – Winston-Salem Business Inc.
Recognizes up to three NCEDA members from three different sized communities who achieved a significant project.
Small Market
Josh Carpenter
Eco King Solutions (Mountain West Partnership)
Mid-Size Market
Julie Graham
Prolec GE Waukesha (NC Global TransPark Economic Development Region)
Large Market
Joanna Helms
NC Children’s Hospital (Apex Economic Development)
2025 Small Market Deal of the Year – Oppie Jordan (Carolinas Gateway Partnership, Natron Energy)
2025 Mid-Size Market Deal of the Year – Jennifer Lantz (Johnson & Johnson, Wilson Economic Development Council)
2025 Large Market Deal of the Year – Josh Hallingse (FedUp Foods, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce)
2024 Small Market Deal of the Year – Gary Lanier (Provalus, Columbus County)
2024 Mid-Size Market Deal of the Year – Dylan Finch and Marvin Price (Marshall Aerospace, Guilford County)
2024 Large Market Deal of the Year – Kevin Franklin (Toyota, Randolph County)
2023 Small Market Deal of the Year – Burton Hodges (Pisgah Labs, Transylvania County)
2023 Mid-Market Deal of the Year – Peter Bishop and David Yonkovich-Putnam (Steri-Tek, Alamance County)
2023 Large Market Deal of the Year – Michael Smith (Wolfspeed, Chatham County)
2022 Small Market Deal of the Year – Josh Hallinsge (Raybow USA, Transylvania County)
2022 Mid-Market Deal of the Year – Kevin Franklin and Brent Christensen (Toyota, Randolph County)
2022 Large Market Deal of the Year – Ashley Cagle (Apple, Wake County)
Recognizes an NCEDA member for leadership on a unique and impactful initiative that overcomes a specific challenge or capitalizes on an opportunity.
Tiffany Henry
Jackson County Economic Development
2025: Blake Moyer – Surry County Economic Development Partnership
2024: Mary Lesa Pegg – Norfolk Southern
2023: Robert Van Geons – Fayetteville-Cumberland County Economic Development
NCEDA periodically recognizes an outstanding member for career achievement in economic development.
Brent Christensen
Greensboro Chamber of Commerce
Previous Honorees
2022: David Spratley, Maynard Nexsen (formerly with the NC Department of Commerce and EDPNC)
2019: Tony Copeland, Brooks Pierce (former Secretary, NC Department of Commerce)
NCEDA’s current Board President has the opportunity to recognize an outstanding member for career-long support of North Carolina’s economic development community.
Andrew Tate
Duke Energy Corporation
2025: Steve Yost – North Carolina’s Southeast
2024: Katherine Thomas – Alfred Williams and Company
2023: Donny Hicks – Gaston County Economic Development Commission
2022: Jim Fain – former Secretary, NC Department of Commerce
2021: Maureen Little – retired from the NC Community College System
2020: George Sherrill – retired from the NC Department of Commerce
2027 Award Nominations will open this spring. Check back in April to submit your nominations.
Contact Liz Dobbins-Smith with any questions:
liz@nceda.org or 888.246.2332.
