Alexander, Neisler and Harris to Lead Organization Over Next Year
Salisbury Mayor Karen Alexander will lead the N.C. League of Municipalities as president over the next year, following her election earlier this week.
Alexander was chosen by representatives from cities and towns across North Carolina via electronic vote held over several days, with her selection announced at NCLM’s virtual conference, CityVision 2021, held Tuesday through Thursday. Joining Alexander as officers for the organization are Kings Mountain Mayor Scott Neisler and Fuquay-Varina Town Commissioner Bill Harris, first and second vice presidents, respectively, and Cary Town Council Member Jennifer Robinson as immediate past president.
CityVision 2021 included in-depth presentations and discussions of racial equity efforts, crisis communications, the federal American Rescue Plan and its potential impact on cities, cyber security, and ways cities can foster entrepreneurship. National League of Cities President and CEO Clarence Anthony served as the keynote speaker on Wednesday.
Alexander’s selection as president follows her service on the Salisbury City Council since 2013. She is now serving her second term as mayor. The president of KKA Architecture, Alexander has served on numerous civic, charitable and business-related boards, and has also been a guest lecturer at several universities in her capacity as an architect.
In her remarks at CityVision, Alexander encouraged her fellow municipal officials to bring people together and seek common purpose as they address challenges in their communities.
“We can and must, as an organization, find ways to address the challenges that we face in wholistic ways, by involving community partners and pulling everyone together to row in the same direction,” Alexander said.
League Executive Director Paul Meyer said Alexander’s background and commitment will serve NCLM well.
“We are fortunate to have public servants like Karen Alexander, who bring such a diversity of perspective to the role of mayor, and now will be doing the same as our organization’s president,” Meyer said.
In addition to NCLM officers, newly elected members of the Board of Directors, chosen for either a first term or additional second term, are: Council Member Brian Jackson, Jacksonville; Mayor Jody McLeod, Clayton; Council Member Satish Garimella, Morrisville; Commissioner Melinda Bales, Huntersville; Council Member Nellie Archibald, Wilkesboro; Council Member Phyllis Harris, Mount Holly; Mayor Lynda Sossamon, Sylva; Mayor Dontario Hardy, Kinston; Council Member Johnny Dawkins, Fayetteville; Council Member Nicole Stewart, Raleigh; Council Member Jeff MacIntosh, Winston-Salem; Manager Drew Havens, Duck; Manager Bob Boyette, Marion; and Police Chief Chris Beddingfield, Biltmore Forest.
About the League
The North Carolina League of Municipalities is a member-driven organization representing the interests of cities and towns in the state. Through their collective efforts, League member cities and towns better serve their residents and improve quality of life.
For more than 100 years, the League has been one voice for cities and town