GREENVILLE – Congrats goes to Wallace E. Nelson of Perquimans County who was sworn in this past weekend as President of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) during the Association’s 118th Conference in Greenville, marking a new chapter of leadership for the statewide organization.
Nelson deserves this honor, leadership role — a good guy — and this is a BIG DEAL for Northeastern NC. Swearing in photo credit — long before sunrise, I saw Tammy Lee posted this photo of Nelson being sworn-in — left on the Bible to make it official.
Back to the story — the NCACC, which brings together county commissioners from all 100 North Carolina counties, serves as a unified voice for local government at the state and national levels. Its Board of Directors and Executive Committee make policy decisions that guide the Association’s staff and members throughout the year. The board is made up of five officers, 18 district directors, elected members of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Board of Directors, up to five at-large commissioners, several ex-officio committee chairs, and up to five past presidents who continue to serve while holding office in their home counties.
Nelson, a Perquimans County native, brings decades of public service and professional leadership to his new statewide role. A graduate of the College of the Albemarle and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he began his career in education and health before moving into elected service. Nelson served four terms on the Perquimans County Board of Education, where he became widely recognized for his advocacy for students and schools. During that time, he earned the Raleigh Dingman Award, the highest honor presented to a school board member by the North Carolina School Boards Association.
Following his tenure in education leadership, voters in Perquimans County elected Nelson as a County Commissioner, a role he continues to hold. Over the years, Nelson has been an active voice in statewide policymaking, serving on numerous committees within NCACC and stepping into the position of President-Elect in 2024 before officially assuming the presidency this weekend.
His service record extends well beyond the county and association levels. Over the years, Nelson has been appointed by several North Carolina governors to positions on the College of the Albemarle Board of Trustees, the North Carolina Marine Industrial Authority, as well as multiple councils, institutes, and legislative study commissions. In addition, he has been a member of the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy for the past 15 years, following his election to the role by the state’s pharmacists.
In recognition of his service, Nelson has received some of North Carolina’s highest honors. Former Governor Beverly Perdue awarded him the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine, an award reserved for individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the state and their communities.
Professionally, Nelson has also made his mark in the healthcare field. He has worked for ECU Health Bertie Hospital and ECU Health Chowan Hospital for more than 40 years, with 37 years in management. His career began in retail pharmacy before transitioning to the hospital system, where he continues to serve both facilities with a focus on community health and access to care.
In his remarks during the swearing-in ceremony, Nelson emphasized collaboration and commitment to public service as the guiding principles of his presidency. “Counties are where government meets the people,” he said. “Together, we have the responsibility to strengthen our communities, advocate for local voices in Raleigh and Washington, and ensure that the needs of North Carolinians are met at every level.”
As President, Nelson will work closely with county commissioners across the state, leading efforts on key issues such as infrastructure, public health, education, and economic development. He will also represent North Carolina counties on a national stage through NACo, ensuring that the concerns of rural and urban counties alike are heard in federal policy discussions.
With a career spanning education, healthcare, and government service, Nelson’s installation as NCACC President reflects his long-standing dedication to building stronger communities and serving the people of North Carolina.