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Owen Thomas

Title: Mayor Pro Tem

Municipality: City of Lumberton

Position Interested In: Second Vice President

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Tell us why you would like to serve in a leadership position at the League. In particular, specify goals you would like to accomplish as an officer or board member and indicate how, if attained, they will help to achieve Vision 2030 – the League’s future vision of how cities and towns will operate in 2030.

I'm very familiar with the 2030 vision's pillars and principals and love them! I am an advocate of promoting and working toward the success of this vision. I will continue to support it as much as possible. I am in a rural area of the state that has been affected not only by devastating hurricanes but also the loss of various industry over the years. I believe we must embrace opportunities to attract new businesses and jobs, educate our youth in technical skills, and improve our quality of life overall. We have to provide opportunities and resources that will attract millennials and Gen Zs to our communities. I have relationships with many legislators and lobbyists at the state and federal level. I do my best to link NCLM staff with these decision-makers on our legislative priorities.

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Tell us about your experience as a municipal official. You may want to include information on your service on the municipal governing body, other related boards and special areas of interest.

I believe my time on council has been unique to say the least. When elected, I wasn't aware of the true impact of the devastating Hurricane that had recently hit our community. I am learning daily that the rippling effects are massive especially when you experience two in a very short period of time. And now as I learn to live in this new normal post COVID-19, I continue answer the call of duty to serve my community, city, and state. I believe the City of Lumberton's relationship with the NCLM has helped us through each recovery. Rose Vaughn Williams and her team have actively lobbied to ensure our issues, such as infrastructure, are at the forefront of the conversation and we are very thankful.

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Tell us about your educational background, professional experience, and/or community or civic activities. 

I earned my MBA and have taught in the school of business at UNC Pembroke. I am an insurance agent and realtor, by trade. I am involved with the Independent Insurance Agents of NC and serve on their legislative committees. I am originally from the Raleigh metro area, so I believe I bring a unique perspective of both the rural and metro mindset, especially from a millennial viewpoint. I was selected as a Fayetteville Observer 40 under 40. I was chosen to join the Hunt State Policy Fellows program with leaders across the state. I am a graduate of Leadership North Carolina.

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See bio.

 

Have You Participated in Any NCLM Events or Committees? 

  • CityVision Annual Conference

  • Town & State Dinner or Town Hall Days

  • Legislative Goals Planning Events or Process

  • Regional Meetings

  • Legislative Lobby Days

  • NCLM Policy Committee member

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Please provide any other information you would like the Nominations Committee to consider.

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  • Click here to view all Letters of Recommendation for Owen Thomas.

    • Council Member Jonathan Melton, Raleigh, Letter of Recommendation

    • Executive Director David Richardson, LRCOG, Letter of Recommendation

    • Former Mayor Melinda Bales, Huntersville, Letter of Recommendation

    • Mayor Bruce Davis, Lumberton, Letter of Recommendation

    • Mayor Charles Cummings, Pembroke, Letter of Recommendation

    • Mayor Hardy, Kinston, Letter of Recommendation

    • Mayor Leonardo Williams, Durham, Letter of Recommendation

    • Mayor Preston Blakely, Fletcher, Letter of Recommendation

    • Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Keefe Jensen, Fayetteville, Letter of Recommendation

    • Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton, Durham, Letter of Recommendation

    • Representative Brenden H. Jones, Letter of Recommendation

    • Representative Dan Bishop, Letter of Recommendation

    • Representative David Rouzer, Letter of Recommendation

    • Representative Jarrod Lowery, Letter of Recommendation

    • Representative Richard Hudson, Letter of Recommendation

    • Senator Danny Earl Britt, Letter of Recommendation

    • Senator Dave Craven, Letter of Recommendation

    • Senator Todd Johnson, Letter of Recommendation

    • Senator Vickie Sawyer, Letter of Recommendation

  • Southern City Article featuring Owen Thomas

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