Dontario Hardy

Title: Mayor

Municipality: City of Kinston

Position Interested In: At-Large - Elected Official

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 have currently been serving in the capacity of a board of director for the last few years advocating for what cities, towns and villages need most while showcasing the opportunities that NCLM provide for cities, towns and villages across NC!

I will continue to advocate for and push towards reaching and empowering North Carolina Citizens, expanding effectiveness and value of membership services, improving NCLM political positioning and Influence, bolstering leadership development of City Officials, while helping Build the League into a great place to work that is cohesive and highly efficient for the cities, towns and villages that we serve!

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.

Elected as Mayor of Kinston, NC in November of 2017

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

Attended Westwood College Online-1Year
Attended Mount Olive University 1-Year
Attended Lenoir Community College- BLET Academy
Attended Department of Defense Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy
Attending 2-A Schools-United States Navy
Attended multiple leadership courses at UNC School of Government
Member of King David Masonic Lodge #24
Member of Arabian Temple #42 Shriners
Member of M.L Walker Consistory #47 (32°)
President- Pitt Greenville Lodge #69 Fraternal Order of Police
Member American Legion Post #219
Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars
United States Navy Veteran
Mayor of the City of Kinston since 2017
Sworn Law Enforcement Officer Since 2006

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
Legislative Policy Committee
Affiliate Organizations: Immediate Past Chairman of NCMA, Board Member for NCBEMO, Board Member for NLC, Immediate Past Chairman of the Small Cities Council for NLC, Finance Committee Member for NLC, Business Council Member with USCM. NC Governor's Crime Commissioner Governor appointee and NC Global Transpark City of Kinston Appointment

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

Current Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the State of NC- NC Office of Recovery and Resilience/ NC Rebuild.. Representing Kinston and Goldsboro! Current Immediate Past Chair of North Carolina's Mayors Association, Current Immediate Past Chair of the Small Cities Council at the National League of Cities, Current Board of Directors member at the National League of Cities