Home Local News Robinette appointed to state council by Gov. Cooper

Robinette appointed to state council by Gov. Cooper

RALEIGH — Neil Robinette is one of three people recently appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to the N.C. Interagency Coordinating Council for Children from Birth to Five with Disabilities.

Robinette is CEO of C.F. Smith Property Group and father to a disabled daughter, according to the press release.

His youngest daughter, who just turned 2, was born with profound hearing loss. She has since received cochlear implants, which have helped her be able to hear, he said.

“She’s doing great and we’ve had the great fortune of being able to get her with good medical providers,” he said, adding that she is now understanding speech and “starting to say a few words, herself.”

Robinette said that state agencies have been helpful to the family in providing resources.

“Whatever value that we can add to the state to help support other families who are going through this is certainly something that we want to try to do,” Robinette said. “It’s definitely overwhelming going through this kind of thing, especially situations that are a lot more significant and severe than what we’ve gone through.”

According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health, the ICC: “brings policy makers, service providers, and parents together. It serves young children with disabilities and developmental delays, and their families. Its members work to ensure that the supports and services offered to families are in line with their needs.”

Robinette was recommended by Gene McLaurin.

The other two members appointed to the council are Dania M. Ermentrout of Greensboro and  Hannah L. Bridges of Weaverville, both of whom also have disabled children.

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Last year, Robinette was named one of the 19 2020 Trailblazers by Business North Carolina.

Cooper also made appointments to the North Carolina 911 Board, Clean Water Management Trust Fund, State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners, N.C. Council for Women, Historic Hillsborough Commission, N.C. Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, N.C. State Museum of Natural Sciences Advisory Committee, NCWorks Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, Social Services Commission, Southern Regional Education Board, Youth Advisory Council, North Carolina Zoological Park Council, and the boards of trustees for Alamance and Craven community colleges.

Cooper has made at least a dozen appointments involving individuals from Richmond County since taking office. They include:

  • Sheriff James Clemmons – N.C. Juvenile Justice Planning Committee, Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice
  • Monty Crump – N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission(now serves as vice chair)
  • Gene McLaurin – Economic Development Partnership of N.C. (now serves as vice chair)
  • William R. “Bill” Webb – Rural Infrastructure Authority of N.C. Commerce
  • Dr. John Stevenson, Melanie Carroll and Robert Lee Wallace – Richmond Community College Board of Trustees
  • Dr. Cindy Goodman – N.C. School of Science and Math Board of Trustees
  • Ken Goodman – N.C. Industrial Commission
  • Steve Futrell and Dawn Layton – Superior Court
  • County Manager Bryan Land – N.C. Forestry Advisory Council
  • Maddie Ash – N.C. Respiratory Care Board

 (Note: This article has been edited to correct a mistake by the governor’s press office and to add quotes by Robinette.)



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