ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County Manager Bryan Land has been appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to the N.C. Forestry Advisory Council.
The announcement was made in a press release Monday featuring a host of appointments by the governor to various boards and councils.
Land, who has been county manager since 2017, began working with the county as public works director in 2010.
Land describes himself as an “avid outdoorsman,” saying he enjoys “the limited time I get to spend in the beautiful forestlands” the state and Richmond County have to offer.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve on the council, it is a great opportunity,” Land said. “I am honored to be chosen by Gov. Cooper and all of the other individuals that supported the appointment. This is the first state appointment I have been chosen for.”
Land said his family has been involved with timberland management and conservation for generations, “managing many acres for the production of longleaf pine straw and saw timber.”
“I am a strong advocate for the timber industry in (North Carolina,” which he added contributes $1 billion annually to the state’s economy. “I feel my lifelong experiences in timberland management and forestry conservation will be an asset to the Council(.) I am looking forward to serving.”
Cooper’s announcement also included appointments to the: Advanced Energy Board of Directors; African American Heritage Commission; North Carolina Appraisal Board; North Carolina Boxing Commission; North Carolina Building Code Council; North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges; North Carolina Courts Commission; North Carolina Credit Union Commission; North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission; Executive Mansion Fine Arts Committee; Governor’s Advisory Council on Film, Television, and Digital Streaming; Governor’s Advisory Council on Hispanic/Latino Affairs; Historic Bath Commission; North Carolina Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors; North Carolina Humanities Council; North Carolina Interagency Coordinating Council for Children from Birth to Five with Disabilities; North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy; North Carolina Medical Board; North Carolina Military Affairs Commission; Morehead City Navigation and Pilotage Commission; Permanency Innovation Initiative Oversight Committee; North Carolina Plant Conservation Board; North Carolina Psychology Board; North Carolina Real Estate Commission; Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees; Task Force for Safer Schools; Tobacco Trust Fund Commission; Tryon Palace Commission; North Carolina Veterans Affairs Commission; and North Carolina Water Treatment Facility Operators Certification Board.
“Having great talent on our boards and commissions is critical to North Carolina’s economy, health and communities,” Cooper said in a statement. “I appreciate these appointees for using their skills and expertise to help improve our state.”
Land makes the 11th appointment from Richmond County made by Cooper since he became governor.
The others are:
- Sheriff James Clemmons – N.C. Juvenile Justice Planning Committee
- 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 and Melanie Carroll – 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
“It is truly amazing that we have been able to land 11 individuals from Richmond County on various boards and Commissions serving our state,” Land said.
