Al King among those honored at Chamber of Commerce awards banquet
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on January 27, 2017 8:31 AM
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Former Goldsboro Mayor Al King speaks after being named the recipient of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce's Cornerstone Award Thursday night.
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From left: Chamber Ambassador of the Year Jeremy May, Cornerstone Award winner Al King, and Kathy Cornelison of Carolina Pine Country Store, winner of the Small Business of the Year Award. Not pictured: Dr. Ed Wilson, winner of the Ollie Toomey Volunteer Service Award, and Flora Debrick of Anytime Fitness, winner of the Startup Business of the Year Award.
A longstanding community leader who has given his life to public service was presented with the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce's most prestigious award Thursday.
Former Goldsboro mayor Al King received the 2017 Cornerstone Award during the chamber's annual banquet at the Goldsboro Event Center.
The award is presented annually to an individual who has committed a lifetime of service for the betterment of Wayne County.
"He is a true gentleman," said Mayor Chuck Allen. "He is a true North Carolinian, and he's a true American."
King, who served as mayor from 2002 to 2015, was recognized for his leadership in the city, the state and country.
King's life has been surrounded by accolades, starting in high school when he was named the Best All Around Student. He is a decorated military veteran who served 20 years in the Air Force, worked 21 years for the city of Goldsboro and served 14 years as mayor.
King, who said he wasn't sure if he was worthy of the chamber's honor, credited his successes to others, God, and a Boy Scout leader who told him at a young age that he would one day become a great man.
"It's a tremendous honor," King said. "I love this city. I love this county, and I've been fortunate to work in government for almost 60 years, and I've worked at every level -- the county, the city, the state and the feds -- so I am a public servant.
"When you surround yourself with the best you can find and they are dedicated with you and you're all pulling in the same direction, you can accomplish anything, and I'm living proof of that."
As mayor, he was instrumental in leading efforts to rebuild the Paramount Theatre, after the former building was destroyed by fire. He was at the forefront of the downtown streetscape project. Under his leadership, the city completed the construction of the new W.A. Foster Center.
King has served in state leadership positions, including his appointment to the N.C. Military Affairs Commission, membership with the N.C. Metropolitan Mayors Coalition and nearly 25 years on the board of the N.C. League of Municipalities, a nonpartisan advocacy and service association for North Carolina cities and towns.
King received the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2010, and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the most prestigious awards presented by the governor, in 2011.
King, a 1952 Carver High School graduate and Wayne County native, served in the Air Force from 1956 to 1976 in staff and command positions, and received the Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Bronze Star.
Also presented during the annual banquet was the Ollie Toomey Volunteer Service Award that was given to Dr. Ed Wilson.
The award is named in honor of the chamber's former executive director of 21 years, Ollie Toomey, and presented to someone who has served the chamber above and beyond the call of duty.
"This year's winner has spent many years spearheading countless projects and initiatives for the chamber," said Neal Benton, 2016 chamber chairman.
"This person has show an exceptional commitment to the chamber and has helped the chamber reach its goals year after year. For the past 22 years, this year's honoree has been committed to the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce on all fronts."
Wilson helped form Wayne Education Network and has been instrumental in the Chamber's Total Resource Campaign, bringing in $18,000 in sponsorships in 2016.
He served on the governmental affairs committee, is the former chairman of the Eastern Region of Chambers of Commerce and is an active member of the military affairs committee.
Wayne Community College Small Business Center Awards were also presented. Anytime Fitness received the Small Business Startup of the Year Award and Carolina Pine Country Store received the Small Business of the Year Award.
The chamber's Ambassador of the Year Award was presented to Jeremy May.
"From the moment this individual joined the ambassador team in 2016, they have proven to be dedicated to the chamber and its mission to serve its members and community" Benton said.
"This year's ambassador of the year is a true leader who wants nothing more than to grow our business community and see each business he comes into contact with succeed."
Benton shared some of the chamber's successes during the past year before turning the leadership post over to John Best. Best, a financial adviser with Gunnett and Best Financial Group of Wells Fargo, is the chamber's 2017 board chairman.