The National Association of Counties (NACo) has honored five individuals from New Hanover County, including Commissioners Jonathan Barfield and Rob Zapple, by appointing them to serve on various boards and committees within the organization, according to a news release.

"NACo oversees 31 different committees, caucuses, task forces and advisory boards each year," the release stated. "These groups and their associated subcommittees conduct research and collect information to help advocate for local government issues at the federal level."

Barfield has been reappointed to the Transportation Policy Steering Committee, having been a member since 2009-10.

Zapple will be part of four NACo committees, including the Environment, Energy and Land Use Policy Steering Committee, which he has been a part of for eight years and will serve as a vice dhair. He has also been reappointed to the Arts and Culture Commission, the Healthy Counties Initiative Advisory Board and the Resilient Counties Advisory Board.

New Hanover County Manager Chris Coudriet has been asked to serve again on the Resilient Counties Advisory Board, the Information Technology Standing Committee, the International Economic Development Task Force and the Healthy Counties Advisory Board, the release stated. 

Additionally, New Hanover County Intergovernmental Affairs Manager Tim Buckland has been appointed to the Finance, Pensions and Intergovernmental Affairs Policy Steering Committee, and Cape Fear Museum Director Kate Baillon has been appointed to the Arts and Culture Commission, according to the release.

Each of these committees will meet remotely once a month before convening in Washington D.C. for the NACo Legislative Conference from March 1-4, 2025, and again at the NACo Annual Conference from July 11-14, 2025, in Philadelphia.