Burgaw-based Four County EMC recognized the retirement of East Pender District Director Bertice L. Lanier during a ceremony at the 2025 Brighter Future Summit on April 2.

Hosted by North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley, the summit brought together cooperative leaders from across the state to celebrate innovation, leadership and lifelong service, according to a news release.

Lanier joined the Four County EMC Board of Directors in 1985 and held several key leadership roles over his tenure, including board secretary/treasurer and board vice president.

Lanier also represented Four County EMC with distinction at the state and industry level, serving on the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives (NCAEC) Nominating Committee in 2008, 2012 and 2017 and as committee chairman in 2020, the release stated. He also served on the Tarheel Electric Membership Association (TEMA) Board of Directors from 2009 to 2020, including roles as secretary/treasurer (2013–2014), vice president (2015–2017) and president (2018).

A retirement dinner and presentation were held in Lanier’s honor during the summit. Board President and West Duplin District Director S. Franklin Williams presented Lanier with a formal board resolution of appreciation, according to the release.

"Williams expressed the board’s heartfelt gratitude for Mr. Lanier’s leadership and steadfast commitment to the cooperative," the release stated.

Lanier was also presented with a custom portrait.

A new East Pender District Director will be elected during the Four County EMC annual meeting Oct. 6.