Donna Girardot was recognized with The Order of The Long Leaf Pine Award, the highest award for state service granted by the Office of the Governor, according to a news release.

Girardot, New Hanover County Airport Authority chair and New Hanover County Planning Board chair, received the honor on Dec. 7.

The honor is for those "who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments," stated the release.

“Donna’s ability to be a consensus builder and bring people of differing views together is unparalleled and is what has helped her to stand out as a leader in this community,” said New Hanover County Board of Commissioners Chair and Airport Authority member Julia Olson-Boseman, in the release. “The State of North Carolina and New Hanover County have directly benefited from her commitment to make this a better place to live and grow, and her passion and dedication is as deep as anyone I have personally ever known.”

Girardot was appointed to the New Hanover County Airport Authority in 2015. She is now in her third year as chair of the airport authority – North Carolina’s first female airport authority chair.

"As chair, she absorbs information, analyzes options, and guides the $1.8 billion economic impact ILM has to the regional economy. Her expertise in Government Affairs and knowledge of the NC Legislature and budget process helped secure funding for ILM’s Terminal Expansion in two consecutive NCDOT funding bills, exceeding $19M for infrastructure funding," stated the release.

Girardot has been active in many other roles, including serving on the New Hanover County Planning Board for 16 years and as chair of the board twice; as the government affairs director for Cape Fear Realtors and as the executive director of the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association; and as the founder and CEO of Business Alliance for a Sound Economy, stated the release.

Girardot is a member of the UNCW Master’s in Public Administration Advisory Board, has served on the N.C. DENR Business & Industry Environmental Roundtable and has also served as a board member for the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.