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Carolinas
Chapter |
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In the Fall
of 1959, the ground work was laid for the formation of a new chapter of the American Right
of Way Association in North and South Carolina to be known as the Carolinas Chapter. Those
persons involved in the formation of the new chapter were from the North Carolina State
Highway Commission, the South Carolina State Highway Department, Duke Power Company, South
Carolina Electric and Gas Company, Bureau of Public Roads, Appraisers, Realtors,
Attorneys, and other companies and individuals who were interested in or allied with the
Right of Way profession. Much work was accomplished in the Fall of 1959 and the Winter of
1960 and on February 9, 1960, Carolinas Chapter No. 31 was chartered in Charlotte, North
Carolina at the Hotel Charlotte. In attendance at the meeting was Frank C. Balfour, founder of the Association, Fred Crane, National Chairman, and fourteen other pilgrims who came from all parts of the country to join in the chartering ceremonies of the new chapter. These men were members of the Executive Committee of the National Association or committeemen from the various national committees. Based on Chapter records, there were seventy-three charter members of the newly organized chapter with approximately fifty in attendance for the chartering. The first president of the chapter was Wallace D. Gibbs, Jr., a Fee Appraiser, from Charlotte, North Carolina. Other officers were I. H. Boinest, Vice President, Chief Right of Way Engineer of the South Carolina Electric & Gas Company, Columbia, South Carolina; Henry E. Bryant, Secretary and Treasurer, Fee Appraiser of Charlotte, North Carolina; and Eugene E. Manning, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, Construction Engineer with Piedmont Natural Gas Company of Charlotte, North Carolina. Twelve standing committees were appointed for the first year in addition to two National Directors. All of the above officers, directors and committeemen served until the fall meeting of the chapter held in Raleigh, North Carolina, in November, 1960. The chapter began with four meetings each year. Historically, election of officers has taken place at the fall meeting. Since the formation of the Chapter in 1960, there have been several outstanding members who have served the Chapter and the Region and have served on International Committees. The most outstanding member to emerge from the chapter is George Migett, past International President and International Professional of the Year. Chapter history was made in 2001 when Kent Winslow, past Chapter President, won the International Professional of the Year Award and Samantha Strangman won the Regional Professional of the Year Award. This was the first time our Chapter had won both awards in the same year. Other members of the Chapter have served with distinction as Regional Chairmen of Region 6 and also as chairmen and members of various International Committees. The Carolinas Chapter has hosted many Region 6 seminars. In addition to regional meetings our Chapter hosted a most successful International Seminar in Charlotte, NC in 1992. As one of the largest chapters in Region 6 and the Association, Chapter 31 generally has approximately 200 members. The chapter is unique in that it serves two states, North and South Carolina. Education and professionalism go hand in hand and Chapter 31 has been a leader in both areas. A strong education program has been the spark plug for one of the most active SR/WA programs in the Association with sixty-five registered senior members at the present time. Each year since 1973 a worthy member of Chapter 31 has been a recipient of the Calvin J. Hager memorial award as right of way professional of the year. We are proud of the many accomplishments of our chapter and look forward to new horizons in establishing a noteworthy Right of Way Association for professionals. |