The Wake County Board of Commissioners today unanimously appointed Harold H. Webb to fill the District 5 seat vacated by former Commissioner Vernon Malone. Malone resigned his position after 18 years in office when he was sworn into the North Carolina Senate on January 29.
Webb, Malone's campaign manager in his run for the Senate and a lobbyist in the General Assembly, was nominated as Malone's replacement in voting by the Wake County Democratic Party's Executive Committee on Saturday, February 1. Webb's term of office extends through 2004.
In comments at today's Commissioners' meeting, Malone spoke glowingly of his successor.
"You are getting someone who has a knack for getting things organized," Malone said to the Board. "I encourage you to take full advantage of his expertise."
A World War II veteran and Greensboro native, Webb has a rich and illustrious career in public service. He is a former chair of the Wake County Planning Board, State Personnel Director, and Deputy State Superintendent with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. A graduate of N.C. A&T State University, where he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees, Webb was awarded a Doctor of Humanities by N.C. A&T.
Webb's other awards and honors include being named Tar Heel of the Week by The News & Observer; Distinguished Service Award, St. Augustine's College and Shaw University; and National Alumni Achievement Award, N.C. A&T State University.
Webb said he appreciated the Board's confidence in him and said he looks forward to serving.
"I welcome the opportunity to work hard and work effectively together with my fellow Board members to address the issues facing the citizens of Wake County," he said. "It is an honor to be asked to succeed someone like Vernon Malone, and I will devote my time and energy to ensuring we meet the needs of all our citizens."
Webb is a former schoolteacher and principal and serves on the University of North Carolina Board of Governors as well as the Shaw University and Wake Technical Community College Boards of Trustees. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Public Health.
He is currently vice chair of Wake Health Services, Inc., and a former vice chair of the North Carolina and Wake County branches of Senior Democrats. Webb is also executive director of the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Historical Foundation, Inc.
He and his wife, Lucille, live in Raleigh and attend St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. They have one grown daughter, attorney Kaye R. Webb.