Sept. 19. Wayne Wilkins, the former CEO of Energy United, has been awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Gov. Roy Cooper. The award was presented on Thursday to Wilkins by EnergyUnited Board Chairman Dr. Max Walser, who is also a past recipient of the award, at the cooperative’s headquarters in Statesville.

Background

Since 1963, North Carolina’s governors have reserved their highest honor, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, for persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments.

More than 50 years

Wilkins joined the cooperative in 1971 when it was operating as the former Davidson Electric Membership Corporation and served for 16 years as the executive vice president. In this role, he was part of the leadership team that spearheaded the effort to consolidate Crescent and Davidson EMCs to form EnergyUnited in October 1998.

In addition to his service to EnergyUnited members, Wilkins also served on the board of directors of the Davidson County Economic Development Commission, UNC Charlotte EPIC Advisory Board, E-4 Carolina Board, the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation board and the board of the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives.