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Retired health director receives Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Henderson County Commissioner Bill Lapsley (left) on Tuesday presented retired Henderson County Health Department Director Steven E. Smith (right) with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award.

By Amy McCraw, Published: September 4, 2024

Retired Henderson County Health Department Director Steven E. Smith received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award Tuesday during a Henderson County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Commissioner Bill Lapsley presented Smith with the award signed by N.C. Governor Roy Cooper.
“This is a pretty significant accomplishment,” he said. “It’s well deserved.”
Rebecca McCall, the board’s chairwoman, also thanked Smith for his service to the community.
“He was here during some of the worst times during Covid. We spent a lot of time in this room discussing situations and making decisions together. We appreciate your guidance and your composure,” she said. “Enjoy your retirement.”
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, according to information on a website for the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society. Persons named to The Order become honorary North Carolina “Ambassadors” with their names and award dates recorded on a roster maintained by The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society.
For more information about the award, visit www.longleafpinesociety.org