Wesley Meredith

Wesley Alan Meredith (born December 22, 1963) is a former Republican Senator in the North Carolina General Assembly in the state's nineteenth Senatorial district. In 2018 he lost the election to Democrat Kirk DeViere. [1][2] The 19th district is made up of Cumberland County.

Senator

Wesley Meredith
Member of the North Carolina Senate
from the 19th district
In office
January 1, 2011 – January 1, 2019
Preceded byMargaret Dickson
Succeeded byKirk deViere
Personal details
Born
Wesley Alan Meredith

(1963-12-22) December 22, 1963
Tupelo, Mississippi
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceFayetteville, North Carolina
Alma materFayetteville Technical Community College
OccupationLandscape Contractor

Meredith was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he served in the 307th Engineer Battalion of the 82 Airborne Division. He left the military after nearly three years of service with an Honorable Discharge rank of Sergeant having received the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Achievement Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the NCO Professional Development Ribbon.[3]

After his service in the military, Wesley Meredith chose to stay in Fayetteville and make North Carolina his home. He put his years of experience doing the neighbors' lawns to the test, and officially opened his own business, Cardinal Landscaping. With a red pick up truck and some basic lawn equipment, that business has grown into what it is today.[4]

Prior to becoming a state senator in 2011, Meredith served on the Fayetteville City Council for three terms spanning from 2005 to 2010. From 2007 to 2009, Meredith held the position of Mayor Pro Tempore.

Meredith served on the following Senate standing committees: Appropriations on Department of Transportation (co-chair), Commerce (co-chair), Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources, Transportation, and Rules and Operations of the Senate.[5]

Legislative Awards and Recognitions

In October 2014, Senator Meredith was named "Legislator of the Year" by the N.C. Sustainable Energy Association for his "vocal support of clean energy policies" and his support for the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient Portfolio Standard, a program which requires the state's electrical power producers to utilize renewable sources for a proportion of their electricity generation, as well as the Renewable Energy Investment Tax Credit. Additionally, Meredith was recognized through the honor for his work with Fort Bragg to help take advantage of the renewable energy that is produced at the base.[6]

In September 2014, Meredith was recognized by the North Carolina State Firemen's Association for his efforts "maintaining necessary provisions for the State's fire service and firefighters". Additionally, he was praised by the association for support for firemen during a legislative study of services that provide benefits for firemen and fire departments in North Carolina. Meredith was presented with a plaque labeling him a "Friend of the Fire Service".[7]

In January 2014, Meredith was named "Legislator of the Year" by the Green Industry Council (GIC), an organization that represents more than 2500 landscaping and nursery small businesses. The award was given for what the Council described as Meredith continuing to be "diligent, thoughtful and sincere in advocating for, protecting and promoting small businesses in our state".[8]

In October 2015, Senator Meredith was presented with The Carolinas Concrete Paving Association "Good Roads Advocate Award". As co-chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees funding for the Department of Transportation, he was able to assist in finding more than $700 million in new revenue for state transportation needs, which represents a major increase in funding for road maintenance and new construction. The Carolinas Concrete Paving Association is an affiliate of the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA). Founded in 1963, ACPA is the world's largest trade association that exclusively represents the interests of those involved with the design, construction, and preservation of concrete pavements.[9]

In May 2016, Senator Meredith was awarded the "Solid Support for Veterans" award for his legislative endeavors that have positively affected women veterans. This award was presented to Senator Meredith at the 2016 Women Veterans Summit & Expo at the McKimmon Center on the campus of North Carolina State University. The N.C. Department of Military & Veterans Affairs and the NC Veterans Business Association, working with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and numerous other partners conducted this special event designed to empower, educate and enrich the lives of North Carolina's women veterans.[10]

Electoral history
North Carolina Senate District 19: Results 2010-2018 [11]
Year Democratic Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
2010 Margaret Dickson 23,964 48.90% Wesley Meredith 25,047 51.10%
2012 George Tatum 31,936 46.12% Wesley Meredith 37,308 53.88%
2014 William O. (Billy) Richardson 19,781 45.56% Wesley Meredith 23,636 54.44%
2016 Toni Morris 30,750 43.54% Wesley Meredith 39,877 56.46%

References
  1. http://www.nccppr.org/drupal/content/article-ii/legislator-reports/3996/2011-2012-report-for-sen-wesley-a-meredith
  2. "Proposed North Carolina Senate districts change for Mansfield, Meredith". The Fayetteville Observer. July 13, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  3. "About Wesley". Wesley Meredith website. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  4. "About Wesley". Wesley Meredith website. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  5. "Standing Committee Assignments, 2011-2012 Session". North Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  6. "Sen. Meredith lauded by clean energy group=http://www.fayobserver.com/blogs/news/peoples_business/people-s-biz-sen-meredith-lauded-by-clean-energy-group/article_8417d162-3db2-11e4-a716-0017a43b2370.html". Fayetteville Observer.
  7. "Press Release: State Representative Recognized for Efforts Senator Wesley Meredith Recognized by Fire Service". North Carolina State Firemen's Association. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  8. "GIC Legislator of the Year Award". Wesley Meredith website. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  9. http://www.wesleymeredith.com/2016/01/good-roads-advocate-award/
  10. http://www.wesleymeredith.com/2016/06/2016-women-veterans-summit-expo/
  11. "Election Results". Wesley Meredith. Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
North Carolina Senate
Preceded by
Margaret Dickson		 Member of the North Carolina Senate
from the 19th district
2011-2019		 Succeeded by
Kirk deViere
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