Josh Stein Honored Fifteen With Long Leaf Pine

The North Carolina governor recognized fifteen individuals with the state's highest civilian honor in a ceremony.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Awards

Josh Stein Honored Fifteen With Long Leaf Pine

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein inducted fifteen people into The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. The ceremony took place at the Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro to celebrate the recipients' leadership, service, and dedication to their communities.

Why it matters

The award recognizes significant contributions and service to North Carolina, highlighting individuals who have made a lasting impact on their local communities and the state at large.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is the highest civilian honor in North Carolina, with over 21,000 recipients since its creation in 1963. The recent ceremony in Greensboro added 15 new honorees to this historical list.

The players

Josh Stein

He is the Governor of North Carolina who serves as the state's chief executive officer.

Allen Joines

He serves as the Mayor of Winston-Salem and was among those recognized for his community contributions.

Kevin Baker

He is the Executive Director of the Piedmont Triad International Airport and received the civilian award.

The details

Governor Josh Stein conferred the honors, which included recognition for Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines and Piedmont Triad International Airport Executive Director Kevin Baker. The induction ceremony was held at the Civil Rights Museum.

The award was created in 1963.
The induction ceremony took place on October 14, 2026.

Culture Shift

The ceremony follows a pattern set by the award's inception in 1963, continuing a decades-long tradition of recognizing North Carolina residents. This reflects a broader cultural commitment to celebrating local public service and civic engagement across the state.

This event highlights the state's highest civilian honor, which recognizes the public service of leaders who directly shape North Carolina communities. Residents can view the list of past recipients to understand the historical benchmarks for service in the region.

The takeaway

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine serves as a reminder of the value placed on long-term commitment to community leadership. Citizens looking to contribute may consider how localized service often leads to broader state-level recognition.