Wesley Meredith

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Senator Wesley Meredith
Member of the North Carolina Senate from the 19th district
In office January 1, 2011 – January 1, 2019
Preceded by	Margaret Dickson
Succeeded by	Kirk deViere
Personal details
Born	Wesley Alan Meredith (1963-12-22) December 22, 1963 (age 58) Tupelo, Mississippi
Political party	Republican
Residence	Fayetteville, North Carolina
Alma mater	Fayetteville Technical Community College
Occupation	Landscape Contractor

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.

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[]

References[]

External links[]