Archie Taylor is the 2021 Vance County Citizen of the Year
Jun. 22—HENDERSON — Archie Taylor has been designated the 2021 Citizen of the Year by the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce.
His selection was announced at the 83rd Annual Meeting of the Chamber by Carolyn and Tommy Farmer, joint Citizens of the Year for 2020.
Describing Taylor as "a small-town diplomat" and a "roll-up-your-sleeves worker," they elaborated on his volunteerism and his support of education, the arts, Boy Scouts, Maria Parham Health and other community institutions.
In the area of education, they cited his involvement with the Vance County Public School Foundation, the local school system and Henderson Collegiate Charter School.
Evidence of Taylor's service to the Boys Scouts was his designation several years ago as the George Rose Watkins Citizen of the Year by the Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts.
In addition to his involvement in multiple activities, Taylor is a Vance County commissioner, having served on the board since 2012.
Tommy Hester, a fellow county commissioner, said. "He's done an outstanding job of promoting Vance County and Henderson. He works hard for every citizen of the county."
Ruxton Bobbitt, a member of the Vance County Economic Development Commission Board, has had an opportunity to see Taylor's impact on the economic well-being of the county. "He's one of the most cooperative people to sit down and listen to what people need and the county needs," Bobbit said. He added that characteristic may be attributed to Taylor's military background.
Taylor, a retired U.S. Army colonel, was born in Washington, D.C., but as a youth was a frequent visitor to Vance County, working on his grandparents' farm during summer vacations.
He earned a bachelor's degree from Howard University and a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University.
He began his Army career with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.
During his career, Taylor served as a company commander, battalion commander and brigade commander as well as a staff officer with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also served as chief of staff of the 7th Signal Command.
The Chamber's 83rd Annual Meeting was held in a virtual format, thanks to the technical work of Mark Hopper and the McGregor Hall staff.
The Rev. Abidan Shah opened the meeting with a prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by students from L.B. Yancey Elementary School.
Duke Energy was the presenting sponsor.
The meeting can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/564206665 or on the Chamber's Facebook page.
