FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2025
BURGAW, N.C. – Four County EMC proudly announced the retirement of East Pender District Director Bertice L. Lanier during a heartfelt ceremony at the 2025 Brighter Future Summit on Wednesday, April 2. Hosted by North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley, the summit brought together cooperative leaders from across the state to celebrate innovation, leadership, and lifelong service.
Mr. Lanier joined the Four County EMC Board of Directors in 1985 and held several key leadership roles over his tenure, including Board Secretary/Treasurer and Board Vice-President. His four decades of service leave a lasting legacy of leadership, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to the cooperative and its members.
Mr. Lanier also represented Four County EMC with distinction at the state and industry level. His notable contributions include:
- Serving on the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives (NCAEC) Nominating Committee in 2008, 2012, and 2017, and as Committee Chairman in 2020
- Serving on the Tarheel Electric Membership Association (TEMA) Board of Directors from 2009 to 2020, including roles as Secretary/Treasurer (2013–2014), Vice-President (2015–2017), and President (2018)
A retirement dinner and presentation were held in Mr. Lanier’s honor during the Summit. Board President & West Duplin District Director S. Franklin Williams presented Mr. Lanier with a formal Board Resolution of Appreciation, recognizing his decades of dedicated service to Four County EMC. Mr. Williams expressed the board’s heartfelt gratitude for Mr. Lanier’s leadership and steadfast commitment to the cooperative. Mr. Lanier was also presented with a custom portrait—a lasting tribute to his legacy and impact.
A new East Pender District Director will be elected during the Four County EMC Annual Meeting on October 6, 2025, at the Duplin County Event Center. Members interested in running for the position should email Aaron Ellis, General Counsel for Four County EMC.
Please join us in thanking Mr. Bertice L. Lanier for his extraordinary service and leadership, and in wishing him all the best in retirement.