Martin Jones, Town of Stedman Mayor

Martin Jones currently serves as mayor for the Town of Stedman. He was elected in 2018 and is currently serving his second term. Jones served as a commissioner for the Town of Stedman for five terms from 1998 until 2017. He retired from Dupont on June 30, 2013, and started his current employment as a Logistics Manager with DAK Americas on July 1, 2013.

Jones currently serves on the RTAC for Cumberland County as Vice-Chairman, on the Mid-Carolina Regional Council executive board of directors as Chairman, and as the Mid-Carolina Regional Council representative to the State Council of Governments. 

He and his wife, Emily, have three daughters, Summer, Leah and Natalie, who all graduated from North Carolina State University. Summer is currently in business with her mom at Johnson Florist in Stedman.

Jones enjoys all athletics, specifically golf and NC State University softball. Leah and Natalie achieved athletic scholarships to play Division 1 softball at NC State University.

Alice Butler, Town of Roseboro Mayor

Mayor Alice Butler was born and grew up in Charlotte, NC on a dairy farm. In 1983 she graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a BS degree in Business Administration. After graduation, she pursued a career in retail until she married Greg Butler. In 1989 they moved to Roseboro. They have two boys who enjoyed growing up in Roseboro. Thee boys will tell you they have many fond memories of riding their bikes around town and playing football in the backyard.

For twelve years she taught computer and business classes. In 2011 she began working at the NC Justice Academy in Salemburg. In January 2012, she was appointed to the Roseboro Town Board. It has been her pleasure to serve the citizens of Roseboro. Roseboro is a town with many opportunities and challenges. She especially enjoys living there because it has all you need within walking distance, and it is a great town for families.

Chris Coats, Town of Coats Mayor

Chris Coats currently serves as mayor for the Town of Coats. He was elected to the position in 2017. Prior to serving as mayor, he was a Coats town commissioner from 2015-2017. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Methodist University, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Methodist University. 

Coats is the General Manager for Coats Cabinets. Prior to this role, he served as a Management Trainee and Service Supervisor for Cintas Corporation, and an Admissions Counselor for Methodist University.

Coats is active in his community, serving as the Chairman of the Harnett County Mayors Committee, and a Board of Director for the Coats Museum. He has also served as a Board of Director for the Coats Area Chamber of Commerce.

He and his wife, Anna, have a son, William. 

Dr. Jeannette Council, Cumberland County Commissioner

Dr. Jeannette M. Council was appointed to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners in 2000 and elected in 2002. Her current term expires in 2022. Dr. Council served four terms as the board’s vice chair and chair.

As a member of the Cape Fear Valley Hospital System Board of Trustees, Dr. Council served on the Planning Committee, Executive Committee, Compensation and Investment Committee, Nominating Committee and Diversity Practice Committee.

Dr. Council served as the Board of Commissioner liaison to the Mental Health Board, Cumberland County Action Program, Cumberland County Partnership for Children, Library Board of Trustees, Air Quality Stakeholders Commission, Transportation Advisory Committee, Criminal Justice Partnership Advisory Board, ABC Board, BRAC Regional Task Force, Mayors’ Coalition, Fayetteville/Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce and Fayetteville/Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. She served on Cumberland County’s Facilities, Policy and Finance committees and was appointed to the Board of Health and Southeastern Economic Development Commission. Dr. Council served on the Board of Directors of the Mid-Carolina Council of Governments and received the M.H. “Jack” Brock Memorial Award.

Dr. Council was elected as the N. C. Association of County Commissioners District 6 and At-Large director and served on the Association’s Public Education and Human Services Steering Committees. She was appointed co-chair and chair of the NCACC’s Legislative Goals Committee. Dr. Council also served on the National Association of Counties Human Services and Education Steering Committees and as Secretary, President-Elect and President of the Women of NACo.

Dr. Council served as chair of the N. C. Association of Black County Officials’ Scholarship Committee and received the North Carolina Association of Black County Officials’ Outstanding Member of the Year Award. She was designated as an Honorary Trustee of Fayetteville Technical Community College and the Board of Trustees, and recognized by the Fort Liberty Area Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority as one of the Top Ten Community Diamonds.

Dr. Council has been involved in various professional and civic organizations to include serving as the president of multiple educational organizations; president of the Fayetteville State University National Alumni Association; member of the FSU Foundation Board of Directors; member of the State Board of Community Colleges and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She served on the N. C. Democratic Party Executive Committee and was a super-delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Dr. Council attended Cumberland County Schools and graduated from E. E. Smith High School and Fayetteville State University. She received an M.S. degree from Indiana University, an Ed.S. degree from East Carolina University and an Ed.D. degree from South Carolina State University. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a fellow of the Duke University Institute of Politics.

Dr. Council’s professional career includes positions as an elementary school teacher, assistant principal, acting principal, elementary supervisor, curriculum coordinator and federal programs coordinator.

Dr. Council is married to Thomas Council, former president of Council Real Estate, Inc., and has a grown son, Melvin, and a grandson, Thomas Council, III.

Kathy Jensen, City of Fayetteville Mayor Pro Tem

Kathy Jensen was first elected to serve District 1 on the Fayetteville City Council in 2013 and re-elected in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023.  She was born and raised in Fayetteville. A 1983 graduate of Pine Forest High School, Kathy went on to East Carolina University and Methodist College to study business. After college, Kathy joined the family business and worked in the retail, property management and financial part of the businesses. In 1993, Kathy married LTC Jerry Jensen and supported him in his military career through Fort Bragg, Germany, Newport, R.I. and back to Fayetteville, her hometown. When they were deciding on where to live, Kathy and Jerry wanted to raise their children where she was born and raised. In 2005, Kathy opened An Affair to Remember Bridal and Formal Wear on Ramsey Street.

The past ten years on Council, Kathy has served on many boards and commissions.  Kathy was appointed by the Governor to be on the board of the North Carolina Youth Council. She is also very active in the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council that was reactivated in 2014. Her involvement in other boards and commissions include FCEDC – Fayetteville-Cumberland Economic Development Commission, CVA – Core Value Awards, Gateways and Corridor, 911 Task Force Committee, Cumberland County Crown Coliseum, Fayetteville Police Foundation City liaison, Boards and Commissions nominating committee and chair of the Parks and Recreation Bond committee.

Kathy is committed to her city; she is a member of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, the Junior League of Fayetteville, the Military Officers Wives Association and the Daughters of Penelope. Her care and commitment to her neighbors and citizens of north Fayetteville is visible every day.

Kathy and Jerry have five children and two grandchildren. Their children are Jeremiah Jensen of Columbia, S.C., Jillian Jensen Jez of Black Hawk, S.D., and Jake, Josh and James of the home. 

Sue Lee, Sampson County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairperson

Sue Lee and her husband founded and continue to operate Precision Tool & Stamping, Inc. in Clinton, NC. They employ approximately forty people, two of whom are their sons that graduated from North Carolina State University with degrees in mechanical engineering. Before that, Lee was employed with a local hospital as an accountant for ten years.

She served as PTA president and other roles for several terms as her children were growing up, as well as serving on the Clinton Area Foundation of Education Board. She was on the stewardship committee for First Baptist Church for twelve years, serving as co-chair for some of that period.

In 2014, Lee was elected as the first female commissioner on the Sampson County Board of Commissioners. She also served as vice chair of the board for seven years. Lee was elected to serve as chair in December of 2021. She is running unopposed in November 2022 for the board of commissioners' seat. Lee currently serves as the Fire Commissioner of Sampson County as well.

Lee was elected to serve on the Mid-Carolina Board of Directors in 2014.

Lee currently serves on the Business Alliance Advisory Group with Congressman David Rouzer’s office.

She also serves on the CoAEMSP advisory board for Sampson Community College.

Lee was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award from the governor’s office for significant contributions to her community.

W. Brooks Matthews, Harnett County Commissioner

W. Brooks Matthews was elected to the Harnett County Board of Commissioners in 2020, representing District 3. He served as Chairman from 2020-2021. As a Commissioner, Matthews will serve on the Harnett Properties Corporation and Harnett County Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee. Matthews attended Campbell University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1976 and Masters of Education degree in 1979. In 2012, he earned an Education Specialist postgraduate degree from North Carolina State University. Matthews has over 40 years of experience in public education in Harnett County. In his career, he has served as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and principal at various Harnett County schools.

Since 2014, Matthews has been Deputy Superintendent with Harnett County Schools.

He has been an active member of his community by serving on the following Boards and Committees in the past: North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors, Campbell University Alumni Association Board of Directors, Harnett County Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, and Boys & Girls Club of Central Carolina: Robin Paige Club Advisory Board. Matthews is a long time resident of Harnett County and resides in Buies Creek with his wife, Rosa Maria. He has three children, Maria, Jennifer, and Heather, and six grandchildren.