Henderson County assistant county manager awarded prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Amy Brantley was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine on June 28, on the day of her retirement as Henderson County Assistant County Manager.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is the highest award for state service granted by the Office of the Governor of North Carolina. It is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments.

“It is a recognition of Amy’s many years of service by the great state that she calls home,” said County Manager John Mitchell in a news release. “The County is proud of her accomplishments and wishes her the best in her retirement.”

“Very rarely am I speechless, and I am speechless over this award,” Brantley said in the news statement. “When I think of the people who have received these over the years, that is a stellar group of people and to be included in their company, that means the world to me. I truly appreciate Henderson County for nominating me for this award. It is an honor.”

Brantley has spent her entire 32 year career in public service, the past 25 years with Henderson County.

According to the website longleafpinesociety.org, the award was created in 1963. Upon being named to The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the honoree receives a certificate by which the Governor confers upon the recipient “…the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary privileged to enjoy fully all rights granted to members of this exalted order among which is the special privilege to propose the following North Carolina Toast in select company anywhere in the free world.