Board confirms two appointments to New Hanover Community Endowment after debate over process and stability

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners filled county-appointed seats on the New Hanover Community Endowment, approving Shannon Winslow and Justin Burgess after a lengthy public discussion about the endowment's recent leadership transition and the county's role in making appointments.

Commissioners and speakers at the meeting said the endowment is undergoing a leadership change and that the endowment's board and incoming CEO had asked for "stability and experience" in county appointments during the transition. Commissioners referenced the endowment's founding documents, the asset purchase agreement and a letter of agreement with the North Carolina Department of Justice as governance instruments the endowment must follow.

The appointment discussion produced disagreement among commissioners about process and outreach. One commissioner urged deference to the endowment's request for experienced appointees and specifically referenced Spence Broadhurst's application, which the speaker said emphasized knowledge of the endowment's startup and evolution. Other commissioners called for more public discussion of candidates, more transparent outreach to applicants and greater diversity of thought on the endowment board. During the exchange some commissioners said they felt pressured off the dais and publicly objected to aggressive tactics in recruitment and lobbying for votes.

Following discussion, the board voted to appoint Shannon Winslow and Justin Burgess to the endowment seats. The transcript records motions and seconding for the individual nominees and roll call-style voice votes that produced affirmative responses. Commissioners also completed several other committee appointments during the same portion of the meeting.