Charlie Lane Named Distinguished Citizen of the Year (January 25, 2008)

Rocky Mount – Charles T. Lane, an attorney in the Rocky Mount office of Poyner & Spruill LLP, was awarded the prestigious Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce’s Distinguished Citizen Award last night during the Chamber’s 104th Annual Meeting.

Lane’s contributions to the community and involvement in numerous organizations in a leadership capacity in education and economic development were highlighted in remarks by former Rocky Mount Mayor Fred Turnage. Turnage said Lane through his commitment and service, advanced the welfare of Rocky Mount residents and the community.

"He recognized challenges and worked to resolve them," Turnage said. "He did so in a quiet manner and worked behind the scenes."

A 10-minute video, including quotes from friends and colleagues, highlighted Lane’s many accomplishments.  The video featured Sam Johnson, an attorney with Poyner & Spruill who received the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award himself in 2006, as well as former U.S. Representative Tim Valentine, and former Centura Bank Chairman Bob Mauldin, who described Lane as a visionary.

"There are not many things of a civic nature in Rocky Mount that don't bear Charlie's imprint," Mauldin said. "He has a practical approach and the ability to get things done."

Lane, who received his JD and BA from Wake Forest University, is an advocate for the disadvantaged and has given a lifetime of leadership to the Rocky Mount community. He is currently involved with, or has been in the past, numerous civic and professional groups, including Past President of the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce, Rocky Mount Preparatory School, Former Director, Centura Bank, Former Director, Peoples Bank, One City Committee, Carolina Gateway Partnership, N.C. Wesleyan College, local public radio station WQRM, Downtown Renaissance, Rocky Mount Community Development Corporation, Down East Partnership for Children, Director, Futrell-Maudlin Community Fund and Rocky Mount Area Community Fund, and Elder, First Presbyterian Church.