Mark Pope receives NCEDA Lifetime Service Award
Mark Pope, president of the North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region, received a Lifetime Service Award from the North Carolina Economic Development Association during its Fall Conference in Asheville on Oct. 20.
Pope leads economic development efforts across Greene, Lenoir and Wayne counties. He was one of four longtime association members recognized for contributions to the organization and the economic development profession.
His career has focused on bringing jobs and investment to eastern North Carolina. NCEDA named him Economic Developer of the Year in 2011.
During more than 20 years as an NCEDA member, Pope has served on the association’s board of directors, held every position on its executive committee and chaired numerous committees. He served as NCEDA president in 2018-19 and has mentored emerging economic development professionals.
“Economic development is ultimately about people, partnerships, and a shared commitment to creating opportunity for others,” NCEDA President André Lennon said.
Lennon said the recipients demonstrated that commitment throughout their careers, strengthening the communities they served, the profession and the state.
The other 2026 recipients were Joanna Helms, Raul Peralta and Melanie O’Connell Underwood.
Founded in 1966 and based in Raleigh, NCEDA has more than 900 members. The association provides professional development, networking, advocacy and mentoring for North Carolina’s economic development community.
