LeadingAge North Carolina recently presented its Excellence in Governance Award to Saint Joseph of the Pines’ Board of Directors Officer John “Johnny” Burns. Tom Akins, President and CEO of LeadingAge North Carolina, bestowed the honor on Mr. Burns virtual board meeting.
Mr. Burns has served as a board member since January 2002. Since then, he has taken on the roles of finance committee chair, board treasurer, and currently is board secretary. According to Scott Brewton, Vice President of Saint Joseph of the Pines: “At our Board meetings, Johnny has always been one to ask the hard questions. As a staunch advocate of our residents and colleagues, he encourages all Board members to think about decisions from every angle and to consider how our work aligns with our mission and values.”
Mr. Brewton calls Mr. Burns “a true ambassador for SJP,” explaining that whenever the Life Plan Community holds a resident or colleague event, “Johnny is the first one to say ‘I’ll be there,’ and greets everyone with a warm smile, a firm handshake, and a genuine ‘thank you for all you do.’”
Before his retirement in 2017, Mr. Burns was the executive vice president at First Bank in Southern Pines where he worked for 45 years. He was charter president of the Aberdeen Jaycees. His memberships include: Moore County Historical Association, Kiwanis Club of the Sandhills, Order of the Arrow, Cubmaster of Pack 800, Sandhills Chamber of Commerce, United Way Moore County, Moore County Recreation Commission, Aberdeen Beautification Committee, Aberdeen Jaycees, Moore County Board of Education, and a lifelong member of Bethesda Presbyterian Church.
In his nomination letter, Mr. Brewton wrote: “As you can see, Johnny Burns puts himself in a lot of places, never says no, and is loyal to his community.” He credits Mr. Burns with helping Saint Joseph of the Pines consistently move forward in fulfilling its mission of being a transforming and healing presence in the Moore County community.
Courtesy photo/Contributed.
