WPCOG Assistant Executive Director, Griffin retires after 37 years
Sherry Long Griffin retires as the Assistant Executive Director for the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) after 37 years of outstanding service to the organization and the region. Sherry began her career at the WPCOG in 1986, working as a community development administrator. She quickly established herself as a very determined, imaginative, and capable professional who became known among community and economic development professionals as one of the best in her field. The WPCOG quickly recognized Sherry’s talents and promoted her to a community development specialist in 1988. She was promoted again in 1997 to community and economic development director. It is worth noting that Sherry led the department beginning in 1991 before her official promotion to director in 1997. As the community and economic development director, she oversaw the WPCOG’s efforts to assist local governments with developing and administrating many projects that improved the region’s economy and quality of life. Sherry’s projects have been numerous over three decades and are especially defined by their benefits to the region’s most vulnerable populations.
WPCOG Executive Director Anthony Starr said, “Sherry is an amazing leader and the best in her field. We cannot overstate her contributions to the communities in our region. She built a great team and they continue to make a tremendous impact throughout the region. I will surely miss her daily insight and incredible work ethic.”
Sherry’s impressive track record from 1986 to 2023 includes writing, securing, and administering over 750 grants amounting to more than $2 billion ($2,042,394,933) worth of public and private investment for the region. She has served on the Western NC Housing Partnership board for 25 years, becoming Chair in 2011. A non-profit organization responsible for developing over 600 affordable rental units throughout Western North Carolina. Mrs. Griffin served on the board of VEDIC for seven years and was elected
Chair of the Board in 2021. VEDIC is a non-profit corporation established in Burke County in 2009, providing business loans to entrepreneurs throughout the area. Sherry continues to serve her community as a volunteer in many ways. She serves on the board of the Hickory Community Theater, where she improved the organization’s financial condition and facilitates its continued success. She also serves on the HOME Living Opportunities non-profit board, which serves persons with developmental disabilities through supporting and sponsoring programs that promote supportive living environments. Her tenure for both organizations began in the 1990s and continues today. Sherry was awarded the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA)s Don Myers Humanitarian Award. The Don Myers Humanitarian Award was established to recognize an individual who has shown leadership and provided community service that has enriched Appalachia.
Caldwell County Manager Donald Duncan highlighted Sherry’s direct impact on his community by sharing her efforts for Conover during the 2008 recession. Duncan said, “There is no doubt that Sherry Griffin has profoundly impacted this region on multiple levels. One of the most significant was when I was the City Manager of Conover. Sherry developed a program in response to the 2008 recession to help those in our community laid off from manufacturing jobs. Through the creation of the Hardest Hit Program (HPP) and then the Mortgage Payment Program (MPP), Sherry led the charge to allow people to stay in their homes. If you lost your job in manufacturing, you could apply and stay on your feet. The program directly helped almost 1,000 homeowners in a four-year period. These programs gave people much-needed relief regarding their mortgages until they could get a job and get back on their feet. The program did so well that after the federal funding ran out, the banks stepped up and participated to continue the program. Many people would have been homeless or their credit ruined for their whole lives, but through Sherry’s efforts, they were able to maintain their quality of life. Our area is richer today because of Sherry’s many efforts like this one.”
In 2015, the WPCOG recognized Sherry’s exceptional leadership abilities and promoted her to serve as the agency’s first female assistant executive director. In this role, Sherry oversaw community and economic development, administration and human resources, regional public housing authority, and workforce development. Currently, these areas employ 37 of the WPCOG’s 76 professionals, a testament to the impact of her leadership.
The WPCOG celebrated Sherry’s retirement at Moretz Mills on May 23, when family, friends, and colleagues spoke of her accomplishments, friendships, and contributions, and expressed joy and sadness at seeing her leave.