From a McCrory Communications press release:
Governor McCrory presents Long Leaf Pine Award to George Cecil
Raleigh, N.C. – Governor Pat McCrory presented George Cecil with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine today at a celebration in Asheville. The Cecil family owns Biltmore Farms.
“George Cecil has continued his family’s commitment to improving the quality of life in Western North Carolina,” said Governor McCrory. “Through his work with the WNC Communities Board and Biltmore Farms, he has dedicated his professional and civic life to Western North Carolina by supporting education, health care, economic development, the arts, tourism and the environment.”
The grandson of Biltmore Estate founder George Washington Vanderbilt II, George Cecil started running the Biltmore Company in 1947 as a tourist destination and dairy farm. Under his leadership, Biltmore Farms evolved from one of the region’s largest independent dairy producers to a commercial and residential real estate conglomerate serving residents and tourists throughout the region.
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is presented for extraordinary service to North Carolina, a special achievement, contributions to one’s community, extra effort in one’s career, many years of service to the state or one’s organizations or as a gesture of good will. It is considered one of the highest honors the governor of North Carolina can bestow.
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