The NC Chamber’s 83rd Annual Leadership Dinner & Awards recognizes exceptional leaders and achievements in North Carolina’s business community. Tonight, we honor the recipients of the Distinguished Citizenship and Distinguished Public Service Awards for their lasting contributions to our state and communities.
Sharon Allred Decker
Distinguished Citizenship Award
Sharon Allred Decker is a business leader and former North Carolina secretary of commerce under the Governor McCrory administration. She spent 18 years at Duke Energy, serving as corporate vice president and helping establish its 24-hour customer service center. Decker later led The Lynnwood Foundation, served as the chair of the Charlotte Chamber, and was president of the Doncaster division of Tanner Companies. She was named Charlotte’s “Woman of the Year” in 1998.
Harold Lee Martin, Sr.
Distinguished Public Service Award
Harold Martin Lee Sr., Ph.D., was the 12th chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University and the first alumnus to hold the position. Under his leadership, A&T became the nation’s largest HBCU, expanded its research capabilities, and increased its economic impact to over $1.5 billion. Previously, Martin served as senior vice president for academic affairs for the UNC System and as chancellor of Winston-Salem State University. A recognized leader in higher education, he has been honored by TIME, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and EBONY.