The Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) is the appointed board that awards Rural, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Utility Account grant funds. The RIA consists of 17 members who are appointed as follows:

  • The Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary's designee, as an ex officio member;
  • Four members appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and they shall each represent a Tier 1 or Tier 2 county;
  • Four members appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and they shall each represent a Tier 1 or Tier 2 county; and
  • Eight members appointed by the Governor, and they shall each represent a Tier 1 or Tier 2 county.

Specific powers and duties of the Rural Infrastructure Authority are identified in General Statute 143B-472.128.

Roster of Board Members
Name County
Charles Brown (Chairman) Stanly
Jeffrey Bullins

Rockingham

Joseph Burleson

Stanly

Lige Daughtridge

Nash

Joyce M. Dickens

Edgecombe

Elizabeth P. Gaither

Catawba

Ricky Harris Robeson

Jan Hayes (Vice Chair)

Lee

Dean Hilton

Bladen

Karen Kiehna

Madison

Abdul Rasheed

Vance

Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders Wake
Kevin Skinner Pitt 

Jeff Smith

 Chowan

Dr. Daniel Walters Robeson 
William "Bill" Webb Richmond
Theodore "Wes" Westmoreland  Cleveland