Mr. Jack Brown, a dedicated resident of Gaston County throughout his life, has committed himself to the betterment of the region. An alumnus of Belmont High School and a U.S. Army veteran, Jack embodies the spirit of a passionate public servant. During his tenure as County Commissioner, he garnered immense respect from his fellow board members. He was admired for his unwavering dedication to service, steadfast principles, and his consistent commitment to enhancing the County for all its residents.
His journey on the Board of Commissioners commenced with his initial election on December 6, 2004. Mr. Brown was again called to serve on the Commission on October 9, 2018, nominated by the Gaston County Republican Party to fill the vacant Gastonia Township seat. Elevated to Vice-Chairman in 2019, he served in this capacity until his departure from the Board in 2020.
Mr. Brown’s engagement with the Gaston County Republican Party spans many years, including his contributions to both the Republican 10th District Executive Committee and the Gaston County Republican Executive Committee.
Beyond partisan politics, Jack has generously volunteered his time and expertise to numerous civic organizations since the 1980s. Notably, he contributed to the Gaston County Economic Development Commission as a township appointee. His commitment to local development is further evidenced by his service on various boards, including the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, Gaston County Parks and Recreation Board, Gaston County Transportation Advisory Board, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC), Schools Facility Committee, Family Advisory Board, and the Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee. He also held the position of Vice-Chairman of the State Parks Commission, showcasing his broad dedication to public service.
Throughout his extensive public service career, Jack consistently championed initiatives aimed at fostering the County’s progress, particularly in areas of economic development and responsible land use. A strong proponent of “smart growth” within Gaston County and the wider region, Jack actively encouraged collaboration between community members and stakeholders in all development-related decisions. His insights as a member of the 2021 Travel And Tourism Advisory Board Members group, although predating that specific year, laid groundwork for future initiatives.
As County Commissioner, Jack was a staunch advocate for fiscal responsibility and budgetary accountability, consistently prioritizing the reduction of the tax rate for Gaston County citizens. He demonstrated a genuine concern for the challenges faced by the community and was committed to addressing them directly. At the onset of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Jack was a vocal supporter of expanding grant funding for the Family Advisory Board to provide immediate relief to vulnerable populations impacted by the crisis.
Jack and his wife, Alice, former Register of Deeds in Gaston County, are parents to two children and proud grandparents to five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They are active members of Friendship Baptist Church in Belmont.
His significant contributions to Gaston County have been widely recognized. In 2021, both Jack and Alice Brown received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor awarded by the Governor of North Carolina, acknowledging their exceptional public service.
Gaston County Commission expresses its sincere gratitude to Jack for his many years of dedicated service and his ongoing commitment to making Gaston County an even better place to call home. His dedicated work, both visible and behind the scenes, has been truly inspirational and has positively impacted countless lives within the community.
