Brunswick County Commissioner Marty Cooke has been named to the N.C. Beach, Inlet and Waterway Association's board of directors, according to a news release.
 
Originally established 20 years ago, the N.C. Beach, Inlet and Waterway Association (NCBIWA) works to encourage government action and funding, educate and advocate for effective federal and state policy, and facilitate environmentally sound scientific and engineering solutions for threatened beaches, inlets and waterways, officials said in the release.
 
NCBIWA's board includes representatives from across coastal North Carolina, from Brunswick County to Currituck County, as well as officials from local, state and federal government, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and scientific groups.
 
“We’re happy to have Commissioner Marty Cooke as a part of our Board of Directors and we know he will do a wonderful job representing Brunswick County on our Board,” said Kathleen Riely, NCBIWA executive director, said in the release.

She added that officials from Brunswick County were among those involved with the organization when it started 20 years ago.
 
“I’ve learned a great deal from the people that are involved with NCBIWA and the conferences I’ve attended,” Cooke said. “This is a diverse group of people from 20 counties, who come together and work collaboratively on issues that affect the region. Now, to be a member of the board of directors is a tremendous honor.”

Members were also selected in Pender County. According to Tammy Proctor, the county's tourism director, Pender County Manager Randell Woodruff is going to serve the NCBIWA board as secretary.

Also selected to the board was Larry Bergman, town manager in Surf City, and Proctor, who is representing Pender tourism and N.C. Coast Host, she said.