11/21/2024

NCPLA Remembers Tim Kent

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our cherished friend and colleague, Tim Kent, who passed away on November 18, 2024, in Pinehurst. 

Tim served as the Executive Director of the North Carolina Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association for the past 15 years. His unique ability to be a fierce advocate on the “court” of the legislature while always remaining approachable outside the Building was shaped by his time as a member of the University of Southern California men’s basketball team. His loss is sudden and heartbreaking, but his profound impact on our industry and the state will endure.

After graduating from USC with a degree in journalism, Tim established his political roots in North Carolina in the 1980’s covering politics as a reporter for WRAL. He later worked alongside the North Carolina Speaker of the House before entering a career in lobbying. 

Over the past four decades, Tim served as the head of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Association of Architects, the North Carolina Association of REALTORS, and the North Carolina Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.  Under his leadership at the NCBWWA, the organization was named one of the top 5 lobbying associations in the state by Southern Political Report magazine and as one of the state’s top 5 political power brokers by the Institute for Southern Studies.  In 2018 he  was awarded the Association Executives of North Carolina’s 2018 Bob Slocum Award for Outstanding Government Affairs and Advocacy.

Tim will always be remembered for his wisdom, generosity, leadership, and as an overall fun-loving guy. Our thoughts are with Tim’s family, including his wife, Andra and children Emily, Stephen, and Michael.  A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 22 at The Village Chapel in Pinehurst.