Title
Order of the Hornet Induction - County Manager Dena R. Diorio
Action
ACTION:
Induct County Manager Dena R. Diorio, into the Mecklenburg County Order of the Hornet, the highest honor bestowed by the Board
Commission Contact: Chair Mark Jerrell
Presentation: Yes
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
The Order of the Hornet was established in 1972. It is bestowed by the Board of County Commissioners on persons who have displayed valor or high order of service uniquely and specifically to the residents of Mecklenburg County. This is the highest honor bestowed by the Board. The Order of the Hornet was founded in the spirit of the early Mecklenburg patriots who signed the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence on May 20, 1775, and proclaimed the County’s freedom from Britain more than a year before the U.S. Declaration of Independence was signed. Those early patriots valiantly fought for their independence during the Revolution and gave Lord Cornwallis such difficulties during his occupation of Charlotte that he termed the town a “hornet’s nest” of rebellion. County Manager Dena R. Diorio reflected the honor, strength, and fierce American patriotism that so stung Lord Cornwallis and is being recommended for membership in the Order of the Hornet.
Dena Diorio has been a leader in public administration since 1988. Dena earned her bachelor’s degree in social services from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. She earned a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University.
She has held leadership positions in local government in New York City, the City of Stamford and the City of Danbury, both in Connecticut, and in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
Dena joined Mecklenburg County in 2007 as Director of the Department of Financial Services. She is recognized for guiding the County through the fiscal crisis and implementing policies that significantly improved the financial position of the County. In 2013, she was promoted to Assistant County Manager and in 2014 was selected as the first woman to serve as County Manager for Mecklenburg County.
Dena has been recognized for her leadership by many organizations:
In 2015, she was named Public Policy Leader of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners, and in 2016, she received the Leadership in Action award by Career Mastered.
In 2018, she was named one of the 50 Most Influential Women by the Mecklenburg Times, and in 2019 a Most Admired CEO by the Charlotte Business Journal.
In 2020, Dena was chosen as the Businesswoman of the Year by Queens University, the first woman from the public sector to receive the honor.
In 2021, she was awarded the Excellence in Leadership Award from the Centralina Regional Council, received a Woman in American History Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Pegasus Award from the Public Relations Society of America, which honors someone from outside the public relations profession for embracing the strategic use of communications.
In 2022, Dena was recognized nationally for her COVID-19 leadership and was named County Executive of the Year in the annual LocalSmart Awards, which highlight people and projects in local government.
In 2023, Dena was awarded the prestigious Whitney M. Young Jr. award by the Urban League of Central Carolinas for her thoughtful leadership that is vital to serving the black community.
In 2024, Diorio received the Gem Award from the Charlotte Museum of History for her support in saving and revitalizing the last still-standing Siloam School in the County which was built to educate black children. Diorio was also recognized in 2024 for her work to support formerly incarcerated residents.
In 2025, Dena received the Root Award from the Growing the Dream organization for her cumulative work to serve and support the African American community. She was noted for being a “root” in the efforts to improve lives. She also received the Excellence in Leadership Award from the Rotary Club of Charlotte for her guidance of the County through natural disasters, a cyber-attack, and the pandemic as well as maintaining fiscal strength and stability. Dena received the Vision Award from Charlotte Center City Partners recognizing her transformational leadership.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
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POLICY IMPACT:
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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