Title
Order of the Hornet for Catherine Hansen, Chief Protocol Officer for North Carolina Counselor Corps.
Action
ACTION:
The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners would like to award prominent Mecklenburg County resident Catherine Hansen this award for over 30 years of service to our community. Including the development and nurturing of the 30 year partnership between Mecklenburg County, North Carolina in the United States with our namesake area in Germany, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Staff Contact: Dena Diorio, County Manager
Presentation: Yes
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
Catherine Hansen was the first Chief of Protocol for Charlotte, North Carolina. She was asked to create the position in 1995 by the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Some of her responsibilities included planning itineraries for visiting dignitaries, extending port hospitality and courtesies, working with various protection services, suggesting official gifts to be given by our officials and coordinating the exchange with their Chief of Protocol.
She has handled visits of Chiefs of State, heads of government, Ambassadors, cabinet level officers, members of Parliament, trade and cultural delegations.
In 2003, she formed the North Carolina Consular Corps consisting of Career and Honorary Consuls. It is the first designated Corps in North Carolina.
Working closely with the US Department of State, Mrs. Hansen maintains the records of official Consular status and dates of accreditation and the Order of precedence for North Carolina. In April 2004, she became the Executive Director and Chief of Protocol of the Corps and she continues to serve in that capacity. Catherine is often called upon to consult with other states wishing to establish a Corps.
She is also an integral part of the cultural and educational exchange program with the German federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Mecklenburg County. Having most recently lead a delegation of Mecklenburg County o...
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