Gov. Bev Perdue has bestowed Bernie Mann, publisher of Our State magazine, with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Secretary of Commerce Keith Crisco presented the award at the 2013 Best of Our State event in January at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C.
The highest honor the governor can bestow on a North Carolina citizen, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine is given in recognition of a proven record of extraordinary service to the state. In addition to receiving a certificate of recognition, recipients may also propose the North Carolina state toast at any time. Mann joins many famous North Carolinians such as Maya Angelou, Andy Griffith, Michael Jordan and Bob Timberlake as a recipient of this award.
“Our State is a legacy publication that is like a trusted friend,” says Elizabeth Hudson, Editor in Chief. “People open up their homes every month for this magazine to come in and that is nothing Bernie takes lightly. He recognizes the enormous responsibility that Our State magazine has.”
Mann’s vision for Our State, upon purchasing it in 1996, was that it truly reflect the beauty of North Carolina and the character of the state. Through lively stories and engaging photography, readers in every state and 33 foreign countries celebrate the state they love and call home. More than 800,000 people read the magazine each month.
In November, Our State received, for the second year in a row, the Best Full Issue award and national recognition from FOLIO:, the magazine publishing industry’s largest competition. “Our State,” the television program, inspired by the stories in the magazine, has won 6 Emmy® awards.
Mann currently serves as a board member for the North Carolina Arts Council and on the Greensboro CVB Board of Directors. He is a past president of the Greensboro Symphony and a past board member for the Eastern Music Festival and the Shakespeare Festival. He is also a past President of Rotary.
Watch a few of his friends and colleagues discuss why this award is so deserved.
Our State is North Carolina’s premier food, culture, and history publication, with subscribers in every state and 33 foreign countries. Our State is available at bookstores and newsstands across the state. Order subscriptions by calling (800) 948-1409 or by clicking here.
Download a high resolution photo of Bernie Mann. (Right-click or command-click the photo to save.)