The Cleveland County Republican Party met in convention on Saturday March 12. The following officers were elected for the 2011-2012 election cycle:

Tom Tanguay, Chairman
Neal Hodges, Vice-Chair
Josh Bridges, Second Vice-Chair
Pam Keller, Treasurer
Steve Roderick, Assistant Treasurer
Sasha Beam, Secretary
Carole Allen, Assistant Secretary

Chairman Tanguay graduated from the University of Massachusetts, served in both the Navy and the Army, and then began a forty year career in the paper industry, associated with Weyerhaeuser and other international paper makers in sales and marketing. Tom and is wife Jan, married 45 years, retired to Cleveland County in 2005 and became active in the Cleveland County Republican Party. Tom continues collecting and restoring antique shotguns as well as improving their home and land. Jan, who is retired from nursing after 35 years, is active in book clubs and the Carolina Singers of the Senior Center.

In addition to officers, a new Executive Committee was elected, as well as delegates to the North Carolina Republican Convention.

Following the convention, the GOP held its annual Reagan Day Dinner. The keynote speaker for the evening was the Speaker of the NC House of Representatives, Thom Tillis. At this event, Janet Jau and Lonnie LeClair were recognized as the “Volunteers of the Year” for the party.