NCMS Team Member Receives AENC’s Highest Accolade

At its recent 2025 Annual Meeting, the Association Executives of North Carolina (AENC) recognized North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) team member, Alan Skipper, with its highest accolade, the Timothy D. Kent Award.  This honor is presented by AENC to the association profession’s most esteemed ambassador and mentor in recognition of the recipient’s impact on the organization, the profession and their peers.

The award was introduced this year following the passing of one of AENC’s most revered members and respected leader in the association management community – Timothy D. Kent.  Mr. Kent was a 30-year member of AENC having served as CEO of North Carolina associations that represent the state’s architects, realtors and beer and wine wholesalers.  He was a past president of AENC and highly regarded among his state and national association management colleagues, as well as among his fellow lobbyists and legislators at the NC General Assembly.

Skipper, a 45-year member of AENC, has also served as the organization’s president and in many committee and leadership roles.  He is a past recipient of AENC’s awards recognizing legislative and political achievements and impact on the association management profession.

Skipper began his career with the NCMS in August of 1980.  He is a 2024 recipient of the NCMS’ John Huske Anderson Award, which annually honors a layperson whose contributions have had a positive impact on the medical profession and public health, and received the 2025 Distinguished Service Award from the NC Ob/Gyn Society.  He has previously received similar national accolades from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

The AENC award was presented at its 2025 Annual Meeting and 70th anniversary event in Raleigh, which featured Governor Josh Stein as the keynote speaker.  Presiding was AENC’s 2024-2025 president, Kathryn Atkinson with the NC Academy of Family Physicians.  Present and participating in the special recognition were Mr. Kent’s wife, Andra Zarins, and his son, Stephen Kent.