Laurinburg businessman David Burns has been named by Gov. Bev Perdue to represent the Department of Transportation district that covers Richmond County.

The vacancy on the board was created when Rockingham’s G.R. Kindley asked to be replaced. Kindley served on the board for 16 years and a section of the U.S. 74 Bypass in Richmond County was named in his honor.

Burns will represent Scotland, Chatham, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Montgomery, Randolph and Richmond counties for the next four years.

“I’m pleased to have the opportunity to serve the eight counties in my Division,” Burns said. “I’m impressed to see the quality of the other board members and the staff, and look forward to working with them to help improve our transportation system for the citizens of North Carolina.”

Burns was unavailable for comment Friday.

Burns told the Laurinburg Exchange that the expansion of U.S. 401 form Raeford to Laurinburg will be a priority.

“There are projects in this part of the state I’d like to see,” he told the sister paper of the Daily Journal.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and Rockingham native Wayne Goodwin said he was sure Burns, 20-year acquaintance of his, will be “an ardent activist for Richmond County and the surrounding counties.”

“I think Gov. Perdue’s selection of David Burns for the North Carolina Department of Transportation Board is an excellent appointment,” Goodwin said Friday. “I have always found him to be a hard worker, dedicated and a staunch supporter of North Carolina’s Southeast region.”

Goodwin said Burns was an excellent resource for political affairs during his time as a North Carolina lawmaker.

“He knows the needs of the Sandhills ... and is a fitting successor to the work of G.R. Kindley,” Goodwin said.

Burns is an executive of Z.V. Pate, Inc. of Laurel Hill, the president of Burns Farms, is on the Board of Directors at First Bank and First Health of the Carolinas and is chairman of the Board of Trustees at St. Andrews Presbyterian College.

He is also a former chairman of the Scotland County Board of Commissioners and the Laurinburg/Scotland County Chamber of Commerce.

Burns has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Pfeiffer College (now University), and a master’s degree in agronomy from Auburn University.

In a January release, Gov. Perdue said she wanted to “professionalize the Department of Transportation ... Transportation decisions will be based on data.”

Also sworn-in to the DOT Board this week were Gary Ciccone of Fayetteville, Sam Halsey of Jefferson and Ronnie Wall of Burlington.

There are 19 total members on the public body.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.