Johnston County Clerk Michelle Ball Named Treasurer Of Statewide Clerks Conference

SMITHFIELD, N.C. – Johnston County Clerk of Superior Court Michelle Ball has been named treasurer of the North Carolina Conference of Clerks of Superior Court for the 2026-27 term.

Ball was installed as part of the organization’s new executive leadership team during its annual Summer Educational Conference, held Aug. 24-28 in Wilmington.

The statewide organization represents clerks of superior court from across North Carolina.

Deborah “Susie” Thomas, Lee County Clerk of Superior Court, was installed as president, succeeding Columbus County Clerk Jess Hill.

Other officers include Montgomery County Clerk John Deaton as first vice president, Dare County Clerk Dean Tolson as second vice president and Stanly County Clerk Ginger Efird as secretary.

Chief Justice Paul Newby congratulated the new leadership team and thanked clerks across the state for their work.

“Our clerks are on the front lines of delivering justice without favor, denial or delay in every courthouse across our state,” Newby said.

The conference also recognized several clerks and court leaders for service during the past year.

Tolson and Iredell County Clerk Jim Mixson received the organization’s Boots on the Ground Award for legislative advocacy on behalf of clerks statewide.

New Hanover County Clerk Jan Kennedy received the President’s Award for her leadership and work involving financial reporting requirements and court system procedures.

The conference’s highest honor, the Rachel Joyner Award, was presented to Chief Justice Newby.

The award is named for former Nash County Clerk Rachel M. Joyner, who served as clerk for 50 years and worked in the Nash County Clerk’s Office for 66 years.

The conference concluded with the transition from Hill’s presidency to Thomas and the newly installed 2026-27 executive team, which includes Ball representing Johnston County.