Richard Vinroot: Difference between revisions
imported>Ser Amantio di Nicolao |
imported>Jeegajeega No edit summary |
||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
|education = [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[Juris Doctor|JD]]) | |education = [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[Juris Doctor|JD]]) | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Richard A. Vinroot''' (born April 14, 1941) is an American politician and attorney from [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. He served as the 52nd [[Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina|Mayor of Charlotte]] from 1991 to 1995. Vinroot ran unsuccessfully for [[Governor of North Carolina]] in [[1996 North Carolina gubernatorial election|1996]], [[2000 North Carolina gubernatorial election|2000]] and [[2004 North Carolina gubernatorial election|2004]]. The City of Charlotte's Richard Vinroot International Achievement Award is named in his honor. | '''Richard A. Vinroot''' (born April 14, 1941) is an American politician and attorney from [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. He served as the 52nd [[Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina|Mayor of Charlotte]] from 1991 to 1995. Vinroot ran unsuccessfully for [[Governor of North Carolina]] in [[1996 North Carolina gubernatorial election|1996]], [[2000 North Carolina gubernatorial election|2000]] and [[2004 North Carolina gubernatorial election|2004]]. The City of Charlotte's Richard Vinroot International Achievement Award is named in his honor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chief Justice Paul Newby Presents 2023 Chief Justice's Professionalism Awards {{!}} North Carolina Judicial Branch |url=https://www.nccourts.gov/news/tag/press-release/chief-justice-paul-newby-presents-2023-chief-justices-professionalism-awards |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=www.nccourts.gov}}</ref> | ||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
The son of a Swedish immigrant, Richard Vinroot was raised in [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg County]] schools becoming [[student body president]] at [[East Mecklenburg High School]], where he graduated from in 1959. He was a high school athlete in three sports and captained the basketball and football teams. He won a [[Morehead Scholarship]] to attend the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]], where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1963 and a [[Juris Doctor]] degree in 1966. He served as [[class president]] in his junior and senior years. Vinroot's height is billed at 6'7", and he played [[college basketball]] for the [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina Tar Heels]] under [[Dean Smith]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2016}} | The son of a Swedish immigrant, Richard Vinroot was raised in [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg County]] schools, becoming [[student body president]] at [[East Mecklenburg High School]], where he graduated from in 1959. He was a high school athlete in three sports and captained the basketball and football teams. He won a [[Morehead Scholarship]] to attend the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]], where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1963 and a [[Juris Doctor]] degree in 1966. He served as [[class president]] in his junior and senior years. Vinroot's height is billed at 6'7", and he played [[college basketball]] for the [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina Tar Heels]] under [[Dean Smith]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2016}} | ||
Vinroot married his wife Judy (Allen) Vinroot, whom he met while both were students at University of North Carolina. They have three children, Richard Vinroot Jr., Laura Vinroot Poole, and Katy Vinroot O'Brien, all of whom graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill. | Vinroot married his wife Judy (Allen) Vinroot, whom he met while both were students at [[University of North Carolina]]. They have three children, Richard Vinroot Jr., Laura Vinroot Poole, and Katy Vinroot O'Brien, all of whom graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-01 |title=NC trend: Laura Vinroot Poole, building a brand bigger than herself. |url=https://businessnc.com/nc-trend-laura-vinroot-poole-building-a-brand-bigger-than-herself/ |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=Business North Carolina |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
==Military== | ==Military== | ||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
Vinroot was a member of the Charlotte City Council from 1983 to 1991 and served as mayor of Charlotte from 1991 to 1995. As mayor, Vinroot was successful in establishing a Taxpayer Protection Act, limiting growth of the city's budget. He created the state's first "drug court" to speed prosecutions. He established the Mayor's International Cabinet, a predecessor to the Charlotte International Cabinet.<ref>[https://www.charlottenc.gov/international-relations/business/Pages/Award-Categories-.aspx City of Charlotte: International Relations]</ref> A national magazine named him Municipal Leader of the Year. Vinroot decided against running for a third term in order to focus full-time on his first run for North Carolina governor in [[1996 North Carolina gubernatorial election|1996]]. Vinroot lost in a close primary to then-state representative [[Robin Hayes]] of [[Kannapolis, North Carolina|Kannapolis]]. Hayes went on to lose the general election to incumbent governor [[Jim Hunt]]. | Vinroot was a member of the Charlotte City Council from 1983 to 1991 and served as mayor of Charlotte from 1991 to 1995. As mayor, Vinroot was successful in establishing a Taxpayer Protection Act, limiting growth of the city's budget. He created the state's first "drug court" to speed prosecutions. He established the Mayor's International Cabinet, a predecessor to the Charlotte International Cabinet.<ref>[https://www.charlottenc.gov/international-relations/business/Pages/Award-Categories-.aspx City of Charlotte: International Relations]</ref> A national magazine named him Municipal Leader of the Year. Vinroot decided against running for a third term in order to focus full-time on his first run for North Carolina governor in [[1996 North Carolina gubernatorial election|1996]]. Vinroot lost in a close primary to then-state representative [[Robin Hayes]] of [[Kannapolis, North Carolina|Kannapolis]]. Hayes went on to lose the general election to incumbent governor [[Jim Hunt]]. | ||
Vinroot ran again for governor in [[2000 North Carolina gubernatorial election|2000]], and secured the Republican nomination over state representative [[N. Leo Daughtry]]. He faced North Carolina's attorney general, [[Mike Easley]], in a bitterly contested election. Despite a favorable national Republican tide that won North Carolina for [[George W. Bush]], Democrat Mike Easley won by 52% to 46%, and succeeded fellow Democrat Jim Hunt as governor. In the closing weeks of the race, actor [[Andy Griffith]] filmed an ad endorsing Easley, which some observers believe led to Easley's victory, called the "Mayberry Miracle".<ref> | Vinroot ran again for governor in [[2000 North Carolina gubernatorial election|2000]], and secured the Republican nomination over state representative [[N. Leo Daughtry]]. He faced North Carolina's attorney general, [[Mike Easley]], in a bitterly contested election. Despite a favorable national Republican tide that won North Carolina for [[George W. Bush]], Democrat Mike Easley won by 52% to 46%, and succeeded fellow Democrat Jim Hunt as governor. In the closing weeks of the race, actor [[Andy Griffith]] filmed an ad endorsing Easley, which some observers believe led to Easley's victory, called the "Mayberry Miracle".<ref name="NewsObserverUnderTheDome">{{cite web |date= |title=“The Mayberry Miracle” |url=http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/the_mayberry_miracle |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=News & Observer |publisher=The News & Observer}}</ref> | ||
In [[2004 North Carolina gubernatorial election|2004]], Vinroot attempted a third run for governor, but never made it past the Republican primary. He conceded the race to [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]] State Senator [[Patrick J. Ballantine]], who lost to Easley in November, 55.62% to 42.88%. | In [[2004 North Carolina gubernatorial election|2004]], Vinroot attempted a third run for governor, but never made it past the Republican primary. He conceded the race to [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]] State Senator [[Patrick J. Ballantine]], who lost to Easley in November, 55.62% to 42.88%. | ||
Since his retirement from politics, Vinroot has served on the boards of Martin-Marietta Materials, Inc. and the | Since his retirement from politics, Vinroot has served on the boards of Martin-Marietta Materials, Inc. and the North Carolina Institute for Emerging Issues. He also was appointed to the search committee for the next chancellor of the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]] in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WRAL |date=2012-09-27 |title=UNC-CH sets up chancellor search committee |url=https://www.wral.com/story/unc-ch-sets-up-chancellor-search-committee/11598564/ |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=WRAL.com |language=en}}</ref> | ||
==Legal practice== | ==Legal practice== | ||
Revision as of 06:18, 18 June 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters". Richard A. Vinroot (born April 14, 1941) is an American politician and attorney from Charlotte, North Carolina. He served as the 52nd Mayor of Charlotte from 1991 to 1995. Vinroot ran unsuccessfully for Governor of North Carolina in 1996, 2000 and 2004. The City of Charlotte's Richard Vinroot International Achievement Award is named in his honor.[1]
Early life
The son of a Swedish immigrant, Richard Vinroot was raised in Mecklenburg County schools, becoming student body president at East Mecklenburg High School, where he graduated from in 1959. He was a high school athlete in three sports and captained the basketball and football teams. He won a Morehead Scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1963 and a Juris Doctor degree in 1966. He served as class president in his junior and senior years. Vinroot's height is billed at 6'7", and he played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels under Dean Smith.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Vinroot married his wife Judy (Allen) Vinroot, whom he met while both were students at University of North Carolina. They have three children, Richard Vinroot Jr., Laura Vinroot Poole, and Katy Vinroot O'Brien, all of whom graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill.[2]
Military
From January 1967 to 1968, he was in the United States Army where he served in the 1st Signal Brigade. After basic training at Fort Bragg, he was stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina for six months.[3] In November 1967, he deployed to Vietnam during the Vietnam War and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". While in Vietnam, he did legal assistance as part of the Judge Advocate Department of the 1st Signal Brigade.[3]
Political career
Vinroot was a member of the Charlotte City Council from 1983 to 1991 and served as mayor of Charlotte from 1991 to 1995. As mayor, Vinroot was successful in establishing a Taxpayer Protection Act, limiting growth of the city's budget. He created the state's first "drug court" to speed prosecutions. He established the Mayor's International Cabinet, a predecessor to the Charlotte International Cabinet.[4] A national magazine named him Municipal Leader of the Year. Vinroot decided against running for a third term in order to focus full-time on his first run for North Carolina governor in 1996. Vinroot lost in a close primary to then-state representative Robin Hayes of Kannapolis. Hayes went on to lose the general election to incumbent governor Jim Hunt.
Vinroot ran again for governor in 2000, and secured the Republican nomination over state representative N. Leo Daughtry. He faced North Carolina's attorney general, Mike Easley, in a bitterly contested election. Despite a favorable national Republican tide that won North Carolina for George W. Bush, Democrat Mike Easley won by 52% to 46%, and succeeded fellow Democrat Jim Hunt as governor. In the closing weeks of the race, actor Andy Griffith filmed an ad endorsing Easley, which some observers believe led to Easley's victory, called the "Mayberry Miracle".[5]
In 2004, Vinroot attempted a third run for governor, but never made it past the Republican primary. He conceded the race to Wilmington State Senator Patrick J. Ballantine, who lost to Easley in November, 55.62% to 42.88%.
Since his retirement from politics, Vinroot has served on the boards of Martin-Marietta Materials, Inc. and the North Carolina Institute for Emerging Issues. He also was appointed to the search committee for the next chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012.[6]
Legal practice
Vinroot's legal practice at the Charlotte-based firm of Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson concentrates in the areas of civil litigation including construction, labor, employment discrimination, and commercial disputes and controversies.[7]
Richard Vinroot International Achievement Award
The Richard Vinroot International Achievement Award is presented by the City of Charlotte to recognize those who "have worked for the continued internationalization of Charlotte... contributed to efforts to improve the international community... and have a record of outstanding service to the greater Charlotte community." Recipients are chosen by the Mayor of Charlotte and the award is presented annually at the Mayor's International Community Awards event each spring. Recipients have included prominent leaders in government, non-profits, and academia.[8]
Notes
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b "Interview with Richard Vinroot", interviewed by Charlton Allen on October 31 and November 21, 1994, Law School Oral History Project, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, page 25 (interview number J-0052 in the Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007) at The Southern Historical Collection, The Louis Round Wilson Special Collections Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill).
- ↑ City of Charlotte: International Relations
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Robinson Bradshaw law firm biography
- ↑ City of Charlotte: Mayor's International Community Awards
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- Template:C-SPAN
- Richard Vinroot papers - Finding Aid at the University of North Carolina Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
- Pages with script errors
- 1941 births
- 20th-century mayors of places in North Carolina
- Living people
- American men's basketball players
- American people of Swedish descent
- Basketball players from North Carolina
- Candidates in the 2000 United States elections
- Mayors of Charlotte, North Carolina
- North Carolina Republicans
- North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball players
- United States Army soldiers
- United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War
- Phi Delta Theta members
- 20th-century American sportsmen