THE HON. H. MARTIN LANCASTER
Former Member of Congress

Highlights

• Eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives
• Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) and Advisor to the President on Chemical Weapons
• Eleven years as President of the North Carolina Community College System   

 

Biography

In 2009, former Congressman Martin Lancaster joined Dawson & Associates, bringing more than three decades experience in dealing with environmental, educational and public works issues.

Following eight years in the North Carolina House of Representatives, Mr. Lancaster served from l987 to l995 in the U.S. Congress, representing North Carolina’s Third Congressional District which included most of North Carolina’s coastal counties and most of the counties hosting military bases.  During his Congressional service, he became widely respected for his work on the Armed Services, Small Business and Merchant Marine & Fisheries Committees.
  
In 1995, Congressman Lancaster’s experience in military and waterway issues prompted, President Bill Clinton to appoint him to be the U.S. Army’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Works, a position Mr. Lancaster held until 1997.  Among major initiatives during his tenure were beginning the restoration of the Everglades, improving relations with Native American Tribes, dealing with fisheries issues in the Northwest and dealing with several natural disasters.

In 1997, Mr. Lancaster became President of the North Carolina Community College System, serving until May 2008.  A $600 million bond issue passed under his leadership led to the largest building boom in the System’s history.  Community colleges gained significantly in public and legislative respect and support as a result of the System’s effectively addressing the retraining of North Carolina’s tobacco, textile and furniture workforce to become fully engaged in biotechnology and other knowledge/high technology industries. 

Prior to his election to Congress, Mr. Lancaster was a Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives (1979-87) where he chaired the Judiciary Committee and was considered one of the most effective legislators during his tenure.

Since returning to North Carolina Congressman Lancaster has provided leadership on  many government and public-private commissions including the North Carolina Economic Development Board, the North Carolina Agency for Public Telecommunications and the North Carolina Rural Development Council.

He has an A.B. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law.

 
Other highlights

• Chair, National Council of State Directors of Community Colleges (2003-2004)
• Awarded the Silver deFleury Medal, Army Engineer Association (1997)
• North Carolina Chamber Distinguished Public Service Award (2008)
• North Carolina 4-H Life-time Achievement Award (2006)
• UNC Law School Distinguished Alumnus Award (l985)
• UNC School of Education Peabody Award for Distinguished Service to Education  (2008)