03/28/2024
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The chairman of the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, A.D. Zander Guy, Jr., named Terrance Merriweather as deputy director of the Commission effective Sept. 17.  Merriweather, the former head of the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Branch of the State Bureau of Investigation, will assist the ABC administrator with the day-to-day operations of the ABC Commission, including direct oversight of the permit and audit divisions.

“Terrance Merriweather is well-versed in the mission and functions of the ABC Commission; he has proven to be a strong manager and effective problem-solver,” Guy said. “We welcome Terrance’s knowledge, experience, and proven leadership related to the state’s important regulation of all alcoholic beverages in North Carolina.”

After graduating from Pontiac Central High School (Michigan) in 1993, Merriweather joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Bragg for three years.  He then graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Training at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford.  Merriweather is a graduate of Liberty University (Lynchburg, Va.) with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice.

Wanting to make a difference in the lives of young people, Merriweather became a school resource officer and certified DARE instructor, serving both the Harnett County and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Offices for six years.  Merriweather attended the State Bureau of Investigation’s DARE certification school where he was recognized as the Most Outstanding Team Member.

Merriweather joined ALE as a special agent in 2003 because of the agency’s commitment to preventing underage drinking and smoking.  In 2010, he became head of the North Carolina Boxing Authority, a receipt-supported, regulatory agency that was struggling to stay afloat financially.   Without cutting services, Merriweather initiated a number of measures that put the agency in the black and grew the state’s boxing program into a national model.

Merriweather was promoted to ALE branch head in May of 2017.

“I have witnessed Branch Head Merriweather’s passion to serve the citizens of North Carolina by making our state safer through education, prevention, and enforcement activities of the Alcohol Law Enforcement Branch,” said SBI Director Bob Schurmeier. “I am confident he will demonstrate a similar passion as he begins a new chapter with the ABC Commission.”

“It’s what we all believe in – protecting today’s youth and preserving tomorrow’s future,” Merriweather said. “I strongly believe in doing everything we can for the betterment of our citizens.  We can really make a difference.”

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