George Briggs, executive director of The North Carolina Arboretum, has been selected to receive the Frank B. Turner award at the state construction conference in Raleigh today, February 19, 2008. Briggs is the 26th recipient of this prestigious award from the State Construction Office of the N.C. Department of Administration.

Given annually since 1983, the award recognizes a state government employee who has made an outstanding professional contribution to the built environment, as exemplified by the professional life of Frank B. Turner. The award will be presented to Briggs by the N.C. chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the N.C. chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Consulting Engineers Council of N.C., and the Professional Engineers Council of N.C.

Briggs’ long-standing commitment to professionalism, public service, and leadership in the planning and preservation of our environment qualified him to join the body of distinguished past recipients of the award. Last year’s recipient was William “Bill” Davis, assistant director of the State Construction Office Design Review Section.

Briggs also recently received the lifetime designation of Fellow awarded by the American Society of Landscape Architects.

An affiliate of The University of North Carolina, the Arboretum continues to provide educational, economic, and cultural benefit to the region and state. For more information, call 828-665-2492.