Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston is kind of a bizarro Donald Trump: He’s at the other end of the political spectrum but, like Trump, he always gets his way and his fellow Democrats on the Board of Commissioners (almost) never vote against him on anything.
So, Alston – the most powerful political leader in Guilford County – doesn’t need any more power, but he just got a bump in that category anyway. He has been selected to serve as the vice chairman of the North Carolina Real Estate Commission, and that means it’s almost certain he’ll become that commission’s chairman again next year – a role he held nearly two decades ago.
Apparently-Board-of-Commissioners-Chairman-for-Life Alston is currently serving his ninth term as chairman of the county board – more than anyone else in Guilford County history. There’s a very good chance he’ll still have that job in 2026 so he may be chair of both boards simultaneously next year.
Alston, a licensed real estate broker since 1982 and the founder of The Alston Realty Group, previously served on the NC Real Estate Commission from 2003 to 2009. He was appointed back then by the Speaker of the House, and during that earlier stint, he was elected chairman in both 2007 and 2008.
He was reappointed to the Commission in late 2024 by former NC Governor Roy Cooper, and now, in no time, he’s back in a leadership role.
“I was especially honored to be chosen this time because it was an entirely new group of people,” Alston told the Rhino Times.
He said it means a lot to be selected for a leadership position by colleagues who didn’t serve with him during his first time around.
The NC Real Estate Commission is the state’s licensing and regulatory body for real estate brokers. It oversees education requirements and testing, issues and renews licenses, handles disciplinary cases and sets the rules that govern professional real estate conduct across North Carolina. The commission also investigates complaints, protects consumers from fraud and abuse and it plays a central role in maintaining the integrity of the state’s real estate market.
Alston said that, after decades in the real estate field, he felt a call to serve again in a leadership capacity.
“I’ve been in this business for 43 years,” Alston said, adding that it was a major part of his life and that he had enjoyed serving as vice chair and chair of the real estate commission previously.
The commission is made up of nine members, including both industry professionals and members of the public. Members are appointed by the governor, the House Speaker, and the President Pro Tem of the Senate. The commission typically elects its officers – including the vice chair and chair – on an annual basis.
Alston said he doesn’t expect his new duties to conflict with his many other obligations.
“I’ve got the time,” he said, when asked how he plans to balance it all.
He said that even though chairing the Guilford County Board of Commissioners is a demanding job, and even though he remains active in his real estate business and other ventures, he’s happy to make the time to serve.
A Durham native and graduate of North Carolina Central University, Alston has served on the Guilford County Board of Commissioners for over 27 years.
He’s also a Diamond-Life Member of the NAACP and a former president of the North Carolina NAACP.
Alston also spends a lot of his time helping run the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, which he co-founded.
Please do not compare Skip with Trump. Horrible! Trump hurts people.
Lol, Skip helps Skip. Duh!
Skip also hurts people with his waste of Guilford county money for his little pet projects.
BS, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Alston has been in my pocket for years.
Cheryl, The Don sure hurt the Iranians who constantly chant, DEATH TO AMERICA! President Trump sure put the hurt on Irans ambitions for nuclear weapons! Just FYI… unlike the ho ho hey hey from the purple haired snowflakes ❄️ here in our streets, those Muslim Extremist are speaking from the depths of their soul. As for your hero Skip Alston, he hasn’t helped me… nor does he speak of making positive changes for me. I for one would like to know… what has Skip done to create positive change here in the many years of public “service’? Sounds like ol creepy Uncle Joe Biden… 50 years of public disservice.
Poor Cheryl. You just don’t understand PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP. PRESIDENT TRUMP is saving America and lowering taxes. PRESIDENT TRUMP is helping to pay down the national debt using income from tariffs. EVERY SINGLE DEMOCRAT VOTED AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP’S BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL WHICH KEEPS TAXES LOW. If the democrats had been successful in stopping this bill, EVERY SINGLE TAXPAYER WOULD HAVE SEEN A 67% TAX HIKE! Apparently you must have a ton of money to be able to afford a 67% INCREASE IN YOUR TAXES. If you do, good for you. Maybe you own a business. Good for you. HOWEVER as President (Barry) Barack Hussian Obama once said…’You didn’t build that on your own.’ So don’t pat yourself on your back for the success everyone else helped you achieve.
A June 6 2024 Rhino Times article states “Democratic-Led Board has increased County Budget $200 Million in Four Years.” That does NOT INCLUDE the $100+ million COVID dollars Guilford received. Ole skippy and the democrat controlled County Commissioners raised their salaries by 50% a few years ago. The democrat controlled County board is now trying to raise sales tax for-what is it-the 8th time! Ole skippy once said that people from outside Guilford County would pay most of the taxes because they come here to shop. I guess ole skippy thinks there are no grocery, home improvement, clothing or shopping centers in other counties. That shows a true ignorance of where people shop. Not to mention that a sales tax will hurt people with middle and low incomes far more than it will hurt higher income people. PEOPLE HAVE REJECTED THIS DEMOCRAT SPONSORED TAX HIKE EVERY TIME THEY TRY IT. In 2024 during the property reassessment, I told ole skippy Guilford had the HIGHEST PERCENTAGE TAX HICK IN THE ENTIRE US. Ole skippy quickly quickly pointed out that it was the SECOND HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY. I guess he is tired of being number 2.
Then we have the $1.7 BILLION in school bonds that ole skippy and the democrat controlled school board lied about to trick voters into approving the bonds. Even a democrat Wake County judge said the county and school board illegally colluded in their efforts to get voter approved. But, as the democrat judge said, their efforts tricked more than 60% of voters to approve the bonds so he let it stand. REPUBLICAN ALAN BRANSON spent his own money trying to prevent taxpayers from being on the hook for over $3 BILLION dollars taxpayers must pay to repay the bonds. Once approved, bonds must be spent within 10 years and repaid within 20 years of when the money is spent. So-o-o, a baby BORN TODAY, will be 30+years old with a family of their own and will STILL BE PAYING for the bonds. Not exactly a good ‘generational gift’ to your children and grandchildren.
DEMOCRATS ARE EXPERTS IN TAXING AND SPENDING. REPUBLICANS ARE EXPERTS IN KNOWING HOW TO LIVE WITHIN THEIR MEANS. You know, a budget. To democrats, the word budget is a 4 letter word.
VOTE REPUBLICANS FOR EVERY OFFICE IN EVERY ELECTION. THIS IS ONLY WAY TO KEEP YOU, YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN FROM ENDING UP IN THE POOR HOUSE.
Just curious- how much money has the county given the International Civil Rights Center and Museum this year? If any, I sincerely hope Mr. Alston is not involved in any way with grants or discussion among other county commissioners because it is a clear conflict of interest.
The county gave the museum $200,000 this year as part of a five-year plan to give it $1 million. Alston does not participate in the discussions or the vote at the meetings.
LOL! Nonetheless, Skippy’s minions know they need to take care of Skippy or else.
You’re crazy and a fool
Scott,
Don’t you mean ‘Alston does not OPENLY participate in the discussions or the vote at the meetings’.
Please Scott, we may have been born at night, but not last night.
You are right that Skip always counts the votes to make sure he has them even if he does not participate in that portion of the meeting.
That’s called putting the squeeze on the voting commissioners. Skippy is good at that. He does not hesitate to squeeze any group when he needs money or support. Any NAACP member knows the game. Inuendoes that are thinly veiled threats are used to achieve objectives.
Skip doesn’t have to Scott ol’ Skip has these folks in his pocket right between his very worn race card and a not so worn but well used white guilt card… (and a dumbacrat majority) . As for a conflict of interest, you can’t get much more conflicts that controlling property values (tax values) and selling real estate. As for the unprofitable waste of taxpayers money pit, any upstanding and forthright real estate agent would advise the owners of such a losing proposition to SELL! SELL!SELL! But if that same real estate agent we’re making money off the losses of others (the taxpayers of Guilford County) WHY SELL.? The Taxpayers of Guilford County really should think about the consequences of their vote. And I won’t even mention the over 1MILLION DOLLARS Ol’Skip and his coconspirator Earl Jones had already snookered and squandered from the federal taxpayers.
You’re a journalist Scott! A real investigative journalist could , I’n my opinion, could most likely have a very profitable book publication revealing the truth and some real reconciliation… ha ha ha. WRITE THAT BOOK!
Because Skip Away with Your Money Alston has already told everybody what to do and how to vote so that’s why he removes himself. He already had it all planned and in place before the vote took part. That way he doesn’t look guilty. He knows exactly what he’s doing and how to steal the most money to put in his pocket.
Skip-the-Hyp: Why don’t your help everyone in the County by reducing the tax rate? Just for openers?
This is, of course, a Rheturitical question.
I’ve had a chance to see Skip Alston in action. He is very savvy in the ways of politics and enjoys his many rolls. Let’s see if Guilford wants to pay for his plans.
Doesn’t matter what taxpayers in Guilford Co think or want. Old Skippy always gets his way. Term limits would solve this problem!
Another opportunity to bend over. Get ready citizens as there will be no paybacks for you.
NO WE TAXPAYERS DO NOT WANT TO FUND SKIPPY’S PROJECTS!
It’s absolutely disgusting that this guy is on the way to doubling property taxes for all homeowners in Guilford county to fund his big spending plans. It’s even worse that all we can do is sit by and watch while he decides how to reappropriate our money to pay for his high flying projects.
Not that they’re much better, but we desperately need to elect Republicans to the Guilford county board of commissioners. Skippy and his buddies won’t ever stop spending until they run out of our money. The level of harm they cause to law abiding taxpayers is massive.
Supreme Board of Commissioners Chairman for Life
JQP,
The proper title is Supreme Board of COMMISSARS Chairman for Life.
All amateur swamp creatures.
Term limits for ALL political office holders. That is the only way to break the backs of political entrenchment.
Great Job Skippy! All we can hope for in Guilford County is that someone in Washington, DC recognizes your talents and takes you to the Swamp. I spent 1 hour and 10 minutes this morning on hold trying to get through to Guilford County Animal Control. Last time in order to contact Guilford County Animal Control I was on hold for over 40 minutes. Anybody have any idea how long it would take to have a call to our International Civil Rights Museum to be answered?
Great question Jim. But nobody is there!
Of course. Power and money is what all Democrats crave.
Conservatives and libertarians just want to be left alone to live their lives in peace.
Leftists want to control us and rob us.