New Hanover County Schools financial officer receives state-wide award

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. (WWAY) — The North Carolina Association of School Business Officials named Ashley Sutton as the 2026 recipient of the Lou Thompson Distinguished Service Award.

Sutton currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for New Hanover County Schools.

With more than twenty years of experience in auditing and school finance, Sutton has built a career grounded in integrity, strategic vision, and dedicated service to North Carolina school districts.

After earning her M.S. in Accounting at UNCW, Sutton began her career in auditing before joining New Hanover County Schools, where she has since risen through multiple leadership positions.

She later served as C.F.O. for Duplin County Schools, earning an Outstanding Leadership Award, and was recognized as SASBO’s Emerging Leader in 2018.

She then returned to the New Hanover County School System.

The school system says Sutton’s influence extends far beyond budgets and balance sheets, her work helps ensure stability, and opportunity for the school communities which she serves.