Joseph P. “Joe” McGuire, chair of Givens Communities board of directors, has been inducted into The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian award recognizing public service.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is given by the Governor to persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments. The award was presented to Joe during ceremonies on Dec. 6 in Asheville.

President Emeritus of the legal firm McGuire, Wood and Bissette, Joe has made a lifelong commitment to civic engagement and community involvement.

Joe is a member on the boards of Leadership Asheville Forum and Blue Ridge Public Radio, and serves as an usher and Sunday School teacher at his church.

Givens Communities is a nonprofit senior living organization in Western North Carolina, with four distinct campuses, outreach and partnerships. During his tenure on our board, there has been expansion of residential homes and services, accreditation of financial stability and high creditworthiness ratings, and significant gains in inclusivity and diversity of residents and team members.

Joe obtained his bachelor’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and his law degree from Harvard Law School. The Joseph P. McGuire First Year Seminar on Critical Thinking at UNC-Chapel Hill is named for him.