Sheriff Alan Cloninger is a life long resident of Gaston County. His parents are Mary Jo and the late Polie Cloninger of Dallas. He is married to Cathy Mabry Cloninger. He is the father of Margaret Anne and stepfather of Shawna Barrett.
Alan received an Associate Degree from Gaston College in 1981, a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1983 and a Law Degree from Campbell University School of Law in 1988.
Alan served as a Law Enforcement Officer from 1978 to 1985, as a patrolman with the Dallas Police Department, and as a patrolman and sergeant with the Gaston County Police Department.
Alan worked as Assistant District Attorney for Gaston County from 1989 to 1991. He was a Partner for Funderburk, Gheen & Cloninger from 1991 to 1993. In 1994, he opened his own practice in Dallas, North Carolina until December of 2002.
Alan was appointed to the position of Major with the Gaston County Sheriff's Office, serving as the Jail Administrator by Sheriff Leroy Russell in December of 2002. He served as Jail Administrator until August 16, 2004 and then became the Sheriff of Gaston County, replacing retired Sheriff Russell.
CERTIFICATIONS:
- Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from North Carolina Sheriff’s Education Training Standards Commission
- Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the North Carolina State Criminal Justice of Education Standards Commission
- Detention Officer Certificated from the North Carolina Sheriff’s Education Training Standards Commission
- National Sheriff’s Institute Executive Level Management Education and Training
- Recipient of the Helen Rhyne Marvin Distinguished Service Award
- Licensed to Practice law in the State of North Carolina
- Former Emergency Management Technician
- North Carolina Certified Law Enforcement Officer
VOLUNTEER &COMMUNITY SERVICES:
- Holy Communion Lutheran Church
- Gaston Lodge No. 263A.F. & A.M.
- Carolina Consistory Scottish Rite
- Oasis Shrine Temple
- Gastonia East Rotary Club
- Charter Member of the Dallas Rescue Squad since 1974, serving as training officer, First Lieutenant, Captain, Squad Attorney Gaston County Law Enforcement Association, and Board of Director
- Alternative Community Penalties Program of Gaston County, served as President
- Member of Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC), Board of Director
- Cancer Services, Board of Directors
- Parks Commissioner of the Gaston County Parks and Recreation
- Gaston College Board of Trustee
- Past Member of Dallas Volunteer Fire Department
- Past President of Gaston County Ambulance Association
- Past President of Gaston County Bar Association
- Past Member of Dallas Jaycees
- Past President of Dallas Optimist
- Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), Board of Director
- Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, Advisory Board
- Gaston County Museum of Art and History, Board of Director and past Treasurer
- First Things First of Gaston County, Board of Director
www.votecloningerforsheriff.org
PAID FOR BY ALAN CLONINGER FOR SHERIFF
