N. Leo Daughtry joined the N.C. Board of Transportation in July 2022 and serves as an at-large member.
Daughtry is a former North Carolina politician for over two decades, and a retired law partner and founding member of the Daughtry, Woodard, Lawrence, & Starling law firm in Smithfield. Since founding the law firm in 1969, he has led the firm, which now boasts 20 staff members, including nine attorneys. Daughtry served as a judge advocate general with the U.S. Air Force from 1966 to 1969.
Daughtry became active in politics in 1976 and was elected to the North Carolina Senate representing Johnston County in 1989. He has served in both houses of the North Carolina General Assembly and has had stints as the N.C. House majority and minority leader. Daughtry served 28 years in the state legislature until he retired in 2017.
Daughtry was also involved with Johnston County public schools, the Johnston County’s Chamber of Commerce, the Boy Scouts of America and many other civic organizations.
Born in Newton Grove, Daughtry has lived in Johnston County most of his life. He has bachelor’s and law degrees from the Wake Forest University. Daughtry and his wife, Helen, live in Smithfield and have twin daughters and three grandchildren.