Grier went on to use his degree in the service of small businesses and non-profits. He also married fellow North Carolina native Louise Porter Martin and became the proud father of a daughter, Sara Louise, who is now ten.

After our country was attacked on September 11, 2001 Grier volunteered for active duty, serving at Ft. Bragg and in the war in Afghanistan in 2002-2003. After two years of active duty, Grier once again answered the call to public service and was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2004.

Beyond the legislature Grier currently serves on the board of the NC Center for Voter Education. He served previously on the board of directors of Preservation North Carolina and the Afro-American Cultural Center (now The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African- American Arts + Culture). He is also a former Sunday school teacher at White Memorial Presbyterian Church. In the Army Reserve, he currently serves as a lieutenant colonel with an airborne unit at Ft. Bragg. He, Louise, and Sara have two cats.

Honors and Awards

NC School Counselor Association “Legislator of the Year” 2012

Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina “Legislator of the Year” 2012

NC Metro Mayors Coalition “Legislative Award” 2011 for work on transportation issues

Conservation Council of NC (League of Conservation Voters) “Defender of the Environment” 2010

National Guard Association of the US “Charles Dick Medal of Merit”

Brain Injury Association of NC “Our Hero Award” 2009

Democracy North Carolina “Sunshine Award” 2009 and 2011 for campaign finance transparency

Disabled American Veterans, Department of NC “Legislator of the Year” 2007

Pesticide Education Project’s (Toxic Free NC) “Legislative Leadership Award” 2006

Conservation Council of NC (League of Conservation Voters) “Freshman of the Year” 2006