John F. Burns, known to most folks as Johnny, was honored Thursday night with the Southern Pines Rotary Club's Felton J. Capel Four-Way Test Award at the 69th annual installation banquet.

The banquet was held at Mid Pines Golf Club.

The award is given to an individual who conducts himself or herself in a way that reflects the club's "Four-Way Test," which says:

"Of the things we think, say, or do...

"Is it the truth?

"Is it fair to all concerned?

"Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

"Will it be beneficial to all concerned?"

Attorney Steven Gaydica read the information that introduced the winner, and Felton Capel, the member for whom the award is named, made the presentation to Burns.

"I thank the club, especially Bill Samuels," said Burns. "He has been my mentor and an example to me. I'm very honored."

Samuels, the CEO of First Federal, commented that Burns was a quick learner who pushed for new ways of doing business.

"The best thing that ever happened to me at the bank was hiring John Burns," he said.

Burns was born in Rochester, N.Y., but moved to Aberdeen when he was a year old. His mother, Catherine McNeill Burns, was a member of the McNeill Oil Company family.

A product of the Aberdeen Schools, Burns played basketball and football at Aberdeen High School, where he was the quarterback for four years. The team was runner-up for the state championship his junior year.

An Eagle Scout, he was chosen as student of the year by the Sandhills Kiwanis Club during his senior year at Aberdeen High.

Burns earned a bachelor's degree in business education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is also a 1982 graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at LSU.

After working a couple of years in the business department at Pinecrest High School, Burns took a position with First Federal Savings and Loan of Moore County and has remained there ever since, eventually becoming president. In 2000, First Federal merged with First Bank of North Carolina, and Burns became executive vice president of First Bank and First Bancorp, as well as a director.

Active in the community, Burns was a co-founder of the Aberdeen Jaycees, a member of the Sandhills Kiwanis Club (president from 1996-97), president and chairman of the United Way of Moore County, served on the Moore County School Board and as a trustee of the board of directors of St. Joseph of the Pines.

A member of Bethesda Presbyterian Church, in Aberdeen, he has served as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, deacon, elder, Clerk of the Session and chairman of numerous committees.

Burns and his wife, Carolyn, live in Southern Pines. Son, John Edward Burns, also a banker, lives in Oxford, and daughter, Laura, a pharmacist, resides in Atlanta, Ga. Burns has three stepchildren, Melissa, Allison, and Michael, as well as six grandchildren.

The evening included a silent auction of Final Four memorabilia as well as vocal entertainment by Glenn Davis.

Several members were recognized for their service, and new officers and directors were installed by David McCoy and Henry Brown, both past district governors.

They include Jeff Gilbert, president; Jan Powell, president-elect; Bill Snelgrove, secretary; Dianne Barrett, treasurer; Al Wakeman, director, club service; Carol Haney, director, community service; John Letteney, director, vocational service; Kit McKinley, director, international service; David Zmiewsky, director, at large, and Tom West, past president.

Contact Faye Dasen at fdasen@thepilot.com or 693-2745.