Richard Perkins, executive vice president of Rowan Business Alliance, has died suddenly, according to Summersett Funeral Home.
Details are not yet available.
Originally from Burlington, Perkins graduated from Catawba College and worked for the Belk department store organization more than 20 years. He served as Granite Quarry mayor and alderman.
Perkins became head of the Rowan business organization in 1997, when it was still named the Salisbury-Rowan Merchants Association, and spearheaded its transition to Rowan Business Alliance.
He resigned from the Granite Quarry town board in 1998 when he and his wife, Marie, moved to Salisbury.
Summersett Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.