Jeff Thigpen was elected Guilford County Register of Deeds in 2004. Previously, Jeff served on the Guilford County Board of Commissioners from 1998- 2004.

As a former commissioner, Jeff had a passion for public education and best practices in county government. As Register of Deeds, Jeff’s office is known for outstanding technology, organizational transformation, and customer service. Jeff brought national attention to his office as a leading advocate for holding the financial industry accountable for fraud and forgery in public land records through the practice of robo-signing. He has sought to be an innovator through “value-added” services including Slave Deeds Research, Thank a Vet, Passport Services, and The Lance Cpl. Christopher Phoenix “Jacob Levy Flag Retirement Initiative. 

To be a leader in your community, Jeff believes you must work in your communities. He’s been on the Boards of Communities in Schools, Triad Highland Games, Piedmont Interfaith Council, Other Voices through the Greensboro Area Chamber of Commerce, Guilford County Coalition on Infant Mortality and Greensboro Economic Development Council.

He’s served on numerous County Government Appointed Committees: Efficiencies, Human Services Consolidation, Strategic Long Range, County Manager’s Selection, Board of Education/Commissioners Joint Committee, Juvenile Crime Prevention, Mental Health, and Parks and Recreation.

Jeff is also a certified mediator with the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission.

Mr. Thigpen grew up in a small farming community outside of Burgaw in southeastern North Carolina. Jeff is a 1993 graduate of Guilford College with a B.A. in Political Science and B.S. in Justice and Policy Studies. He received a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Public Affairs from UNC-Greensboro in 1998. He’s a recipient of Forty Leaders under 40 by the Triad Business Journal and UNC-G Bryan School of Business. Jeff is author of the book “On Point”—The Voices and Values of the Young Elected Officials published by Polar Bear and Company in Salon, Maine. He’s also a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greensboro.

He is married to Michelle Coughlin Thigpen and has two children, Elle and Aiden.