During this time, his interest in politics also formed through his services as a page for the North Carolina Senate in 1971 and his selection to attend Boys State in 1973, where he was elected Mayor of his city.

[2] A Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa as a political science major in 1978 and received his Juris Doctor in 1981.

During his senior year of college, the chancellor presented him the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for best exemplifying "unselfish interest in the welfare of his fellow man" during his collegiate career.

While a law student, McIntyre served as one of North Carolina's youngest delegates at the 1980 Democratic National Convention in support of Jimmy Carter.

He worked closely with USDA Rural Development throughout his years in Congress to bring funding for town halls, public works facilities, day care centers, fire and rescue stations, police departments, courthouses, small businesses, housing assistance, health care facilities, hospitals and other public needs to southeastern North Carolina.

The commission awards grants to areas in need to fund projects that meet the criteria for community betterment, including infrastructure, education and training, entrepreneurship, and leadership development.

As the U.S. representative of many coastal communities, McIntyre was instrumental in securing over half a billion dollars in funding to ensure the beaches, waterways, inlets and ports of North Carolina's 7th district were adequately maintained.

[5] Working on legislation to support the nation's armed forces was of particular importance to McIntyre, who represented a district that initially was home to four major military bases, Camp Lejeune, New River Air Station, Fort Bragg, and Pope Air Force Base, as well as Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point, three Coast Guard stations and several National Guard armories.

McIntyre has always been a supporter of NASA and the space program, stating the following: "Not only does space exploration inspire and excite, but it also has numerous practical benefits to people everywhere: from GPS to pacemakers; from microwave ovens to highly advanced computing systems; from water purification to search and rescue missions; from cancer therapy to robotics; from lightweight, durable metals to power generation of energy and telecommunications; from solar cells and batteries to recycling and waste management.

Fascination with the vastness of God's creation and the make-up of the universe is a never-ending discovery that always inspires us and advances our ingenuity and imagination and increases greatly our education in so many fields of learning and human endeavor.

McIntyre was recognized with a pair of boxing gloves from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare because of his advocacy work on behalf of senior citizens.

He coached youth sports in Robeson County for several years in T-ball, baseball, football, and basketball, including three All-American Drug-Free teams.

He was a charter member of, and helped to incorporate, the Lumberton Youth Baseball Association, which has subsequently spawned several championship teams on the regional, state, and national levels.

His selection placed him among a unique group of sports celebrities such as Grant Hill, David Robinson, Mia Hamm, and Jeff Gordon.

In 2012, he earned his black belt in Taekwondo from Grand Master Jhoon Rhee, an instructor of boxing champion Muhammad Ali and martial arts star Bruce Lee.

Congressman McIntyre had a strong relationship with the African-American community, and he was one of only two congressmen known to both host and sponsor his own event in recognition of Black History Month.

Twice McIntyre successfully shepherded federal recognition bills through Congress, putting together a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, liberals, moderates and conservatives, after he personally lobbied his colleagues one-by-one.

The Seventh Congressional District Annual Youth Leadership Summit, which McIntyre organized and hosted, has been recognized by educators, young people and their parents alike.

[11] In addition, McIntyre was well known for his school volunteer work, which started when he first began his law career in 1981 when he organized the Robeson County Bar Association's Citizenship Education Committee.

He was recognized for his work with educators and youth prior to serving in Congress in 1989 with the Governor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service and during his congressional career with the North Carolina Parent – Teachers' Association (PTA) bestowing upon him an honorary life membership.

In 2020, McIntyre was selected to receive the Liberty Bell Award by the Young Lawyers Division of the North Carolina Bar Association for his "commitment to strengthening democracy and promoting civic engagement.

[30] On September 21, 2020, it was announced that McIntyre would join the Ward and Smith law firm as Senior Advisor for Government Relations and Economic Development.

He is based in the firm's Raleigh office and works on behalf of clients across North Carolina and in Washington, D.C.[31] The North Carolina State Bar Council awarded McIntyre the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award in January, 2021 in recognition for his efforts to enhance and strengthen legal education, to further the public's understanding of and confidence in the rule of law and the justice system, and to encourage professionalism among Bar members.

McIntyre was additionally commended for his significant contributions to assuring equal access to the judicial system and improving the quality of services rendered by the law profession.

[33] For this service to the University, his work while serving in Congress, and his dedication to improving the state of North Carolina, McIntyre was also one of that year's inductees into UNC's Order of the Golden Fleece, its oldest and highest honorary society.

[35] McIntyre was recently selected as the 2024 awardee of the H. Brent McKnight Renaissance Lawyer Award by the North Carolina Bar Association at its Annual Meeting in Charlotte.

The award recognizes practicing North Carolina attorneys who demonstrate the "Renaissance Lawyer" qualities embodied by Judge McKnight including "trustworthiness, respectful and courteous treatment of all people, enthusiasm for intellectual achievement and commitment to excellence in work, and service to the profession and community during a multi-faceted, accomplished life.

During the 2024 Annual Fall Conference of the North Carolina Beach, Inlet, and Waterway Association, McIntyre was presented with the organization's Hero of the Coast Award.

This award "recognizes individuals or organizations who exemplify determination, leadership, and passion in advancing the mission of protecting North Carolina's coastline.

"[37] As one of only three recipients ever of this award, McIntyre was recognized for his dedication to ensuring long-term coastal preservation in North Carolina communities throughout his congressional and post-congressional career.