Governor McCrory Announces Appointments to the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service
Press Release:
Raleigh, NC The Office of Governor Pat McCrory announced the following appointments today:
North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service
Ellen Whitlock (Guilford County) - Whitlock is the executive director of Senior Resources of Guilford. She is the past president of the North Carolina Association on Aging and the current president of the United Way of Greater Greensboro's Agency Executive Association and Salem Needlepoint Guild. Whitlock is the board chair of Beacon Management's Morehead Simpkins Project and a member of the Board of Visitors at High Point University, where she received her bachelor's degree. Whitlock will fill the seat of a representative of a national service program. She will serve as chairman of the commission.
Michael Patterson (Mecklenburg County) - Patterson is the emergency disaster services director for the Salvation Army of the North and South Carolina Division. He is a member of the Contingency Planning Association of the Carolinas, the North Carolina Emergency Management Association, North Carolina's State Emergency Response Team, South Carolina Emergency Management Association and South Carolina's State Emergency Response Team. He received his bachelor's degrees in music and education from Queen's University at Kingston in Ontario, Canada. Patterson will fill the seat of an expert in the delivery of human, educational, environment, homeland security or public safety services. He will serve as the vice-chair of the commission.
Jim Branch (Granville County) - Branch is a member of the corporate board of directors of Boys and Girls of North Central North Carolina, serving Granville, Vance, Franklin and Warren counties. He is a member of the executive committee of the Granville-Vance Faith Initiative for Community Action whose mission is to improve health, education and economic development in communities through coordinated congregation action. Branch will fill the seat of an expertise in the educational, training and developmental needs of youth, particularly disadvantaged youth.
Virginia Brewer (Nash County) - Brewer is currently serving, or has served in the past, as a board member and/or board chairman for the Friends of the Children's Museum, Boys and Girls Club, Rocky Mount Academy, UNC-Wilmington Foundation, Junior Guild of Rocky Mount, and Reach Out Rocky Mount. She was a school teacher for the Nash County School System, Nash-Rocky Mount School System and Rocky Mount Academy. Brewer received her bachelor's degree in education from UNC-Wilmington. Brewer will fill the seat of experienced in promoting the involvement of older adults in service and volunteerism.
Robert Clark (Forsyth County)- Clark is the president and CEO of Leesona Corporation in Burlington. He is a member of the Winston-Salem City Council and serves on the board for the Data Max Foundation and Crosby Scholars. Clark received his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of the South and his master's degree in finance from the University of Pennsylvania. Clark will fill the seat of a representative from local governments in the state.
Tammy Cobb (Alamance County) - Cobb is the assistant director for community partnerships in the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement at Elon University in Burlington. She volunteers in leadership roles with the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Alamance, Piedmont Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross and United Way of Alamance County. She is a graduate of Elon University. Cobb will fill the seat of an expert in the delivery of human, educational, environment, homeland security or public safety services.
Frank Fiorella (Mecklenburg County) - Fiorella is the child nutrition director for Cabarrus County schools. Prior to that, he was the children nutrition director for Montgomery County schools. He has held various positions in food and nutrition services in school systems in Colorado, California and New Jersey. He received his bachelor's degree in food service management from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. Fiorella also has an associate's degree in culinary arts. He will fill the seat of a member selected among local educators.
Beth Hunnicut (Wake County) - Hunnicut is the administrator of the Benevolence Ministries at a local church. She and her volunteer staff counsel and administer funds to more than 200 at-risk families in the Garner community each year. She is also active in Community of Hope Ministries, a non-profit ministry for at-risk children and their families. She has led international musical, medical, dental and construction mission teams to multiple countries. Hunnicut received her bachelor of music degree from Meredith College. She will fill the seat of a representative of the faith community.
Cynthia Phifer (Alamance County) - Phifer has been employed by United Guaranty since 2009. Prior to that, she was an AmeriCorps member at The Servant Center's Partnership to End Homelessness in Greensboro. Her volunteer experience includes serving at Elon University, Elon Homes for Children and the Alamance Burlington School System. Phifer received an associate degree in business administration from Alamance Community College. She will fill the seat of a representative from the volunteer sector.
Dr. Stephanie Smith (New Hanover County) - Dr. Smith is the director of community engagement and impact in the College of Health and Human Services at UNC-Wilmington. Dr. Smith retired from the US Air Force in 2007. In addition to her current administrative role, she teaches in the school of nursing and the Department of Public & International Affairs. She earned her Ph.D. from Auburn University. Dr. Smith will fill the seat of a representative of the military or veterans.
Amy White (Wake County) - White has spent more than 20 years as an advocate for children and families, making sure children have the opportunities to access the skills they need to be successful in the global workplace. She has been a social studies teacher in Forsyth County, served on the Wake County School Board and worked at the Garner Chamber of Commerce. White has served as the chair of the Garner Educational Foundation and is the executive director of Community of Hope Ministries. She will fill the seat of a representative of a community-based, nonprofit agency or organization within the state.
Debora Williams (Wake County) - Williams is the special assistant for graduation and dropout prevention initiatives for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. She is the state advisor for the North Carolina Future Business Leaders of America and member of the National Business Education Association Annual Conference Planning Committee. She received her bachelor's degree in comprehensive business education and her master's degree in education administration from Fayetteville State University. Williams will fill the seat of the superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction, or designee.
Frank Williams (Brunswick County) - Williams is the president of Pioneer Strategies, a marketing communication firm he founded in August 2001, which provides small and mid-sized businesses, nonprofits and other organizations with marketing advice and services. He serves as a county commissioner in Brunswick County. He has served on the boards of directors for Communities in Schools of Brunswick County, the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce and as president of the Leland Area Rotary Club. Williams will fill the seat of a representative of business.
Jarrod Lowery (Robeson County) - Lowery is a community outreach liaison in the Office of Community and Citizen Services in the Governor's Office. He is a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. He served six years as a tank technician in the US Marine Corps reserve. He received his bachelor's degree in political science, with a minor in history, from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. While attending Pembroke, he was a student service leader with the Office of Community and Civic Engagement. Lowery will fill the seat of a designee from the Governor's Office and will be a non-voting member.
Betty Platt (Wake County) - Platt serves as North Carolina's state program director for the Corporation for National and Community Service. She previously worked as the senior program officer in the AmeriCorps State program in Washington, D.C. She received her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Vermont. Platt will fill the seat of a representative from the Corporation for National and Community Service. She will serve as a non-voting member.
Arlene Wouters (Wake County) - Wouters is a former teacher, school administrator and lifelong advocate for children and families. She is a graduate of Temple University receiving a dual master's degree in special education and reading. Wouters joined CISNC (Communities in Schools) in 1990. In January 2000, Wouters accepted a position with the CIS National Office as director of the office of the states, then director of state and field support. In June 2008, she returned to the CISNC State Office in Raleigh as director of developing communities. Wouters will fill the seat of a designee from the director of the Department of Public Instruction's Learn and Serve. She will serve as a non-voting member.
The commission encourages and recognizes community service and volunteer participation as a means of community and state problem-solving; promotes and supports voluntary citizen engagement in government and private programs throughout the state; develops a long-term, comprehensive vision and plan of action for community service initiatives in North Carolina; and serves as the state's liaison to national and state organizations that support its mission. The term length is at the pleasure of the governor, with three year terms.
Contact: Crystal Feldman
govpress@nc.gov
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